Designed for aspiring teachers and career changers, the Master of Arts in Secondary Education (MAT)1 offers an appreciation for and an understanding of the diverse educational needs, social concerns, and cultural values of today’s secondary schools.
This MAT in secondary education seeks to enhance your foundational skills, broaden your perspectives, and strengthen your ability to inspire and educate. This master’s degree, which includes a full term of student teaching, seeks to produce graduates well positioned to make a meaningful impact in their school, in their community, and in the lives of their students.
- Gain political, social, and historical perspectives on education
- Explore the richly complex environments of schools and communities
- Develop a working understanding of teaching and learning in diverse settings
- Investigate how humans learn, acquire knowledge, and make sense of their experiences
- Examine theories of teaching and explore how best to teach for understanding and learning achievement
- Research methods and materials, pedagogies, and assessment strategies that foster integrated learning
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The Master of Arts in Secondary Education (grades 8–12) has been approved at the initial licensure level by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6104 | Child and Adolescent Development, Learning, and Teaching | 4 |
| EDU 6107 | Inclusion, Equity, and Diversity | 4 |
| EDU 6101 | Critical Issues in Education: Past and Present | 2 |
| EDU 6102 | Reflection, Community Engagement, and Agency in Education | 2 |
| EDU 6064 | Curriculum and Assessment | 4 |
| EDU 6162 | Language, Culture, and Literacy in Middle and High Schools | 4 |
| EDU 6185 | English-Language Learners in the General Education Classroom | 4 |
| EDU 6051 | Introduction to Social Justice in Educational Settings | 4 |
| EDU 6183 | Collaborative Strategies for Effective Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDU 6866 | Teaching Practicum and Seminar | 6 |
| Complete one of the following courses: | 4 | |
| Teaching the Language Arts | ||
| Teaching History and the Social Sciences | ||
| Teaching Science | ||
| Teaching Mathematics | ||
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Complete 4 quarter hours from the following: | 4 | |
| Interdisciplinary Foundations | ||
| Introduction to Language and Linguistics | ||
| Special Education: Role of Special Educators in an Inclusive School | ||
| Developmental Language, Literacy, and Writing: Assessment and Instruction | ||
| Variations in Child and Adolescent Development | ||
| Assessment in Education | ||
| Teachers as Curriculum Leaders | ||
| Critical and Creative Thinking | ||
| Sheltered English Instruction and Assessment | ||
| Learning and the Brain: Translating Research into Practice | ||
| Adaptive Learning/Behavior Management Strategies: Consultation and Collaboration | ||
| Differentiated Instruction and Assessment in Mathematics | ||
Program Credit/GPA Requirements
45 total quarter hours required
Minimum 3.000 GPA required
Looking to deepen your knowledge and expertise?
The MAT+ offers qualifying students the opportunity to complete a MAT with further study in a selected area of expertise. Currently, students can take additional coursework to earn either an additional license in special education (teacher of students of moderate disabilities, PreK–8 or 5–12) or an additional license in ESL (teacher of English as a Second Language, PreK-8 or 5-12).
MAT+ in Special Education
The MAT+ provides qualifying students with the opportunity to complete a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with further study in a selected area of expertise. Currently, students can take additional coursework to earn either an additional license in special education (teacher of students of moderate disabilities, PreK-8 or 5-12) or an additional license in ESL (teacher of English as a Second Language, PreK-8 or 5-12). Teacher candidates may also plan a program of study that allows for triple licensure in consultation with the program director.
The special education course requirements are:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6425 | Special Education: Role of Special Educators in an Inclusive School | 4 |
| EDU 6426 | Developmental Language, Literacy, and Writing: Assessment and Instruction | 4 |
| EDU 6528 | Adaptive Learning/Behavior Management Strategies: Consultation and Collaboration | 4 |
| EDU 6569 | Differentiated Instruction and Assessment in Mathematics | 4 |
| EDU 6874 | Practicum, Portfolio, and Panel Review | 4 |
MAT+ in English as a Second Language (ESL)
This Commonwealth of Massachusetts-approved MAT+ program consists of five courses, some of which may be taken as electives in the MAT program.
The English as a Second Language course requirements are:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 6300 | Introduction to Language and Linguistics | 4 |
| EDU 6516 | Sheltered English Instruction and Assessment | 4 |
| EDU 6517 | Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language: Research and Practice | 4 |
| EDU 6310 | Literacy Development and the Academic Domains | 4 |
| EDU 6874 | Practicum, Portfolio, and Panel Review | 4 |