MAT in English Education for Equity & Justice

The Boston University Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in English Education for Equity & Justice is designed for liberal arts graduates in English (or related fields) who wish to teach in middle or secondary schools with an equity and justice–oriented lens. In collaboration with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, students in this program prepare for Massachusetts initial teacher licensure and further strengthen their chosen academic fields.

The program requirements include graduate-level courses in English Education and English literature, professional education courses, and several field experiences. The courses introduce students to lesson design, critical literacy, instructional delivery, and evidence-based and humanizing methods for the teaching of writing and text.

Additional coursework in supporting multilingual learners, adolescent development, and special education allows students to look beyond the classroom to the social, historic, psychological, economic, and cultural factors that influence the student’s school experience.

The MAT program is a one-year program for full-time students seeking initial licensure for teaching at the middle or secondary levels in accordance with requirements in the state of Massachusetts. Licensure reciprocity exists with many states, but students should investigate specifics in the state of anticipated residence.

The program begins in June each year, though students may also begin in September. It is also possible to complete the degree over a longer time period as a part-time student.

Learning Outcomes

• Equity-Driven and Humanizing Orientation to Teaching: Understands how identity and intersectionality can impact teaching and learning and centers pedagogical choices that affirm the full humanity of students.
• Curriculum, Planning, and Assessment: Promotes the learning and growth of all students by providing high quality and coherent instruction, designing and administering authentic and meaningful student assessments, analyzing student performance and growth data, using this data to improve instruction, providing students with constructive feedback on an ongoing basis, and continuously refining learning objectives (Well-structured lessons, adjustments to practice; Reflective Practice).
• Teaching All Students: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through instructional practices that establish high expectations, create a safe and effective classroom environment, and demonstrate cultural proficiency (High Expectations; Meeting diverse needs; Safe Learning Environment).
• Family and Community Engagement: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through effective partnerships with families, caregivers, community members, and organizations.
• Professional Culture: Promotes the learning and growth of all students through ethical, culturally proficient, skilled, and collaborative practice (Meeting Diverse Needs).
• Demonstrates Subject Matter Knowledge.

Program Requirements

Total Credits: 44

Education Coursework (8 cr)

• SED DS 502 Adolescent Development (2 cr)
• SED SE 510 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction (2 cr)
• SED TL 525 Teaching English Learners: Middle/High School (4 cr)

English & English Education Coursework (26 cr)

• SED EN 500 Lesson Design & Instruction Delivery in the Humanities (2 cr)
• CAS/SED EN 538 American Literature for Teachers (4 cr)
• SED EN 630 Educating for Equity & Literacy in the Humanities (4 cr)
• SED EN 701 Teaching Classic & Contemporary Texts (4 cr)
• SED EN 711 Critical Literacy as Lens (4 cr)
• SED EN 712 Methods of Teaching Writing in Secondary English Language Arts (4 cr)
• Elective: one additional English course offered by the College of Arts & Sciences or another University department (4 cr)

Field Experiences (10 cr)

• SED EN 507 Student-Teaching Practicum: English, Grades 5–8 (8 cr) or SED EN 508 Student-Teaching Practicum: English, Grades 9­–12 (8 cr)
• SED EN 520 Pre-Practicum in English Education (2 cr)

Add-On License in Teaching English Language Learners (ESL)

The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages) Program offers a six-course, 26-credit add-on license pathway that allows MAT students in content-specific areas (e.g., English Education, Social Studies Education, Mathematics Education, and Science Education) to meet requirements for a Massachusetts licensure endorsement as Teacher of English Language Learners (ESL). In this course of study, students are exposed to a theoretical introduction to the nature and structure of language, key factors affecting second-language acquisition, and communicative approaches to the teaching of English as a second or foreign language. In addition to the six courses, students are required to complete an ESL Practicum. This pathway requires MAT candidates to add one additional summer and part-time semester to their regular MAT program timeline.

This pathway consists of the following courses:

Total Credits: 32

• SED BI 504 Seminar: The Student Teaching Experience (2 cr)
• SED BI 530 English Language Development: Grade 5–12 English Language Learners (2 cr) or SED BI 535 (4 cr)
• Literacy Development for Bilingual Students: Instruction and Assessment (4 cr)
• SED BI 620 Educational Issues in Bilingualism (4 cr)
• SED LS 565 Introduction to Linguistics (4 cr)
• SED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition (4 cr)
• SED TL 508 Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language (4 cr)
• SED TL 582 and 583 Student-Teaching Practicum I and II: ESL, 5–12 (6 cr)