School for Graduate Studies

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Master of Arts in Teaching Clinically Rich Residency Program

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Clinically Rich Residency Program is an innovative pathway to New York State Initial Certification (adolescent level, grades 7-12) in the following content areas:

  • biology
  • chemistry
  • earth science
  • English
  • language other than English (French)
  • language other than English (Spanish)
  • mathematics
  • physics
  • social studies.

Program Design

The Master of Arts in Teaching Clinically Rich Residency Program uses a blended model of delivery, with online, face-to-face and clinically based instructional modes. After completing the first year of the MAT program (18 credits), you will begin a year-long placement in a 7-12 classroom with a critic teacher certified in the resident's content area. As a resident, you will assume more responsibility incrementally for the classroom, culminating in the complete assumption of the critic teacher's classes for eight weeks during the spring term.

During the year-long residency, you will complete an additional 24 credits of relevant course work that links theory to classroom practice. You also will receive intensive mentoring by faculty members and supervisors. The program concludes with the teaching portfolio, the capstone project within the MAT program. Upon graduation, you will be recommended for initial and professional certification.

First Year

  • Effective Urban Schools
  • Child and Adolescent Development
  • Teaching and Learning
  • Exceptionalities: Individualizing Learning
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Content Area Study

Second Year (Residency Year)

  • Teaching and Curriculum
  • Literacy
  • Residency Seminar 1
  • Educational Evaluation
  • Literacy Across the Curriculum
  • Residency Seminar 2
  • Teaching Portfolio

New York State Initial Teaching Certificate Requirements

To qualify for the New York state initial teaching certificate, the candidate must:

  • complete all degree requirements, including one year in a clinically rich residency placement
  • pass the required NYS Teacher Certification Examination written assessment of teaching skills test (ATS-W).

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Do students need to apply to the residency if they already are accepted to the original MAT transitional B certification program?

Yes, they need to apply for a slot in this program beyond their acceptance into the MAT program.

Question: Can students apply to more than one region?

Yes, they are able to select their first and second geographic preference on the application. The MA. program is offered in the following regions: Western New York (Buffalo/Rochester), Syracuse, the Capital Region, Hudson Valley and New York City.

Question: What does the application process entail?

The selection process for the residency will occur in the spring of the first year of the MAT program. Acceptance will be selective. Requirements include:

  • a minimum 3.25 overall grade point average in the MAT program.
  • successful completion of child and adolescent development, effective urban schools, exceptionalities, teaching and learning and all course deficiencies
  • successful completion of the CST, LAST, two workshops and fingerprint clearance
  • response to the application essay
  • submission of a letter of support from an MAT faculty member
  • completion of 100 classroom-observation hours (50 more than required for transitional B certificate).

Selection Process

  • The final selection of residents will be made by MAT program faculty.
  • Additional approval by the partnering school district will be required for placement.
  • A joint interview with school district and MAT personnel is required.