Degree and Certificate of Advanced Study Requirements
Master of Arts in Teaching Program (MAT)
Master of Mathematics for Teaching (MMT)
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
School of Education Literacy Test
Transfer of Credits
Minimum course requirements for all graduate programs must be met by graduate courses (500 level or higher).
Master of Education (EdM)
Applicants for the master’s degree must hold a bachelor’s degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited institution. If accepted, candidates must complete a minimum of eight graduate-level courses or the equivalent (32 credits), approved by the advisor. Departments may require graduate credits beyond the 32-credit minimum. One of the courses must be SED RS 600 or equivalent.
Master of Arts in Teaching Program (MAT)
The MAT program is a one-calendar-year program designed for liberal arts majors who want to continue their graduate studies in an academic field and at the same time secure teacher licensure. Students may be admitted to programs in preparation for teaching English, Latin and classical humanities, history, modern foreign languages (French, Spanish), political science/government, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students must pass the appropriate Massachusetts subject matter test to be eligible for licensure in a particular field. Depending on how many courses applicants have successfully completed in one of the above academic areas, students may be eligible for immediate admission or may need to complete additional courses beyond the 46 graduate-level credits required within the MAT program. Please note that the MAT in English requires 48 credits for graduation. You may send a copy of your transcript(s) and request a preliminary evaluation to: Graduate Admissions, School of Education, Two Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215.
Each applicant is considered on the basis of the total application. Generally, an applicant should have a strong grade point average and statements, solid graduate test scores (GRE or Miller Analogies Test), and excellent recommendations.
Though the program begins in late June each year, it is possible to begin in September. There is a rolling admissions policy; applicants are considered as their applications are completed. Each application is reviewed by the School of Education faculty and the corresponding Graduate School of Arts & Sciences departments (for example, chemistry or history).
For additional information, please contact Dr. Stephan Ellenwood at 617-353-3238, e-mail: ellenwoo@bu.edu; or Dr. Daniel Davis at 617-353-3314, e-mail: dfdavis@bu.edu.
Master of Mathematics for Teaching (MMT)
The MMT degree is designed for teachers who seek a content-rich experience of mathematics that will be relevant to their work in the classroom. The program helps students prepare for leadership roles in developing mathematics curriculum and teacher training. These courses stress depth over breadth and are designed around mathematics for teaching. The MMT is offered to applicants who hold an initial licensure for teaching mathematics and have taught a minimum of two years under that license.
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Doctoral candidates must hold a master’s degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited institution. Students entering the doctoral program with advanced standing—where that option is available—(example: two master’s degrees or a master’s and a CAGS) will be required to complete a minimum of 32 graduate-level (500 level or higher) credits. Specific requirements relative to the selection of courses, seminars, and research or independent study are determined by the student’s department of concentration. Departments generally require credits beyond the schoolwide minimum.
- Each EdD candidate must complete a schoolwide core requirement of one 4-credit course (SED ED 700 series) in the first academic year of matriculation.
- Every doctoral candidate must complete at least four courses (16 credits), beyond those taken at the master’s level, from a list of designated research offerings. This includes SED RS 652 and SED RS 653 or their equivalents, SED RS 654, and one of SED RS 750, SED RS 751, or SED AP 998.
- Every doctoral candidate must spend a minimum of two consecutive semesters in residence at Boston University. Residence is defined as registration for a minimum of 12 credit hours at the University during each of two consecutive semesters. (Summer Terms may be considered one semester.) Other options are found in the note following #6.
- A formal application for a comprehensive examination or alternative requirement set by the candidate’s department must be filed with the department chair and faculty advisor. The required work must be completed successfully.
- Each candidate must demonstrate the ability to make a significant contribution in his or her field and to report this contribution successfully in a doctoral dissertation.
- For doctoral-level registration requirements, refer to the Policies and Procedures for SED Graduate Students section of this site.
Note: The residency requirement may be met by holding a research or teaching assistant position or being employed at Boston University 35 hours or more per week and registering for a minimum of 8 credit hours for two consecutive semesters. For additional information, contact your academic advisor or refer to the School of Education Policies and Regulations Handbook.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
CAGS candidates must hold a master’s degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited institution. A minimum of seven-and-a-half semester courses (30 credits) and approval of the assigned advisor are required for the CAGS. A department or program may require additional coursework.
CAGS candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive examination or major project in addition to completing coursework as agreed upon with the faculty advisor and approved by the department chair.
School of Education Literacy Test
Master’s candidates (EdM, MAT) seeking initial teacher licensure in Massachusetts must take the School of Education’s Literacy Test during the first semester of enrollment in order to register for subsequent semesters. An overall score of 70% must be obtained before a student is permitted to enter a student-teaching practicum.
Master’s candidates seeking initial Massachusetts licensure who have passed the MTEL Communication and Literacy Test prior to entrance into a master’s program will not be required to take the School of Education’s Literacy Test. A copy of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Test results must be provided to the SED Student Records office before an exemption from the School of Education test will be approved.
Transfer of Credits
With permission, eight credits at the graduate level may be earned for acceptance prior to formal acceptance into the graduate program (not used toward another degree). Graduate candidates who wish to have credits accepted must submit a petition to the Student Records office, Two Silber Way, Boston, MA 02215, after a formal offer of admission is made.
Students exceeding the 8-credit limit are assumed to be taking the work for purposes other than application toward a degree or CAGS.
Published by Trustees of Boston University
One Silber Way
Boston, MA 02215
6 October 2009
Boston University
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