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December 2023

This newsletter contains news and information of interest about
Montana Rural Teacher Project. Thanks for staying informed.

MRTP Highlight

This month we would like to highlight Jamie O'Callaghan. Jamie has worked with MSU since 2002 in a multitude of roles and has worked with career-transitioning rural teachers since 2006.


Jamie is essentially the hub of the Master of Arts in Teaching program. She is the MAT program manager and academic advisor. In this role she provides student support, coordinates field placement, and directs MSU's summer Inclusive Community Camp (ICC).


When asked about her favorite part of working with career-transitioning rural teachers Jamie had many components to share:


I love getting to know our students and communities around the state. I love the stories that our students come to me with and hearing about their backgrounds and goals. I love supporting them through the program and I really love seeing their success in their own classrooms. I also love working with our awesome faculty, staff and community partner stakeholders. My job makes me feel super connected to our state and our communities.


When asked about her favorite part of the MAT program she shared:


I love camp! Watching everyone come together creates synergy! Every year watching our students work with their kids is the best possible thing ever. Combine that with getting to know them better personally and watch them come together as a group and community is just magic!

MAT Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching program continues to evolve with the changing needs of the profession to best support our partner schools and new teachers.


The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is for individuals with a bachelor's degree who are interested in becoming a licensed teacher in Montana. The MAT is now offering rolling applications and start dates for Spring, Summer, and Fall for all endorsements.


Coursework has recently been modified to support classroom teachers on Class 5 provisional licenses.


Available endorsements for licensure are:


Elementary Education

Secondary Education:

  • Math
  • General Science
  • Social Studies
  • English/Language Arts
  • Modern Languages: Spanish, French, German
  • Family & Consumer Sciences


An ADDED ENDORSEMENT track for Elementary Education is also offered, either with or without a master's degree option.


Read more about the MAT degree here.

Give the Gift of a 3 Credit Tuition Waiver!

The MSU Graduate School offers the Refer-a-Bobcat program for licensed educators. This program provides a 3 credit tuition waiver for students referred and admitted to a master's degree program. For the typical 30 credit master's degree program, this

is a 10% discount on tuition!


Does a member of your community come to mind?


Invite them to contact Jamie O'Callaghan and refer a potential new teacher to the MAT program today!

Accepting applications now.

Candidates can begin as soon as January 2024.