School of Education at Johns Hopkins University - Graduate Education Programs:


FAQ

ProMAT FAQ:

 
  • What is Montgomery ProMAT?
    Montgomery ProMAT, the Secondary General Education, Early Childhood, Elementary Advanced Math, and Elementary Foreign Language Immersion, component of Montgomery Professional Immersion, is a two-year teacher preparation program facilitated by the partnership between Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)and the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. ProMAT combines educational field experience and a 39-credit master's degree program leading to teaching certification and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from JHU. It is designed to bring second career adults, already holding an undergraduate degree, into the field of education. MCPS attempts to fill areas of critical need. MCPS does NOT need ProMAT candidates in general elementary education, secondary social studies, English, Biology, Earth Science, French, and ESOL. For more information on these areas of certification preparation, please see other JHU MAT programs.

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  • What occurs during the two years of Montgomery ProMAT?
    Candidates, if accepted, spend two years together as a cohort group, beginning in May. Prior to beginning the program, candidates are expected to substitute teach and obtain a positive recommendation from an MCPS school administrator, using MCPS Recommendation Form 445-16. During the summer of the first year, candidates take and pay for six (6) credits of evening coursework. MCPS pays the tuition for all subsequent JHU coursework, books and fees. Upon successful completion of all content coursework, the JHU summer courses, field experience, and the requisite exams, candidates are placed in vacancies as teachers of record for the next two academic years, receiving a stipend for each year. Candidates document their teaching through a standards-based electronic portfolio. Upon successful program completion, candidates receive priority consideration for a contract from MCPS. They must then work for three additional years as a contracted teacher in MCPS.

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  • What are the initial admission requirements for Johns Hopkins University?

    Applicants must possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a college/university grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher. Some experience working in schools, through substitute teaching, private school teaching, or service as a paraeducator, is desirable prior to application, and MCPS substitute eligibility and experience are required prior to beginning the program. Applicants must also take and pass the Praxis I, GRE, SAT, or ACT prior to admission and the Praxis II Content Exam (Secondary Spanish candidates are encouraged to take the ACTFL OPI and WPT exams) by the June administration date.

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  • What if I have international transcripts and/or am an international student?
    You must be eligible to live and work in the US for a minimum of 5 consecutive years. Neither MCPS nor JHU will sponsor your residency or work status. If you have taken coursework at a university outside of the US, your transcripts must be evaluated by an authorized credential evaluation agency. For more information, please visit: http://onestop.jhu.edu/education/international.

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  • What are the test score requirements?
    Praxis I - composite score of 527 or SAT - composite score of 1100 (prior to 4/95 a composite score of 1000) or ACT - composite score of 24 or GRE - composite score of 1000.

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  • Do my undergraduate and/or graduate degrees guarantee that I will not have to take additional courses?
    A JHU adviser will review applicants' transcripts to see if they comply with the requirements set by MSDE and JHU. Any coursework taken outside the US must be evaluated by an authorized credentialing agency (https://onestop.jhu.edu/education/international/credential-evaluation-agencies). Applicants needing no more than nine credits of content coursework can still be considered for ProMAT. Candidates must complete all content coursework by the end of the summer of the first year of the program. JHU accepts content coursework from any accredited higher education institution, including community colleges. In addition, many institutions offer courses online, and individuals who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 may earn credit by College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Applicants pay for any additional content coursework.

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  • Am I guaranteed acceptance into ProMAT?
    No. A transcript review conference is necessary to determine if additional content courses are required to meet Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) guidelines. Applications are then screened, and an interview with ProMAT and MCPS staff may be scheduled based on screening results. Candidates are then notified of the ProMAT decision.

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  • What other requirements must I meet during the program?
    ProMAT candidates must complete the following by the end of the first summer session of the program:
    • Earn a GPA of at least 3.0 in all graduate coursework
    • Pass the appropriate Praxis II Content Exam(s) (Secondary Spanish candidates are encouraged to take the ACTFL OPI and WPT exams)
    • Successfully complete the summer school field experience and additional training

    Candidates who fail to successfully complete the above requirements by the end of the first summer of the program cannot enter as teachers of record.

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  • What are my responsibilities in the ProMAT program?

    Each candidate must sign and have notarized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which obligates him/her to repay MCPS for tuition costs should s/he elect to leave or be asked to leave the program. Each candidate must also sign and comply with a second JHU MOU. Candidates must teach in the assigned school when offered a position in that school and must terminate all other employment beginning in June. Candidates must be eligible for full certification before being contracted by MCPS. Finally, candidates must teach three years in MCPS after being offered a contract as part of the program obligation.

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  • How will I be supported through my ProMAT experience?

    A JHU university supervisor and a school-based candidate coach will provide frequent observation and feedback during the two teacher of record years. The program coordinator also visits candidates periodically at their schools and advises on campus at JHU. When it comes time to develop the culminating portfolio project in the second year, portfolio advisers (JHU program coordinator/faculty associates and exemplary ProMAT graduates) are available for feedback and support. JHU courses and monthly seminars are also designed to support cohort members.

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  • What happens if I am unsuccessful in spite of the supports provided?

    A cohort member can be removed from the program as a result of a negative evaluation from the university supervisor, program coordinator, or MCPS administrator. Removal from the teaching position constitutes removal from ProMAT, and the candidate will be billed for tuition paid for by MCPS. The cohort member may be allowed to continue in one of the other JHU programs at his/her own expense.

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  • What do I get from the ProMAT program?
    Teaching certification, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree, substantial financial support, a full-time supervised teaching experience in MCPS, and priority consideration for a contracted teaching position with MCPS. During each of the two teacher of record years, candidates receive a stipend of approximately $29,000. Social security tax is taken out of the stipend.

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  • Is additional scholarship money available?
    Information on scholarships is available by visiting the JHU OneStop Student Services website at http://onestop.jhu.edu/education/.

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  • Do I receive health or other benefits in the ProMAT program?

    Cohort members do not receive health insurance from MCPS but can apply for and purchase health insurance through JHU. For more information, visit the JHU OneStop Student Services website at http://onestop.jhu.edu/education.

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  • Do I get to select my own school?

    School assignment is determined by the needs of MCPS. No consideration is given to proximity to home, and most candidates will teach in schools located in the eastern or down-county portions of Montgomery County or in the Gaithersburg/Germantown area. Priority placements are made in the schools with which JHU maintains a special relationship, called Professional Development Schools (PDSs): Blake HS, Einstein HS, Gaithersburg HS, Kennedy HS, and Sligo MS.

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  • What if I'm not sure about teaching as a career or what grade level or subject I want to teach?

    You may wish to apply instead to one of JHU’s other MAT program options that provide flexibility for such decisions. ProMAT is intensive because candidates are placed in their own classrooms after a summer session of coursework and field experience. It is imperative that candidates are committed to teaching as a career prior to applying to ProMAT.

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  • Where are JHU ProMAT classes taught and who are the instructors?

    Classes are taught at the JHU Montgomery County Campus in Rockville and at the JHU Columbia Campus or at an MCPS school facility. Current or former MCPS teachers and administrators primarily serve as instructors and university supervisors.

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