Interested in being a Secondary Chemistry Teacher?

If you have an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, you may qualify to enter the MAT with a content specialization in Chemistry and you will not need to follow the steps below. However, please follow all previously described application submission steps.

If you have an undergraduate degree in any major other than Chemistry, you may also qualify to enter the MAT.  You will need 30 credit hours of coursework in Chemistry which may qualify you to enter the MAT with a content specialization in Secondary Chemistry.

You can do a preliminary transcript review yourself through the following:

Identify your coursework in chemistry. Coursework includes the following topics:

1. Atomic Structure/Chemical Periodicity/Thermodynamics of Chemical Reactions
2. Nomenclature/The Mole, Bonding, and Geometry
3. Solutions and Solubility

4. Chemical Reactions/Biochemistry

You may visit the ETS website link at http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/0241.pdf to review description of each topic. This will help you to determine the courses and credits you have that could apply to content specialization in chemistry.

You can also do a preliminary transcript review yourself by following these steps:

1. Use the chart below, based on National Standards, to determine what courses you have in each of the standard areas.
   

2. Highlight the qualifying courses on your transcript and place the name of the course and the number of credits in the columns.
   

3. Then add up the total number of credits in the right column and read the note at the bottom of the page.
   
   

   Competencies Demonstrated (Based upon the National Standards for Secondary Chemistry)	Course prefix, number and name (Ex. Chem 450)	# Credits Place in this Row
   Fundamental structures of atoms and molecules
   Basic principles of ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
   Physical and chemical properties and classifications; periodicity
   Chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry
   Mole concept, stoichiometry and laws of composition
   Transition elements and coordination compounds
   Acids, bases, solutions, fundamental biochemistry
   Functional and polyfunctional group chemistry
   Environmental and atmospheric chemistry
   Fundamental processes of investigating in chemistry
   Applications of chemistry in personal and community health and environment.
   Molecular orbital theory, aromaticity, metallic and ionic structures, correlation to properties of matter
   Superconductors and principles of metallurgy; advanced concepts of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics
   Lewis adducts and coordination compounds
   Solutions, colloids and colligative properties
   Major biological compounds and natural products
   Solvent system concepts
   Chemical reactivity and molecular structure; organic synthesis and organic reaction mechanisms
   Energy flow through chemical systems; issues related to chemistry; ground water pollution, disposal of plastics, alternative fuels.
   Historical development and perspectives in chemistry
   How to design, conduct and report research in chemistry
   Applications of chemistry and chemical technology in society, business, industry and health fields
   Biology
   Earth Science
   Physics
   Mathematics and statistical concepts
   	TOTAL CREDITS

You may also visit the website at http://www.nsta.org/pdfs/NSTAstandards2003.pdf to review the National Standards for Secondary Chemistry Teacher.

If you have a total of 30 credits in the right column, you may qualify to enter the MAT with a content specialization in Chemistry. If you have less than 30 credits, you may or may not qualify for this specialization, and/or other preliminary "qualifying" courses may be needed. Transcripts missing 3-6 credits will take special review by a transcript specialist.

If you think you may qualify for the chemistry specialization, please continue with the application process. If you have a different content specialist interest area, please go back to the FAQ page and click on one of the other content area links.