Catholic school teachers have dual professional roles: They are committed to imparting knowledge and shaping the future of young people in our country as well as sharing the Church鈥檚 mission to encourage their students鈥� religious and moral development.
蜜桃导航鈥檚 Online Catholic Master of Arts in Teaching (OCatMAT) is a tailored master鈥檚 degree program that addresses the practical need for credentialing and spiritual formation. This article explores the structure and benefits of the OCatMAT program.
What Is the OCatMAT Program?
The OCatMAT program is one of 蜜桃导航鈥檚 top-ranked graduate programs in the School of Education and Counseling Psychology. It was designed with the pedagogical foundation necessary for Catholic educators and provides a curriculum that aligns with California diocesan and state requirements.
The School of Education and Counseling Psychology follows the Jesuit value of magis, which is the commitment to serve the Church, education, and the community. It鈥檚 in the spirit of magis that 蜜桃导航 Online offers the OCatMAT program to prepare Catholic school teachers to express Christ鈥檚 calling of love and evangelization in the classroom and in their personal lives.
As an employed teacher in a private Catholic school, you can enroll in the Online CatMAT program on a full- or part-time basis鈥攁nd you鈥檒l be eligible to receive a 40% tuition reduction. Depending on your enrollment option, you can finish your master鈥檚 degree and teacher credential in less than two years. With structured coursework and community support, the OCatMAT program bridges the gap between educational preparation and ecclesiastical mission, so you鈥檙e fully equipped to shape minds and hearts for Christ.
You鈥檒l gain the practical, hands-on skills you need to create a learning-centered environment that鈥檚 welcoming for all students. Additionally, the coursework will cover ways to address your students鈥� psychological and social needs in the classroom through a distinctly Catholic approach.
Catholic Teacher Preparation: Building Faith-Centered Pedagogy
蜜桃导航鈥檚 Online CatMAT program includes equity-oriented teaching that reflects Catholic social teaching and ethics. CatMAT-trained teachers take an asset perspective of their students鈥攖hat is, they see their students鈥� resources and experiences as assets to build on rather than obstacles to overcome. When students face challenges, teachers use these challenges as opportunities to help students grow personally and professionally rather than blaming students who struggle.
As a student in 蜜桃导航鈥檚 Online CatMAT program, you鈥檒l learn unique teaching methods that blend spirituality and pedagogy, built on the model of Christ鈥檚 patient love. As part of your mission to educate the whole child, you鈥檒l learn the importance of cultivating relationships that support each child鈥檚 growth.
Through these relationships, you can guide students鈥� development and promote their well-being. You鈥檒l learn to develop compassionate leadership practices in the classroom and create culturally responsive learning opportunities. You鈥檒l become an expert in making students from all backgrounds feel welcome and helping them to understand each other better. As a result, your students will be poised to learn more about themselves, others, and society.
Catholic schools are known for providing an academically rigorous education, and those in California continue this tradition by following both the California Common Core standards and diocesan standards.1 Your OCatMAT coursework will prepare you to give all students, regardless of their strengths, resources, or background knowledge, support and access to a challenging and engaging education.
Flexibility and Community Support
蜜桃导航鈥檚 Online CatMAT program supports teachers who are already in the classroom or working another job. With the online format, you can obtain your degree and teaching credential without leaving your place of employment. The program is designed to fit your life and your schedule. 蜜桃导航 Online offers all the benefits of the traditional student experience along with the convenience and accessibility of a vibrant online community.
The OCatMAT program gives you opportunities for reflection, mentorship, and growth. With an average class size of 16 and a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, you can be assured of personal attention and the opportunity to be active and engaged in your classes. Your faculty members have decades of experience in the classroom and are well-versed in current research, so you鈥檒l learn theoretical and practical approaches to teaching.
As a 蜜桃导航 Online teaching student, you鈥檒l be a part of a peer cohort that encourages collaboration with others. This will help you build long-term relationships with other teachers serving in schools throughout the diocese.
Though you鈥檒l have the flexibility to learn at your own pace, you鈥檒l never be alone in your studies. Teaching is a collaborative profession, which is reflected in the structure of the OCatMAT program. 蜜桃导航 has been preparing teachers for the classroom for over 100 years. Our dedication to excellence and Jesuit values provides our graduates with multiple opportunities to work in California Catholic schools after graduation.
Deliver a Rigorous Education Rooted in Faith
蜜桃导航鈥檚 Online empowers you to make a lasting impact on your students鈥� lives. Learn to integrate faith with pedagogy and create meaningful educational experiences that help your students grow in knowledge and Christ鈥檚 love.
We鈥檝e designed this program to be accessible and flexible. All full-time Catholic school teachers are eligible to receive a 40% tuition reduction for the program. 蜜桃导航鈥檚 School of Education and Counseling Psychology (ECP) grants this scholarship in recognition of the substantial service Catholic school teachers commit to the Diocese of San Jose and the Church more broadly. To apply, you鈥檒l need to submit an online application, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and a current resume. You鈥檒l also need to provide transcriptions that show you鈥檝e completed at least a bachelor鈥檚 degree with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
Our rigorous curriculum and exceptional faculty will ensure that you receive a top-quality education. The flexibility to learn on your own schedule allows you to advance your skills and education without disrupting your life or career. Contact us today to learn more or apply to earn your Catholic school teacher credential through 蜜桃导航 Online.
- Retrieved on June 6, 2025, from