Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
Empire State College's Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is designed for career changers seeking certification to teach in high-need schools at the middle-school and high-school levels in math, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, Spanish, French, English and social studies.
This three-year program provides the opportunity for the student to become eligible for the New York State Education Department transitional B teaching certificate after successfully completing just one year of part-time study. Transitional B certification allows students to be employed as a teacher after the first year, while supporting his or her ongoing intellectual and professional development through online courses and face-to-face meetings.
Program Design
This is a 42 credit, three-year program, of part-time study taught through onsite and online resources. It provides mentoring and other forms of professional development throughout the program including the first two years of teaching.
Upon admission to the M.A.T. program, you are assigned a mentor located in your region of the state. Your mentor, who may or may not be in your content area, will guide you through the program.
First Year
- Effective Urban Schools
- Child and Adolescent Development
- Teaching and Learning
- Exceptionalities: Individualizing Learning
- Teaching Diverse Learners
Second Year (in-classroom experience)
- Teaching and Curriculum
- Mentored Teaching 1
- Educational Evaluation
- Mentored Teaching 2
- Content Area Study
Third Year (in-classroom experience)
- Literacy
- Mentored Teaching 3
- Literacy Across the Curriculum
- Mentored Teaching: Teaching Portfolio
Transitional B Teaching Certificate Requirements
To qualify for the transitional B teaching certificate the student must:
- successfully complete the first year of the M.A.T. program, which incorporates the introductory requirements for the transitional B certificate
- complete 50 hours of field experience
- obtain passing scores on the LAST and CST and other NYSED certification requirements; (see additional information about upcoming changes to NYS certification examinations at the NYSED website)
- fulfill all content and general-education requirements
- find a full-time mentored teaching position for the transitional B certification application
NYS Initial Teaching Certificate Requirements
To qualify for the New York state initial teaching certificate, the candidate must:
- complete all degree requirements, including two years of successful mentored teaching under the transitional B certificate
- pass the required NYS Teacher Certification Examination written assessment of teaching skills test (ATS-W).
M.A.T. Courses for Nondegree Students
If you are a teacher seeking professional development or a motivated adult seeking certification outside a traditional program, consider taking our online and blended courses as a nondegree student. Courses are offered by term.
More Information
Visit the M.A. in Teaching pages on the School for Graduate Studies’ website. You also may attend an information session or submit a request for more information.
Apply for Admission
To apply for the Master of Arts in Teaching, review the admissions requirements and submit an online application.
