Early Access to Teaching (MA) | St. Charles / St. Louis MO

Lindenwood Early Close Today (12/1) – Classes After 1 p.m. Held Virtually

Due to inclement weather and potentially hazardous road conditions, the Lindenwood University campus is closing at 1 p.m. today, December 1. Employees and students are encouraged to use extreme caution when traveling. Essential Employees should contact their supervisor for their on-campus schedule. We thank you in advance for your service.

In-person classes starting at 1 p.m. or later today will be held virtually or will have learning activities that can be completed remotely. Students enrolled in classes that are online, hyflex, or hybrid should check Canvas and email for information from their professor, since many of these learning activities will continue virtually. Faculty should provide information regarding changes to class assignments and deadlines. Students should check Canvas and email for communication from their instructors.

Faculty and staff are advised to take their laptops and work materials home with them in case of continuing bad weather.

In-person campus activities starting at 1 p.m. or later are canceled, unless otherwise communicated by university administrators. Virtual events may continue as planned. Any change in dining service hours can be found on Lion’s Dining homepage or the Lion’s Dining Services social media accounts.

Ask about our early access option to complete the MAT while earning your undergraduate degree.

Early Access to Teaching (MA) Degree Requirements

Students maintaining an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher may take up to nine semester hours at the graduate level during their senior year. These hours will count toward the Master's degree, but not toward the bachelor’s degree. A student must be enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of undergraduate classes each semester that he or she is taking Master's credits under this option. Students in the Early Access Program must maintain a 3.0 in all graduate courses. Courses taken at the undergraduate level cannot be retaken for graduate credit. The graduate degree pursued cannot be same field as a student's undergraduate degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an overload fee?

As long as you do not exceed a combined enrollment of more than 18 hours in the semester there is not an overload fee. If you receive approval and enroll in more than 18 hours you will be charged the standard overload fee as stated in the Lindenwood Undergraduate Catalog.

How does this affect financial aid?

It will not affect your financial aid – you are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 undergraduate hours.

What forms and signatures do you need?

You will need to complete an application to the Early Access to the MAT Program. This form can be obtained from the College of Education and Human Services. You will need to submit this form to Dr. Jill Hutcheson in the College of Education and Human Services. Your academic records will be reviewed by a committee, and if you meet the requirements, your paperwork will be sent to the vice president for academic affairs for approval. You will be notified of your status and your education advisor’s name via email after the process has been completed. You will then need to meet with your advisor to complete an enrollment form and create a plan for completion of the MAT after your undergraduate degree has been conferred.

Why would I want to do this?

If you enter the Lindenwood MAT program after graduation, both the total cost of the program and the time to complete the degree will be reduced, especially if you take MAT courses in the summer term. You will also be exempt from taking the Missouri General Education Assessment.

What is the maximum number of courses I can take prior to receiving my bachelor degree?

Students are permitted to enroll in no more than six credit hours of EDU course work per semester and to complete no more than nine credit hours graduate work prior to receiving a bachelor’s degree.

Who can apply to the early access program?

Any Lindenwood student in an eligible bachelor’s degree program who has completed a minimum of 84 undergraduate hours with a minimum cumulative and major GPA of 3.0 is eligible to apply.

What bachelor’s degrees work for this program?

Your undergraduate degree must be closely related to your certification area, and you must pass a content assessment in that subject area. Please see the MAT Early Access Application for a complete list of certification areas. The alignment of your undergraduate major and your certification area depends on state teacher certification requirements.

How much does this cost?

Six hours per semester and no more than a total of nine credit hours will be included in your undergraduate full-time tuition, and therefore you will be able to take up to three of your required EDU courses without charge. Book expenses and lab fees for any EDU courses will be at your expense.

Is there a minimum GPA to remain in the program?

Yes. You must maintain a minimum undergraduate cumulative and in major GPA of 3.0 and a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0.

Am I automatically accepted to the Graduate School once I have completed my undergraduate program?

No. This allows you the opportunity to enroll in the Early Access MAT Program. You will need to complete the process of applying to the Lindenwood Graduate Program.