Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Patrick Allen, 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.

Admission to the MAT Program

Students should declare their interest in applying to this program by completing an application to the degree program listed below.

M.A.T. Combined Degree Program graduate degree option: This option is for Union College undergraduates who have an overall GPA of 3.25 or above who wish to obtain Initial NYS certification, grades 7-12 in English, foreign language (Chinese, French, German, Greek, Latin, and Spanish), mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth science [geology], or physics), social studies, or technology. 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. Students should complete a graduate application form obtained from either the Union Graduate College Admission’s office or the School of Education office at UGC, 80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308. Applicants should complete their application no later than the end of the fall term of their senior year.

M.A.T. Five Year Certification: This option is for Union College undergraduates who have a GPA below 3.25. Students can apply to the M.A.T. program and, if accepted, complete the work for Initial NYS certification, grades 7-12 in English, foreign language, mathematics, science, social studies, or technology.

Undergraduate Certification: Given certification requirements that became effective on Feb. 2, 2004, the School of Education strongly recommends that any Union undergraduate seek certification through either the combined degree program listed above or by pursuing a Master’s degree in the M.A.T. program at Union Graduate College subsequent to completing their undergraduate degree at Union College. In our professional estimation, since all New York State teachers must attain a master’s degree within five years of receiving initial certification, there is little time for most teachers working full-time to also complete a master’s degree.

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. EDS 500C is completed during the first two weeks of the student’s internship in the fall term. 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.

Grades 7-12 Certification

To be considered for a recommendation for certification, students must submit a final portfolio as part of the M.A.T. program that describes how they have met each of the certification criteria listed below. a concentration of coursework in the area appropriate to their teaching certificate (specific requirements for each major are listed under each academic department): at least one year of college-level study in a language other than English or its equivalent (usually 3 levels of secondary foreign language or more with a B average or above); an internship at both the middle level (7-8) and high school grades (9-12). (Not to be confused with structured field experiences). an edited videotape illustrating teaching effectiveness. a two-hour SAVE workshop on preventing school violence; an official fingerprint application for clearance to work in a school.

Students must also provide evidence that they can:

create a productive learning environment;
demonstrate mastery of subject matter and the ability to communicate it effectively to students;
plan and execute effective instructional activities;
teach effectively using multiple methods of instruction;
monitor and design effective formal and informal assessments of student learning;
manage student behavior effectively;
establish a classroom culture of mutual respect;
recognize students as individuals;
encourage discussion as a learning tool;
address the special developmental and educational needs of middle level and high school students;
work effectively with students from minority cultures;
work effectively with students from homes where English is not spoken;
work effectively with students with handicapping conditions;
work effectively with gifted and talented students;
work cooperatively and effectively with other faculty and staff members;
work effectively with parents and community members to enhance the education of students;
communicate clearly and accurately with students, administrators, parents, and the public;
integrate technology in the service of effective learning;
strive continuously for improvement by seeking advice from mentors, supervisors, and faculty while implementing that advice effectively.

Five-Year Combined Degree Program

Students may choose to remain at Union for an additional year and 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, PSY 246 - Educational Psychology , three terms of a foreign language, and the structured field experiences (EDS 500A and EDS 500B).

Graduate Component: In the summer between their senior and graduate year, students will complete Psychology of Teaching (EDS 540), Curriculum and Methods (EDS 511 & 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 complete the two-term Master’s Research and Thesis also complete one additional course in their core area. Those who undertake a one-term M.A.T. Project (EDS 580) must complete two additional courses in their core area. (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.

Criteria for Admission to the Fifth Year: To be eligible for graduate study, students must meet the criteria outlined for the M.A.T. degree. To be eligible for an internship, students must obtain favorable recommendations from:

school personnel who have worked with them in prerequisite field experiences,
UGC faculty teaching the summer professional coursework, and
college faculty in the student’s major area of concentration. Entrance into the internship portion of the program is contingent upon completion of Psychology of Teaching, Literacy for the Secondary Teacher, and the appropriate Curriculum and Methods course with a minimum grade of B. Students should apply for the fifth-year program no later than the winter of their senior year.

Applications and additional information about the MAT program may be obtained from the School of Education office at UGC, 80 Nott Terrace, Schenectady, NY 12308

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:

LAST (Liberal Arts and Sciences), the Assessment of Teaching Skills-Written (ATS-W), and the Content Specialty Test (CST);
satisfactorily complete a supervised internship.

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).