The Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed for those seeking an initial teaching license in Tennessee. The Early Childhood Education emphasis prepares you to successfully meet the academic and developmental needs of all students grades PreK-3.

The School of Humanities, Education and the Arts at Cumberland University is committed to creating competent, caring, qualified professionals and reflective practitioners. Cumberland has long been a leader in teacher preparation in Tennessee and is known for its exceptional academic reputation, high quality programs taught by experienced, passionate teachers, and an overall commitment to excellence. Cumberland offers an interactive, engaging, authentic, and personalized educational experience at a small, private, liberal arts university.

The MAT combines the most cutting-edge immersive online technologies with a customized on-ground curriculum that blends coursework and self-directed field experiences, with evening and weekend classes that provide the security and mentoring needed for aspiring teachers. 

Our practitioner-focused curriculum is designed to equip pre-service teachers with the skills needed not only to succeed in the profession, but to transform education for tomorrow’s classrooms. Relevant coursework, field experiences, and a rigorous Teacher Education Progression will prepare you for the classroom.

The School of Humanities, Education and the Arts remains practitioner-focused and involved with schools and students by way of close partnerships with school districts and a strong teacher advisory committee.  We are aware of what emerging teachers need to be successful in reaching and teaching every child. We help you learn how to serve a critical function in building intellectual capacity and career-ready skills that strengthen individuals who in turn improve their communities, their states, and the nation.

The mission of the Master of Arts in Teaching is to provide initial licensure candidates with a broad-based teaching curriculum designed to prepare candidates in the pedagogical and professional skills required of teachers and to develop professional performance in the classroom. To that end, each course contained in the program is carefully selected to promote and encourage a prominent degree of professionalism in the MAT candidate.

If you have any questions or need any help through your next steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Program Director, Sandy Smith at (615) 547-1327 or email sandy.smith@cumberland.edu. We’re here to help guide you through this process and discuss your future at Cumberland University.

The Admissions Office is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4:30pm CST. Please contact the Admissions Office at 615-547-1246 locally or 615-547-1211 to speak with our Graduate Enrollment Specialist or email graduateadmissions@cumberland.edu.