Chaminade University of Honolulu

Master of Arts in Teaching

Empower learners. Transform communities.

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From passion to impact—become a teacher.

Teaching is more than a career—it’s a calling to inspire, empower, and shape the future. Through Chaminade’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program, you’ll become the kind of educator who makes a lasting impact—helping students grow into curious, capable, and compassionate individuals who go on to strengthen their communities and change the world.

Terms & Deadlines

Accelerated Summer Term Begins: July 13, 2026
Application Deadline: June 19, 2026

Accelerated Fall Term Begins: October 5, 2026
Application Deadline: September 11, 2026

A program built around you.

Designed for aspiring teachers ready to step into the classroom, our online MAT program combines hands-on experience, research-based teaching strategies, and personalized mentorship from experienced educators. You’ll develop the skills to engage diverse learners, foster critical thinking, and create inclusive, dynamic classrooms where every student can thrive.

100% online coursework

36–39 total credit hours
(varies by specialization)

Finish in 18 months

Five months of in-person student teaching

Pathway to Hawai’i State Teachers License

WASC accredited

Choose Your Concentration

Early Childhood Education Montessori (PK–K)

Support children as they explore, learn, and grow through a Montessori lens. You’ll strengthen your teaching practice, deepen your understanding of early learning, and grow as a leader and communicator. This pathway fulfills the requirements for the American Montessori Society (AMS) Early Childhood credential and PK–K licensure.

Early Childhood Education (PK–3)

Make a lasting impact on young learners in their earliest years. This program builds skills in practice, theory, leadership, scholarship, and communication—equipping you to inspire and empower PK–3 students. Completion of this concentration also meets Hawai‘i teacher licensure requirements.

Elementary Education (K–6)

Guide children through their formative school years, fostering curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. This concentration focuses on developing creative teaching strategies, classroom leadership, and communication skills, while preparing you for Hawai‘i teacher licensure.

Secondary Education (6–12)

Support adolescents as they explore new ideas and build critical thinking skills. This pathway emphasizes subject-specific expertise, adolescent learning strategies, and leadership in the classroom, with options in Math, English, Science, or Social Studies, and meets Hawai‘i teacher licensure requirements.

Special Education (PK-3, K-6, K-12, 6-12)

Support learners with mild to moderate disabilities across a range of settings. You’ll develop skills in practice, theory, leadership, research, and scholarship to create inclusive and engaging learning environments. This concentration offers flexible pathways: Special Education Elementary (K–6), Special Education Secondary (6–12), or Special Education K–12, all aligned with Hawai‘i teacher licensure requirements.

Program Details

Upon completion of the M.A. in Teaching, Early Childhood Education, students will be able to:

  1. Synthesize knowledge of learner development, learner differences, diverse students and the learning environment to optimize learning for Early Childhood students.
  2. Evaluate central concepts, tools of inquiry and structures of the subject matter disciplines for Early Childhood students.
  3. Utilize formative and summative assessments, to determine, select, and implement effective instructional strategies for Early Childhood students.
  4. Analyze the history, values, commitments, and ethics of the teaching profession within the school community.
  5. Explain the Marianist tradition of providing an integral, quality education within diverse learning communities.

Upon completion of the M.A. in Teaching, Elementary Education, students will be able to:

  1. Synthesize knowledge of learner development, learner differences, diverse students, and the learning environment to optimize learning for Elementary students.
  2. Evaluate central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the subject matter disciplines for Elementary students.
  3. Utilize formative and summative assessments to determine, select, and implement effective instructional strategies for Elementary students.
  4. Analyze the history, values, commitments, and ethics of the teaching profession within the school community.
  5. Explain the Marianist tradition of providing an integral, quality education within diverse learning communities.

Upon completion of the M.A. in Teaching, Secondary Education, students will be able to:

  1. Synthesize knowledge of learner development, learner differences, diverse students, and the learning environment to optimize learning for Secondary students.
  2. Evaluate central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the subject matter disciplines for Secondary students.
  3. Utilize formative and summative assessments to determine, select, and implement effective instructional strategies for Secondary students.
  4. Analyze the history, values, commitments, and ethics of the teaching profession within the school community.
  5. Explain the Marianist tradition of providing an integral, quality education within diverse learning communities

 Upon completion of the M.A. in Teaching, Special Education, students will be able to:

  1. Synthesize knowledge of learner development, learner differences, diverse students, and the learning environment to optimize learning for SPED students.
  2. Evaluate central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the subject matter disciplines for SPED students.
  3. Utilize formative and summative assessments to determine, select, and implement effective instructional strategies for SPED students.
  4. Analyze the history, values, commitments, and ethics of the teaching profession within the school community.
  5. Explain the Marianist tradition of providing an integral, quality education within diverse learning communities.

MAT Early Childhood Education PK–3 (39 Credits)

  • EDUC 608 Montessori Child Development
  • EDUC 610 Elementary Language Arts Methods
  • EDUC 614 Elementary Math Methods
  • EDUC 649 Montessori Philosophy
  • EDUC 690 Teaching Seminar: PK-3
  • EDUC 691 Student Teaching: PK-3
  • EDUC 764 Culturally Appropriate Practice & Montessori Methods
  • EDUC 765 Developments of the Senses & the Montessori Methods
  • EDUC 766 Early Childhood Language Arts Methods
  • EDUC 767 Early Childhood Math Methods
  • EDUC 770 Integrated Curriculum & Montessori
  • EDUC 772 Advanced Leadership & Montessori

Candidates must pass the PRAXIS II or have met subject-credit eligibility requirements per Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) Guidelines in their licensure area.

