Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Lynn M. Gelzheiser, Interim Dean
Union Graduate College

Students at Union College can become certified to teach at the secondary school level through a five-year, combined degree graduate program in cooperation with The School of Education of Union Graduate College. Students can be certified to teach grades 7-12 in the following academic areas: English, languages (Chinese, French, German, Greek, Latin, and Spanish), mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and general science), social studies, and technology.

Students complete a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree from The School of Education of Union Graduate College. The cost of the fifth year is significantly lower than the cost of each year in the undergraduate school.

Undergraduate Component: Students complete the traditional undergraduate major, Educational Psychology (PSY-246), three terms of a foreign language, and the structured field experiences (EDS-500A and EDS-500B).

Admission to the MAT Program

Students should declare their interest in applying to this program by completing an application to Union Graduate College. The graduate application form can be obtained from either the Union Graduate College Admission’s office, the School of Education office at UGC, 80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308 or under Admissions at www.Uniongraduatecollege.edu.

M.A.T. Combined Degree Program graduate degree option: This option is for Union College undergraduates who have an overall GPA of 3.25. These students are permitted to have two upper division undergraduate courses count as part of the sixteen course M.A.T. program as well as for their bachelor’s degree.

M.A.T. Degree Program: This option is for Union College undergraduates who have a GPA below 3.25.

Courses to be Completed During the Undergraduate Program:

Students complete the regular requirements for their college academic major in addition to courses related to education. Specific courses that are required for each major are listed within the departmental listings of biology, chemistry, classics, economics, English, geology, history, mathematics, modern languages, physics, political science, and sociology.

Required prerequisite courses related to education include:

PSY 246 - Educational Psychology (In order to take PSY 246, Union undergraduates must take the pre-requisite PSY 100 );
Structured Field Experiences (EDS 500A and EDS 500B, each a non-credit course) before graduating from the undergraduate college. Students spend five consecutive school days on each of two site visits observing classes and meeting with secondary school teachers in the discipline for which they seek certification. At least one experience must be in a junior high or middle school and at least one must be a high school experience. One visit must be either in an urban or rural high-needs district. Visitations will be arranged during term breaks in the student’s sophomore and junior years, but must be completed prior to enrollment in the summer term’s Psychology of Teaching and Curriculum and Methods courses. Students must pick up packets of information and arrangement forms at the School of Education Office prior to arrangement of these experiences.
At least three terms of one foreign language or its equivalent is required of all teachers seeking NYS certification.

Overview of the MAT Program:

In the summer between their senior and graduate year, students will complete Psychology of Teaching (EDS 540), Curriculum and Methods (EDS 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, or 516), a Micro teaching Lab (EDS 540L), and EDS 541 Literacy for Secondary Teachers. In the fall, term students will complete the Special Needs Seminar (EDS 550A) and begin a year-long teaching internship (EDS 551-553). In the winter and spring terms, students will complete the teaching internship, and the Seminars in Instruction and Evaluation (EDS 550B & 550C), and a second course in literacy (EDS 544).

Those who undertake a one-term M.A.T. Project (EDS 580) and must complete additional courses (two to four) in their area of certification. (See the Graduate Studies catalogue of Union Graduate College for further description of the Master of Arts in Teaching M.A.T.). Students must also take a minimum of three graduate courses in their area of certification. Other program requirements include a teaching portfolio and New York State mandated workshops, e.g, SAVE school violence prevention, DASA, bullying.

New York State Certification

Program and faculty advisors will meet with students throughout their program to plan how to best meet these criteria through a variety of courses and experiences. Upon successful completion of the M.A.T. program and verification of meeting the criteria for certification, students will be recommended by Union Graduate College for New York State certification (many other states have reciprocity agreements with New York).

Each applicant for an initial teaching certificate must also achieve a satisfactory level of performance on the:

ALST (Academic Literacy Skills Test), EAS (Educating All Students) the Teacher Performance Assessment - (EdTPA), and the Content Specialty Test (CST);

Applicants for a professional certificate are required to satisfy all requirements for initial certification and also:

Have a master’s degree functionally related to the field of teaching;
Have two years of full-time teaching experience.

UGC’s M.A.T. degree provides graduates with the master’s degree functionally related to their field of teaching and qualifies them for Professional Certification once they have completed two years of successful teaching (which does NOT have to be in New York State or in a public school).