Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Fifth-Year Program
With Pacific’s 12-month long, Master of Arts in Teaching Fifth-Year program, students fulfill all the requirements for the Oregon Initial Teaching License while earning their master’s degrees. This innovative, rigorous teacher education program runs from June to June on the Forest Grove campus and from January to December at Pacific’s Eugene campus.
Students earn two of the following authorization levels: early childhood education (age three through grade four); elementary (grades three through eight); middle school (grades five through 10); and high school (grades seven through 12). For students selecting middle or high school authorizations, endorsement area options include art, business (high school only), drama, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Russian, health, language arts, math, music, physical education, science (biology, chemistry, physics, and integrated science) and social studies.
To be admitted into the Fifth Year program, you must pass one of the basic skills tests: CBEST or Praxis I (PPST). You must also pass the appropriate tests for your authorization level/endorsement area. The College of Education can provide you with registration information for the following exams:
- Early childhood education authorization – A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the MSAT or the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Multiple Subjects Examination.
- Elementary education authorization – A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the MSAT or the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Multiple Subjects Examination.
- Middle school authorization - A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the MSAT or the Oregon Educator Licensure Assessments (ORELA) Multiple Subjects Examination. In addition, you will need an area of concentration. Therefore you must take the appropriate Praxis II: Subject Area Tests for your chosen subject.
- High school authorization – A basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I - PPST) and the appropriate Praxis II: Subject Area Tests.
Admissions: How to prepare, how to apply, important dates
The earlier you submit your application, the better the possibility of acceptance. Because the College of Education reviews applications on a rolling basis, well-qualified applicants may be immediately admitted. You may apply to begin the program in the summer in Forest Grove or in the spring in Eugene.
As an applicant you must document the following:
- A Bachelor’s degree by the time you begin courses in the College of Education
- Passing score on a basic skills test (CBEST or Praxis I – PPST) and for either the ORELA or Praxis II
- Experience with children or youth, particularly in a school setting
- College coursework as evidenced by official transcripts
Our Admissions Committee considers many factors:
- GPA (at least 2.75 as an undergraduate or 3.00 in at least eight semester hours of graduate studies)
- Passing test scores
- Strength of letters of evaluation
- Breadth of coursework (math, science, writing, literature, history, cross-cultural subjects, music, and art) for early childhood and elementary applicants
- Subject area knowledge for middle and high school applicants
- Writing ability as demonstrated in an essay
- Minimum course requirements:
- Early Childhood/Elementary Authorization (age 3 – 8th grade)
- Literature/Composition (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours)
- Social Studies (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours – can include history, political science, or geography)
- Mathematics (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours – preference for Math for Elementary Teachers courses)
- Science (8 semester hours or 12 quarter hours – including a biology course with labs)
- Additional Recommended Courses for Early Childhood/Elementary
The following courses are recommended, but not required for admission.- Cross-cultural (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Psychology (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Art (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Music (2 semester hours or 3 quarter hours)
- Middle/High School Authorization (5th – 12th grades)
In order to be considered for admission, you must have completed one of the following before you apply:- A major in the subject area you wish to teach
- A minor or coursework equivalent (20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours) in the subject area you wish to teach
- Elementary/Middle School Authorization (3rd – 10th grades)
- In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have completed both the requirements listed under the Early Childhood/Elementary and Middle/High School Sections.
- Early Childhood/Elementary Authorization (age 3 – 8th grade)
Handbook
Forest Grove MAT/5th Year Handbook![]()
Curriculum
| Section | The Foundation Block - All Authorizations | Credit Hrs |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-504 | Learning Communities I: Personal Awareness and Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-570 | School and Society |
2 |
| EDUC-515 | Advanced Human Development
and Psychology (ECE/Elem) or... |
4 |
| EDUC-516 | Advanced Human Development and Psychology: Middle and High School (MS/HS) |
4 |
| EDUC-601 | Teachers as Consumers of Research |
2 |
| The Methods Block - Early Childhood Education Authorization | ||
| EDUC-505 | Learning Communities II: About Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-533 | Integrated Methods I: General Methods |
3 |
| EDUC-508 | Integrated Methods II: Reading and Language Arts in ECE |
4 |
| EDUC-509 | Integrated Methods IIIa: Math in ECE |
2 |
| EDUC-528 | Integrated Methods IIIb: Science and Health in ECE |
2 |
| EDUC-510 | Integrated Methods IV: Expressive Arts in ECE |
2 |
| EDUC-537 | Technology Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| EDUC-573 | Practicum |
2 |
| The Methods Block - Elementary Education Authorization | ||
| EDUC-505 | Learning Communities II: About Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-533 | Integrated Methods I: General Methods |
3 |
| EDUC-544 | Integrated Methods II: Reading and Language Arts in Elementary Education |
4 |
| EDUC-543 | Integrated Methods IIIa: Math in Elementary Education |
2 |
| EDUC-529 | Integrated Methods IIIb: Science and Health in Elementary Education |
2 |
| EDUC-545 | Integrated Methods IV: Thematic Teaching through SS and the Arts |
2 |
| EDUC-537 | Technology Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| EDUC-573 | Practicum |
2 |
| The Methods Block - Middle School and High School Authorizations | ||
| EDUC-505 | Learning Communities II: About Diversity |
2 |
| EDUC-526 | Teaching and Assessment in the Middle and High School |
4 |
| EDUC-541 | Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| Special Methods (in appropriate content area) | ||
| EDUC-502 | Teaching Art in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-503 | Teaching Music in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-536 | Teaching Health in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-538 | Teaching Science in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-539 | Teaching PE in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-546 | Teaching Business in the High School |
3 |
| EDUC-547 | Teaching Foreign Language in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-549 | Teaching Mathematics in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-551 | Teaching Social Studies in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-552 | Teaching Language Arts in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-553 | Teaching Drama in the Middle School and High School |
3 |
| EDUC-567 | Curriculum Design: Middle and High School |
2 |
| EDUC-537 | Technology Across the Curriculum |
2 |
| EDUC-573 | Practicum |
2 |
| The Applications Block - All Authorizations | ||
| EDUC-576 | Learning Communities III: Reflection and Practice |
2 |
| EDUC-575 | Student Teaching |
15 |
For More Information
Contact Person (Eugene): Shelley Smolnisky, Assistant Dean, Eugene Campus
Email: smolniskys@pacificu.edu
Phone: 541-485-6812
Contact Person (Forest Grove): Debbie Wintermute, Assistant Dean
Email: wintermute@pacificu.edu
Phone: 503-352-2783



