4+1 Master of Arts in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction
Already a Florida Southern education student pursuing initial certification? Begin your master's early and graduate ready to teach, with advanced classroom strategies and a clinical internship in a Polk County school.
New to the 4+1 model? See how accelerated programs work, including eligibility and tuition savings, on the Accelerated Program Options page.
The Same MAT, Started Early
A Master of Arts in Transformational Curriculum and Instruction (MAT) prepares you to become a teacher while earning a master's degree, building advanced classroom skills through research-based strategies and transformational teaching methods: active, student-centered, collaborative, experiential, and problem-based learning.
The 4+1 path leads to the same 42-hour MAT as our traditional path, built for those pursuing initial teacher certification. Courses are 100% online except the student-teaching internship and seminar, completed in a Polk County public school. As a qualified FSC undergraduate, you begin graduate coursework early and count it toward both degrees.
The Early Credits
As a 4+1 student you may complete up to 6 credit hours of graduate work during your senior year, counting toward both degrees and billed at the undergraduate rate.
Clinical Experience
The MAT includes a 70-day internship in a Polk County school classroom for hands-on teaching experience. Students who already hold a full Professional Teaching Certificate are exempt from this requirement.
4+1 Admission Requirements
The 4+1 MAT path is for current Florida Southern undergraduates. To be eligible, you should apply during your junior year and meet the following:
- 93+ undergraduate credit hours completed at the start of the program
- Apply during your junior year; 3.0 GPA or higher
- Photocopy of ID, passport, or driver's license
- Completion of a Polk County School Board (PCSB) background check clearance
- Approval from the MAT Program Director
How 4+1 Billing Works
Admitted undergraduate students will be allowed to complete a maximum of six credit hours of graduate work. These credits will count toward their MAT degree requirements. Any MAT courses attempted in the fall or spring semesters before receiving the undergraduate degree will be charged at the traditional undergraduate full-time tuition rate. Graduate courses taken after the student receives their undergraduate degree will be billed at the current MAT per credit hour rate.
2026-2027
| Base Required Fees | Cost |
| Tuition Per Credit Hour | $490 |
| Technology fee per semester is based on credit hours enrolled |
|
$250 Non-Refundable Enrollment Deposit (Upon acceptance and applied toward your first semester tuition balance)
Get in Touch
Ready to start early? Talk with the Adult and Graduate Admission about the 4+1 path.
Brooke Veal, MATL
Director of Field Study and Evening Education Programs
- 863.680.5004
- bveal@flsouthern.edu
- Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 106
Lori Rakes, Ph.D.
Dean of Education, Nina B. Hollis Endowed Chair of Education, Associate Professor of Education
- 863.680.4172
- lrakes@flsouthern.edu
- Carol J. Barnett / Curry Education Office - 113