Empire State College's Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

Empire State College's Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program provides opportunities for adults to enter the classroom within one year, then provides extensive support for two additional years while they gain teaching experience and complete their master's degrees. The M.A.T. program leads to New York State Transitional B certification and then initial teacher certification. After one additional year of teaching, students are eligible for professional certification.

This program has some special advantages for adult learners, compared to other alternative programs:

• Students enroll part-time in the first-year course work while they retain their existing employment. They have the opportunity to enter the classroom full time in the second year as paid teachers and continue part-time study for the M.A.T.
• The first-year course work, which is coupled with some field work in the schools, gives students an extended period in which to integrate their learning and test out their interest in teaching.
• The program features online courses and learning resources, giving students a state-of-the-art learning experience that can be carried out alongside family and professional responsibilities. The expected result is that adult students have real access to the program and are better prepared for the classroom.
• The program provides close on-site mentoring and collaboration with peers during the first two years of teaching.
• The program fully integrates subject matter expertise with developing teaching skills.

Note:

• This program is designed for adults seeking certification to teach in New York state schools at the middle-school or high-school level.
• The program leads to certification only in the core academic subjects (math, sciences, languages, English, and social studies).
• Students who teach for a specified period of time in high-need fields and settings may be eligible for forgiveness of federal education loans.

Admission is selective. Application forms are available online. More information on admission requirements and program design is available at the program's website.