MFA Department Begins 2021 with Multiple Triumphs
Converse is extremely proud of the following MFA students and graduates for their recent accomplishments. They were led by our illustrious MFA faculty members Susan Tekulve, Tyree Daye, and Denise …
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
The Master of Arts in Teaching program is available for adults holding a baccalaureate degree in a field other than education. The purpose of the initial certification program is to prepare graduate students to become well-qualified teachers by their completion of one of our State-approved education programs.
Students may select from the following programs:
- Art Education
- Early Childhood*
- Elementary Education
- Special Education: Intellectual disabilities
- Special Education: Learning disabilities
- Secondary: English, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies
- Middle level: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies
*Classes may be taken on the Converse campus or at our alternate location at the University Center of Greenville.
Program Details
The MAT is an on-campus program. It requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of work at the graduate level; however, some programs (such as elementary and special education) require additional courses in order to meet all state certification requirements. Programs are approved by the South Carolina State Department of Education and enjoy certification reciprocity with many other states. *Classes for the MAT in Early Childhood may be taken on the Converse campus or at our University Center of Greenville location.
MAT Benchmark Worksheets
For information on the general program requirements, please see the Initial Certification Program Requirements & Benchmarks page.
How to Apply
For consideration of admission, the applicant should have the following credentials:
- Graduation from an accredited college
- An overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for full admission
- A major undergraduate program appropriate for requested teaching area
- A completed application form online, including $40 application fee
- Two letters of recommendation (with at least one from an academic source)
- Official undergraduate transcripts from all colleges attended
- Competitive score on the Miller Analogies Test
- *A personal statement
MAT Art Education applicants must submit a digital portfolio of 10-15 works along with a listing of works/media, an artist statement and schedule an interview with the Coordinator of Art Education, Dr. Susanne Gunter. You may submit your portfolio and contact her at susanne.gunter@converse.edu.
*Converse College’s founder, Dexter Edgar Converse, held the ideal that Converse students “may be enabled to see clearly, decide wisely, and to act justly.” Please write a personal statement, approximately 250-300 words in length, on how your personal goals as an educator tie with the Converse concept of The “Ideal” Educator. In keeping with the Honor Tradition at Converse, your essay must be entirely your own work. Please be specific on how Converse can help you become the “Ideal” Educator, taking special care to organize your essay clearly and proofread your work. The personal statement should be submitted as a part of the application or emailed to the Office of Graduate Admission.
Deadlines for Completed Application and Materials
- July 15 (For Fall Admission, Converse College campus)
- December 15 (For Spring Admission, Converse College campus)
- For University Center of Greenville campus admission deadlines, contact graduate@converse.edu
*Converse Graduate Admission admits applicants on a rolling basis upon review of completed materials.
Cost & Financial Aid
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| 2020-2021 Tuition | $416/credit hour |
| Term Access Fee | $80 each Fall/Spring term; $50 each Jan/Summer term |
| Late Registration Fee | $50/term |
| Graduation Fee | $150 |
*Tuition and fees subject to change Learn about Financial Aid opportunities
See a comprehensive list of tuition and fees in the graduate academic catalog.
Kerry Harding
Master in Teaching, Elementary Education ’17 “I love the courses I’ve taken in the MAT program. One course that stands out in my mind is “Literature for the Child” with Dr. Julie Jones. While studying the different genres of children’s literature, each student read and summarized 100 children’s books. The class provided a chance to expand my worldview. As a graduate student, I also enjoyed the creative challenge of writing my own children’s book to share in class.”
Graduate Programs Spotlight
MFT Faculty Present at SC Counseling Conference
Dr. Morgan Strickland, Dr. Annika Karlsen, and Dr. Evan Thomas presented at the 2021 SCCA Annual Conference. Their presentation focused on adapting the Marriage and Family Therapy program due to …
Emily Walker ‘18: Keeping a Pulse on Healthcare with the MIM in Healthcare Management
Now, more than ever, skilled healthcare professionals are needed in the world we live in today. These healthcare heroes also need strong organizational support so that they can continue to …
Converse’s MFA Program Partners with Clemson for Literature Series
Converse College and Clemson University Press are pleased to announce a publishing collaboration in conjunction with the low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Creative Writing program at Converse. The …
