Master's Degree in Computer and Applied Technology

The CAT Master's Program is designed to help teachers, trainers, and other professionals integrate technology into daily instruction and life. Students in this program learn emerging trends and issues related to instructional technology and its uses in professional and educational environments. Technologies such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, and other current and emerging trends are critically examined for educational use.

Throughout the program, students examine the applications of emerging technologies, legal, social, and ethical issues of technology, and the effects of technology on teaching and learning. Final projects include websites and other practical applications that can be used in multiple disciplines.

MA Program of Study (pdf)

Project I.T.

The Integrating Technology Project at The University of Alabama focuses on innovative and traditional best practices of infusing technology in its teacher education preparation programs. The overall goal of Project I.T. is to enable pre-service teachers to fully utilize instructional technologies and to prepare them for classroom best practices to enhance teaching and learning. The NETS standards for students and teachers form the framework of Project I.T.

Frequently Asked Questions

I do not have certification in a teaching field and am not seeking certification in my Masters program. Can I still enter the Curriculum and Instruction Masters option in Computers and Applied Technology?

For now, no. Knowledge of pedagogy and teaching experiences are essential for a Masters program in Curriculum and Instruction.

I have a class B certification, but want to ensure the Curriculum and Instruction Masters option in Computers and Applied Technology, upon completion, will garner a pay raise in my current job.

Alabama public schools pay according to the highest degree earned. Although not leading to Alabama Class A certification, this degree should enable teachers in Alabama Public Schools to receive master's level pay under the current policy.

Upon completion of this Master’s program, will I be able to use some of the courses to complete a Class-A certification program (e.g., secondary, elementary, special education)?

To complete a Class A certification program in a teaching field (e.g., language arts), in most cases the student would have the additional 15 semester hours requirement in the teaching field to complete.

I’m interested in pursuing an Ed.S. (Class AA in single teaching field) following completion of this Master’s degree. Will I be able to apply some of the courses I completed in the Master’s program?

The courses listed for a single teaching field for the Ed.S. degree (30 hour requirement) are additional and the Masters option in Computers and Applied Technology hours cannot be applied to the teaching field requirement.

I've been accepted as a non-degree student for now. How many course hours may I take under non-degree status?

You can take up to 12 for ONE semester as a non-degree. Summer sessions constitute as a semester.

I'm having trouble with my MAT/GRE score. Do you conditionally admit?

In some cases, if all other materials meet the program's standards, we may conditionally admit with a MAT score of 40 (50 is unconditional admit) and a 900 GRE (1000 is unconditional admit).

When do I take my comprehensive exams?

When 80% or more of your coursework has been completed. Within the first few weeks of the semester in which you intend to take the exam, you should complete the paperwork in 204 Graves. Generally, there is a comprehensive examination workshop two weeks prior to the exam. Additionally, many faculty provide “tip sheets.” CAT Masters students are required to complete two questions: 1) Educational Technology and 2) a choice of the General Education question (CSE530) OR appropriate teaching field question (CSE 5xx—Improving _____ Instruction).