MAT Early Childhood Education Montessori PK-K (36 Credits)

  • EDUC 608 Montessori Child Development
  • EDUC 649 Montessori Philosophy
  • EDUC 764 Culturally Appropriate Practice & Montessori Methods
  • EDUC 765 Developments of the Senses & the Montessori Methods
  • EDUC 766 Early Childhood Language Arts Methods
  • EDUC 767 Early Childhood Math Methods
  • EDUC 770 Integrated Curriculum & Montessori
  • EDUC 772 Advanced Leadership & Montessori
  • EDUC 781 Student Teaching – Montessori Early Childhood*
  • EDUC 782 Seminar Montessori Early Childhood*
  • EDUC 783 Student Teaching Montessori Early Childhood*
  • EDUC 784 Seminar Montessori Early Childhood*

*Candidates must pass the PRAXIS II or have met subject-credit eligibility requirements per Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) Guidelines in their licensure area.

MAT Elementary Education (K–6) with Licensure (39 Credits)

  • EDUC 610 Elementary Language Arts Methods
  • EDUC 612 Elementary Science Methods
  • EDUC 614 Elementary Math Methods
  • EDUC 618 Elementary Social Studies Methods
  • EDUC 630 History and the Profession of Education
  • EDUC 631 Psychological Foundations of Education and Development
  • EDUC 632 Learning Environments
  • EDUC 633 Diverse Learners
  • EDUC 686 Teaching Seminar: Elementary
  • EDUC 687 Elementary Student Teaching
  • Two (2) Education Division electives

Candidates must pass the PRAXIS II or have met subject-credit eligibility requirements per Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) Guidelines in their licensure area prior to the student teaching application deadline.

MAT Secondary Education (6–12) with Licensure (39 Credits)

  • EDUC 621 Secondary Math Methods*
  • EDUC 622 Secondary English Method*
  • EDUC 624 Secondary Methods I: Science*
  • EDUC 625 Secondary Methods I: Social Studies*
  • EDUC 627 Secondary Methods II
  • EDUC 628 Secondary Methods II
  • EDUC 630 History and the Profession of Education
  • EDUC 631 Psychological Foundations of Education and Development
  • EDUC 632 Learning Environments
  • EDUC 633 Diverse Learners
  • EDUC 684 Teaching Seminar: Secondary
  • EDUC 685 Teacher Seminar: Secondary
  • Three (3) Education Division electives

*Candidates take one of these 4 courses depending on their subject concentration. Candidates must pass the PRAXIS II or have met subject-credit eligibility requirements per Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) Guidelines in their licensure area prior to the student teaching application deadline.

MAT Special Education (Mild/Moderate) with Licensure (39 Credits)

  • EDUC 630 History and the Profession of Education
  • EDUC 631 Psychological Foundations of Education and Development
  • EDUC 632 Learning Environments
  • EDUC 633 Diverse Learners
  • EDUC 662 SPED: Assessment, Planning, and Computer Technologies
  • EDUC 665 SPED: Mild/Moderate Disabilities
  • EDUC 667 SPED: K-12 Math Methods
  • EDUC 668 SPED: K-12 Language Arts and Methods
  • EDUC 669 Special Education Leadership
  • EDUC 688 Teaching Seminar: Special Education
  • EDUC 689 Student Teaching: Special Education
  • EDUC 733 SPED: Issues in Special Education

Candidates must pass the PRAXIS II or have met subject-credit eligibility requirements per Hawai’i Teacher Standards Board (HTSB) Guidelines in their licensure area prior to the student teaching application deadline.

We are providing you with this notice pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 668.43 to inform you that Chaminade University of Honolulu has not made a determination as to whether the curriculum of this program leads to licensure in states outside of the State of Hawaii. If you plan to obtain your license in a state other than the State of Hawaii, please inquire with your state’s licensing agency for curriculum requirements for licensure. You can go to this website NC-SARA Professional Licensure Directory, click on your intended professional licensure, then look for your state and click on their website for more information on the requirements for your professional licensure.

If you are interested in having Chaminade University of Honolulu provide you with a recommendation for licensure in the State of Hawai’i only, you must complete your student teaching at a school within the State of Hawaii.

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Chaminade University has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the nationally recognized agency for accreditation of post-secondary institutions in its area of the United States.

Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)

Chaminade University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. MAT in Early Childhood Education, MAT in Teaching in Elementary Education, MAT in Secondary Education, and MAT in Special Education have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through December 31, 2030. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE)

Chaminade University has received specialized accreditation for its early childhood education programs by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) and affiliated with the American Montessori Society (AMS). The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education with Montessori Credential is accredited by MACTE and affiliated by AMS.

General Admission Requirements

  • Completed Chaminade application
  • Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S., or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution*
  • Official College Transcripts
  • Professional Resume
  • Program Essay Response
  • References

*See the Graduate Admissions Requirements website for full details on accreditation requirements

Cost of Attendance

Please visit the Graduate Cost of Attendance webpage for tuition rates and fees.

Additional Resources

Notable Alumni

Milken Family foundation
2017 Teacher of Promise

Brittnie Caraulia receives a warm welcome home after being recognized as Hawaii's Counselor of the Year.

Kai Mana Nakoa, MAT ’15

Paia Elementary School

2017 Hawai’i State Public Charter School Teacher of the Year

Brittnie Caraulia receives a warm welcome home after being recognized as Hawaii's Counselor of the Year.

Kay Beach, MAT ’12

Former Teacher, SEEQS

National Association of Independent Schools
2013-14 Teacher of the Future

Brittnie Caraulia receives a warm welcome home after being recognized as Hawaii's Counselor of the Year.

Chase Mitsuda, MAT ’05

Punahou School

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If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at [email protected] or (808) 739-8524.