Degrees



Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Degree Program

The MAT degree program is designed for talented liberal arts majors who majored in mathematics or have significant coursework in mathematics and wish to become high school or middle school mathematics teachers. One of the special features of Boston University’s MAT program is that students take 16 credits of mathematics (4 courses) from the College of Arts and Sciences. The MAT program leads to Initial licensure as a teacher of mathematics.

The program includes:

  • Immersion in mathematics as part of the PROMYS for Teachers program, where you engage in mathematical exploration and discovery with other teachers. 
  • Integration of the best of method and content through close and ongoing collaboration of educators, mathematicians, and master teachers. MAT courses are taught by educators and by mathematicians. Explicit connections between deep mathematical ideas and student work in secondary school classrooms are highlighted in both graduate mathematics and mathematics education courses and also in field placements.
  • Teacher preparation for work in urban school settings that focuses on equity and emphasizes effective strategies to help diverse populations achieve in mathematics.  

General Information

Time to complete MAT: 12 months, full time

Credits: 48

Practicum: One field-based placement each semester

Tutoring: Candidates work with an urban high school student in the fall  

Coursework

General Education Courses

SED ED 500 Foundations of Educational Practices 6 credits
SED ED 501 Education Lab 0 credits
SED DS 502 Introduction to Adolescent Development 2 credits
SED SE 510 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction 2 credits
SED CT 575 General Methods of Instruction, Grades 5-12 4 credits
SED RS 600 Perspectives on Inquiry (research course) 4 credits

Mathematics Education Courses

SED ME 507 Student-Teaching Practicum 8 credits
SED ME 530 Teaching Mathematics in Urban Schools 2 credits
SED ME 547 Methods of Teaching Mathematics: High School 4 credits
SED ME 546    or Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Middle School  

Mathematics Courses

CAS MA 547 Topics in Number Theory (PROMYS Program) 4 credits
CAS MA 548 Problem Solving in Number Theory (PROMYS Program) 4 credits
CAS MA Mathematics elective (2 courses) 8 credits