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MAT
The Master of Arts in Teaching 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 licensure programs in preparation for teaching English, Latin and classical humanities, history, modern foreign languages (French, Spanish), political science, government, political philosophy, sociology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Students must pass the appropriate Massachusetts subject matter test to be eligible for licensure in that 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. You may send a copy of your transcript(s) and request a preliminary evaluation to: Office of Graduate Admissions, School of Education, Two Sherborn Street, Boston, MA 02215.

The MAT Program is designed for talented liberal arts graduates who may just be out of college or perhaps making a career change. The Master of Arts in Teaching Program does not presume that students have completed coursework in education, and successful MAT students traditionally come from a wide variety of undergraduate majors. Our program leads to licensure as an elementary, middle, or high school teacher in Massachusetts and 44 other states through reciprocal licensure agreements.

Each applicant is considered on the basis of the total application. Generally, an applicant should have at least a 2.7 grade point average, solid graduate test scores (GRE or Miller Analogies Test), and excellent recommendations.

During a student’s year of graduate studies, he or she will complete all coursework necessary for teaching licensure, observe, assist and aid teachers in a classroom prepracticum, and student teach. Most students begin the Master of Arts in Teaching in late June and complete 10 credits of graduate study in Education and a classroom prepracticum over the summer, though 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 and Sciences Department (for example, chemistry or history).

Boston University’s MAT Program offers a joint master’s degree that draws upon the rich resources of the entire University. Students will complete four courses in their chosen field of study in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and learn the science and methodology of teaching in the School of Education. Most of our MAT programs require 46 credits; an MAT in English Education requires 48 credits.

The fall semester consists of a student taking full-time master's-level courses in their academic field—Biology, English, Math, or History, for example—through Boston University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Boston University makes this liberal arts component a core requirement for the Master of Arts in Teaching to help make you a stronger teacher and more competitive in the job market.

The spring semester includes a class in teaching methods, instruction in special education, and a three-month student-teaching experience supervised by a veteran classroom teacher and Boston University faculty.

Students may be admitted to the MAT with undergraduate degrees in the following areas: English, Latin and Classical Humanities, history, mathematics, modern foreign languages, physics, political science/government, sociology, chemistry, and biology. We have also admitted students with undergraduate degrees in non-licensure programs, including economics, philosophy, and religion. Students with undergraduate degrees in interdisciplinary programs such as American studies or environmental studies may be eligible for teacher licensure as well.

Practicum
Boston University enjoys long-standing relationships with many inner city and suburban school systems in Greater Boston that offer our students rewarding field experiences under the guidance of expert teachers and faculty. The School of Education reserves the right to determine whether a student is fully prepared to enter any professional field experience. This would include passing the SED Literacy Test prior to starting the practicum.

Required Courses

One methods/curriculum course in the field of specialization:

Course descriptions

Noyce scholarship for mathematics majors

For additional information, please contact Dr. Stephan Ellenwood at 617-353-3238 or ellenwoo@bu.edu; or Dr. Daniel Davis at 617-353-3314 or dfdavis@bu.edu.

Download a description of this program