Teacher Education-Preservice

• Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with Initial Teaching License: Early Childhood/Elementary

The Graduate Admissions office will confirm via email the receipt and status of your application packet. Any outstanding items will be noted.

Applicants will also receive email notification when the application file is complete and ready for faculty review.

Application Process

Application priority deadline: December 1
Applications are processed: December 1 - December 18
Completed files go to faculty for review: early January
Admissions decisions sent to students: beginning mid-February

We are still accepting applications after the December 1 priority deadline. Completed application files will continue to be reviewed by program faculty for admission to our wait list.

NOTE: The M.A.T. Preservice program is full-time only and begins once a year in June.

Admissions Expectations

Lewis & Clark looks for applicants with a background in the liberal arts such as Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Fine Arts.

Mathematics and Science Competency
All applicants to the M.A.T. with Initial Teaching License: Early Childhood/Elementary program must exhibit competency in mathematics and science. Competency in mathematics and science must include grades of "C" or better in 100 level or above college courses, at least one course with a math prefix and another with a science prefix. Courses outside of these areas such as psychology statistics or economics are not counted towards this requirement. An AP score of 5.0 in mathematics or calculus will fulfill the mathematics portion of this requirement. If you do not have a 100 level mathematics or science course in your undergraduate experience, you must successfully complete such a course at a community college or a four year college before being officially admitted to the program. Successfully passing the Mathematics section of a basic skills or general knowledge test  (PRAXIS I, CBEST, West-B, CSET, ORELA, GRE) does not fulfill the mathematics competency requirement.

Classroom Experience
Candidates for admission must have a history of work, either volunteer or paid, with children in grades K-6. This experience must occur in school settings such as a public or private school, state licensed charter, or other school serving students in these grades. For admissions purposes, teaching swimming, music or dance lessons, coaching youth, working as a nanny, or as a private tutor are not accepted as approved classroom experience with children. Applicants are required to submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher who has observed the classroom work. See Letter of Recommendation requirement below. Click here for a sample list of volunteer opportunities in the Portland area.

Application Requirements

To receive priority consideration for admission and scholarships, applications and all supporting materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) must be received by the Graduate Admissions Office by the December 1 application deadline.

The following application materials are required:

1. Application Form
   You may use our online application or our paper application (pdf.). You may also contact the Graduate Office of Admissions to receive an application packet by mail.
2. Application Fee
   A $50 nonrefundable application fee is required. Online application: the fee is payable with a credit card or electronic check. Paper application: submit a check payable to "Lewis & Clark College". Alumni of the graduate school will have the opportunity to request an application fee waiver.
3. Four Personal Essays
   Download our Personal Essays form (pdf.) for essay topics and instructions. Essays may be single spaced or double spaced and can be submitted electronically (email attachment or as part of the online application) or in paper format (mailed or faxed).
4. Three Letters of Recommendation
   Three letters and three Recommendation for Admission forms (pdf.) must be submitted. The forms and letters should be written by three individuals who know you and are qualified to evaluate your academic competence, character and/or experience in professional or leadership roles. Professors, supervisors, and employers are often the best sources. References from a personal therapist, family members, or friends are not accepted.

   One letter of recommendation must be written by an individual who has observed and/or supervised your work with children in a classroom setting. The letter writer should specifically address his or her observations in the letter.

5. Official Transcripts
   Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution or the foreign equivalent. Official, sealed transcripts must be submitted from each postsecondary institution attended regardless of the length of study or the number of courses taken. Faxed transcripts are not considered official by the Graduate School. Graduates of a non-U.S. university system are required to provide officially evaluated and translated copies of all their college transcripts. Official evaluations and translations are done by outside agencies. Information regarding three such agencies can be found by going to Information for International Students.
6. Mathematics and Science Competency
   Applicants applying to the Early Childhood/Elementary program must exhibit competency in mathematics and science through the successful completion of a minimum of a 100-level college mathematics course and a 100-level science course. Please provide official, sealed transcripts. See information above under Admissions Expectations.
7. Grade Point Average (GPA)
   All applicants must hold a minimum 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in their undergraduate degree.
8. Resume
   Submit a current professional resume listing positions, prior education, awards, classroom experience, and volunteer activities.
9. Test Scores
   Test scores are not required for admission to M.A.T. Preservice programs. However, if PRAXIS, CBEST, ORELA, and or WESTB tests have been taken, scores should be included with the application. Official or unofficial copies of your scores are acceptable for admissions purposes. Go to M.A.T. Preservice Test Information for more information.

Interview

Qualified applicants will be invited to interview with Teacher Education faculty. Selection will be based on initial faculty review of completed applications.

Reapplicants

Application files for the M.A.T. Preservice program are kept for one year. If reapplying for the following year, you will need to submit a new application form and the $50 application fee. If you would like us to use the essay(s), resume, and/or letters of recommendation that were submitted with your old application please notify us of this in writing. If you wish to submit new essays, resume, or letters, send these in with your new application form. The Admissions office will notify you of any additional required documentation. If you are reapplying more than a year from your previous application, you will need to resubmit all required application materials.

Additional Information

• Testing Information
• Career & Licensing Services

---

---