Steps to Earning a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree at Morningside College

1.  Submit the application package

  • Application form
  • Written essay
  • Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate work completed at institutions other than Morningside
  • Copy of current teaching certificate
  • $25 application fee

2.  Register for and complete the required coursework/electives

  • A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
  • A limit of 6 hours of coursework at Morningside with a grade of C, C- or C+ may be used toward the degree
  • No grade lower than C- will be used toward the degree

3.  After taking at least 18 hours, including EDUC 501 Educational Research, submit an Application

     for Admission to Candidacy form

  • Application form that includes a list of courses/hours yet to be taken
  • Written essay (Note: This is a different essay from the one written for the initial application for admission to the graduate program.)

4.  Submit official transcripts of work to be transferred in from another institution if these were

     not submitted as part of the original application package

  • Transfer hours are limited to 9 in any MAT program; see specific programs for additional restrictions.
  • No grade lower than B- will be transferred into the MAT program from another institution.

5.  If an internship is required for an endorsement that is part of the degree program, submit the

     application for that internship*

  • By April 15 for the following fall semester
  • By September 15 for the following spring semester
  • By January 15 for the following May/summer

All required coursework for the endorsement must be completed before the internship will be approved.

6.  Submit an Intent to Graduate form by October 1 preceding the May graduation date

7.  Receive information regarding comprehensive exams in early November preceding the May
     graduation date

8.  Complete comprehensive exams in late January/early February and have them submitted to the
     Graduate Office by February 1

9.  Complete the implementation of the research proposal designed in Educational Research and submit
     the research report to the Graduate Office at the very latest by March 1 prior to the May
     graduation date

10. Revise research report and/or comprehensive exams if necessary by April 1

11. Graduate with the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in May

  • All degree requirements—including coursework, comprehensive exams, and implementation of action research—must be completed within a 7-year timeframe.

12. If you are completing a teaching endorsement as part of your degree, you will want to add the
     endorsement to your existing teaching license.  This is a separate step, one that involves the Board
     of Educational Examiners (BOEE).  (Persons completing a teaching endorsement that is not part of a
     degree program will also follow these same steps to add the endorsement to an existing teaching
     license.)  You will need to:

  • Go to http://www.state.ia.us/boee/
  • Click on Apply for a License tab at top of page
  • Click on Teacher or Administrator Licensure (Iowa Institution)
  • Print off the form
  • Fill out the application (down through “sign and date”)
  • Make a check out to the BOEE for the required amount of money (listed on the application)
  • Attach a note stating the endorsement you are applying for
  • Send the application and check to:
    Janet Chobar, Licensure Officer
    Morningside College
    1501 Morningside Avenue
    Sioux City, Iowa  51106

Janet will complete the form, seal it, and send it (with your check) to the BOEE.  The State will process your application and send you an updated license


*Applications and forms are found on the graduate Web site at http://webs.morningside.edu/gradedu/ under the Applications/Forms link.


Updated 1/3/08