Many students who aspire to become teachers are pursuing a degree in education. However, some may be pursuing careers in STEM fields, but are still looking to become teachers.
The master’s of arts in teaching (MAT) can be applied in the areas of mathematics education, science education and secondary education. Iowa State is seeking to attract more students to master’s degrees in mathematics and science education. For information on the MAT in Secondary Education, visit the program website.
The program is intended to utilize the skills developed in various STEM careers to develop educational skills meant for the classroom. In this way, students can transform undergraduate technical experience into the ideal skills for a teaching career.
The primary benefits to each of these degrees include teaching licensure recommendation, a speedy degree completion time and structured field experience.
Mollie Appelgate, associate professor of the School of Education and faculty member affiliated with the MAT program, wants to inform students about the program.
“We are working to get the word out about the math and science MAT programs in particular because of Iowa State’s focus on science, technology and engineering,” Appelgate said.
“We need more teachers,” Jiyeong Yi, associate professor of the School of Education and coordinator of the MAT programs, said.
A grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) has been established to aid Iowa State in the recruitment and support of new teachers.
“This NSF grant is specifically for STEM teachers like math and science teachers,” Yi said.
An encouraging benefit to new teachers in Iowa is starting pay. According to state code §284.15, the minimum salary for a new, full-time teacher after July 1, 2025, is $50,000. Pay schedules will vary by school district, but some starting salaries are anticipated to be higher than the state’s minimum.
“With a master’s degree, their initial salary is higher than others,” Yi said.
Both MAT degrees cover secondary education, meaning an educator can work in fifth through twelfth grade positions upon Iowa licensure. Each state independently administers teacher licensure, which could pose challenges for students wanting to teach in other states.
“Many of our graduates go to Minnesota or Illinois and they cannot automatically use Iowa’s license, but neighbor states have similar requirements, so they can easily transfer to other states,” Yi said.
Mathematics Education, MAT
Earning a MAT in mathematics education requires an initial application, 35 credits and completion of the 12-month program, structured field experience, student teaching and other specifics, which are listed on the program’s website.
According to the website, students best suited for the mathematics program are those with undergraduate degrees in mathematics, actuary science or computer science.
Along with the course catalog, students must participate in field experience involving a practicum and student teaching. According to the Iowa State website, this could be observing a licensed teacher, planning and implementing a lesson or working with a supervisor across a range of classroom locations and environments.
Originally earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, Jaelyn Tigges is now a student teacher in the final term of the MAT in mathematics. Tigges appreciates the field experience and hands-on learning from the program.
“All in the last year as an MAT student, I have gained experience through Science Bound, substitute teaching, practicum and student teaching, all of which have given me valuable experience and have allowed me to learn and grow as an educator,” Tigges said.
“I was able to gain valuable experience by teaching a great group of Science Bound Scholars geometry through one of the summer programs at Des Moines North High School alongside some of my fellow classmates in the cohort,” Tigges said.
More information about the connection between the Iowa State College of Health and Human Sciences and the Science Bound program can be found here.
Science Education, MAT
Earning a MAT in science education also requires an initial application, 35 credits and completion of the 12-month program, structured field experience, student teaching and other specifics, which are listed on the program’s website.
According to the Iowa State website, students best suited for this program are those with undergraduate degrees in science or engineering. Other helpful fields may include biology, chemistry and physics.
Like mathematics education, science education also requires a course catalog and field experience.
In the span of four years, Jared Overmann, a student in the MAT program, will obtain both an undergraduate degree in biology and a teaching endorsement upon completion of student teaching this semester.
“I think the most valuable thing for me to learn was how to best structure and format teaching,” Overmann said. “This is important for me because I want to be the best teacher possible, and learning these strategies and techniques helps me along that path.”
Assisting Appelgate in research and outreach is Jasmine Sourwine, a graduate continuing in education.
“I just recognize this need to get more teachers in STEM, specifically in secondary education, and I think this is a great way to do it,” Sourwine said. “If you are now thinking, ‘what now? what next?’ this is a great opportunity.”
According to the College of Health and Human Sciences Career Services graduate data, students who received MAT degrees demonstrated 100% positive career outcomes in science education. Mathematics education was combined with other education majors in this dataset, but also yielded 100% positive career outcome achievement. The data and positive career outcome determination comes from respondents of a survey of 2022-23 graduates in education and science education majors, collected within six months of their graduation.
The MAT team has extended the deadline to apply for the 2025-26 school year program to Feb. 15.
