Admissions

The Master of Arts in Teaching online (MAT online) program is designed for aspiring teachers eager to bring educational equity to K–12 classrooms in their communities.

Application Deadlines

The MAT online program offers three start dates throughout the year: January, May and September. All application items must be completed before the Final Application Deadline. Learn more about admissions requirements.

September 2020

Why Apply Early?

Applying before the final deadline gives you an earlier admissions decision and the benefit of more time to prepare for your future, including identifying financial aid resources, scholarships and student loans.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, but we encourage you to apply early. If you apply by the Early Action Deadline, you will receive an application fee waiver. If you apply by the Priority Submit Deadline, your application fee will be reduced from $90 to $50.

Admissions Requirements

The USC Rossier School of Education seeks aspiring K–12 teachers whose academic backgrounds, professional goals, personal commitments and communication skills meet the demands of a rigorous graduate program and a career in education.

We maintain the same high admissions criteria for our online programs as for our on-campus programs, including:

• A bachelor's degree or its recognized equivalent from a regionally accredited institution
• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Required coursework in the subject areas you plan on teaching (though no prior coursework in education is required)
• The ability to communicate effectively (both written and verbal) as demonstrated by academic performance and/or professional experience
• Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores (for applicants whose academic work has been in a country other than the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or English-speaking Canada)

Application Components

All items must be completed and submitted before the final application deadline, including transcripts and letters of recommendation.

Online Application

The online application includes questions about your personal, academic and professional background.

Personal Essays

The essay component includes a Personal Statement that covers your experience and professional goals, so that the Admissions Committee can gain deeper insight into why you’re pursuing the MAT online.

You will also write a response to one short-answer question. Your essay should demonstrate strong written communication skills that are critical for success in this graduate program.

Basic Skills Requirement

Applicants must show either proof of having met the Basic Skills Requirement or registering for the CBEST.

Employment Information

You will be asked to provide information about past employment and upload your most current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).

Letters of Recommendation

Provide at least three letters from supervisors, colleagues or former instructors who can speak to the contributions you’ve made in the workplace and your ability to perform in graduate-level courses.

Transcripts

Sealed, official academic transcripts must be sent directly from all postsecondary institutions you attended, including community college, to:

Any academic or professional certificates or certifications earned at a regionally accredited institution may also require official sealed transcripts.

Many schools issue transcripts electronically. If this option is available to you, please specify that your encrypted transcript(s) be sent to applicationservices@rossieronline.usc.edu. This will expedite the delivery of your transcript(s) and the completion of your application.

Application Fee

The USC application fee is $90. However, this fee can be waived or reduced when you apply early.

Basic Skills Requirement

In order to obtain a California teaching credential, you are required to satisfy the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing basic skills requirement by the end of your first fall semester in the program. The most common method of satisfying the requirement is to pass the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST), however the requirement can be met by alternative methods.

Confidentiality and Document Submission Policy

Transcripts and all other materials submitted for admission consideration become the property of USC. The university does not return or duplicate materials for any reason whatsoever. The information and materials in your submitted application are made available only to the central Office of Admission and the admission committee of the academic department or professional school to which you have applied.