CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - A newly approved Master of Arts in Teachingdegree in secondary education at the University of Northern Iowa adds another online pathway for working professionals ready to apply their skills to middle and high school classrooms.

The MAT degree is a 31- to 35-credit-hour graduate program offering graduates of non-teaching degree programs the ability to complete coursework that meets licensure requirements for teaching grades 5-12 in Iowa. It is another alternative to helping alleviate teacher shortages.

Students can apply now for the fully-online classes beginning in August. As part of the application process, a transcript review will help determine the necessary coursework to meet degree requirements.

"The addition of the master's in teaching reflects the growing interest we've experienced from graduates with other degrees who would like to switch to the teaching profession," says Benjamin Forsyth, College of Education associate dean of undergraduate studies and teacher education, who will oversee the new program. "This is a win-win, allowing future classrooms to benefit from the real-world experience these teachers will bring after we prepare them for careers as educators."

The new MAT program features graduate-level courses focused on methods of teaching, educator essentials and professional clinical experiences - the same foundation of the undergraduate program for UNI Teacher Education - along with any additional courses needed to meet Iowa licensure requirements.

The Master of Arts in Teaching adds to the alternative pathways to teaching offered by UNI, which also includes pathways to a bachelor's degree in teaching via the Purple Pathway for Paraeducators and online transfer programs for elementary education and early childhood education.

UNI also partners with University of Iowa and Iowa State University in the Regents' Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure (RAPIL) program, which offers another option to attain licensure to teach in grades 5-12.

Potential candidates for the master's degree can learn more at bit.ly/OnlineMAT25 .