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 (grades 5–12) 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 Units: 44

Education Coursework (8 units)

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

English & English Education Coursework (26 units)

• CAS/WED EN 538 American Literature for Teachers (4 units)
• WED EN 500 Lesson Design & Instruction Delivery in the Humanities (2 units)
• WED EN 631 Educating for Equity & Literacy in the Humanities (4 units)
• WED EN 701 Teaching Classic & Contemporary Texts (4 units)
• WED EN 711 Critical Literacy as Lens (4 units)
• WED EN 712 Methods of Teaching Writing in Secondary English Language Arts (4 units)
• Elective: one additional English course offered by the College of Arts & Sciences or another University department (4 units)

Field Experiences (10 units)

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

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

The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Program offers a five-course, 18-unit add-on license pathway for licensure-seeking graduate students pursuing initial certification in another content area. Through this pathway, licensure-seeking students also meet requirements for an initial license in English as a Second Language (ESL) (5–12) in Massachusetts.

In this course of study, students are introduced to the key factors affecting second language acquisition, learn techniques for fostering language development through rich academic content, and practice strategies relevant to teaching English as a second language. In addition, they learn how to support students’ literacy skills in their home languages and how to integrate best practices of culturally sustaining teaching into their classrooms. As part of the program, licensure-seeking students complete an ESL practicum.

This pathway consists of the following courses:

Total Units: 18

• WED BI 504 Seminar: The Student Teaching Experience (2 units)
• WED BI 535 Literacy Development for Bilingual Students: Instruction and Assessment (4 units)
• WED LS 658 Second Language Acquisition (4 units)
• WED TL 508 Methods in Teaching English as a Second Language (4 units)
• WED TL 582 and 583 Student-Teaching Practicum ESL, 5–12 (4 units)