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Teacher in the classroom

Teaching
MAT

In Massachusetts, teachers need to earn their Professional Licensure after they’ve taught for 5 years in a public school. A Professional Licensure helps you deepen your content knowledge and strengthen your teaching practices. 

Our MAT-Professional Licensure program combines five advanced pedagogy courses along with five content courses, and has the flexibility to allow you to earn credit toward licensure in Special Education or English as a Second Language. 

For students who have already earned their masters degree, we offer the opportunity to advance your teaching license. Our program provides you with the content courses needed to earn a Professional Licensure. Students are eligible for their professional licensure if they:

  • hold an Initial License from another institution
  • have obtained an Initial license through a district-based program
  • have same area and level as Initial License

MAT students can prepare for professional licensure in:

  • Biology, grades 8-12
  • Chemistry, grades 8-12
  • English, grades 5-8
  • English, grades 8-12
  • French, grades 5-12
  • General Science, grades 5-8
  • History, grades 5-8
  • History, grades 8-12
  • Mathematics, grades 5-8
  • Mathematics, grades 8-12
  • Physics, grades 8-12
  • Portuguese, grades 5-12
  • Spanish, grades 5-12

Student success

UMassD School of Education mean starting salary

NACE Data Collection of Class of 2023 Graduate Alumni

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • $60 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
  • English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
  • GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Program-specific requirements

Candidates must submit the required application materials, university requirements and program-specific requirements, for consideration.

  • International students are not eligible for this program. 
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA.
  • The statement of purpose should be approximately 1-2 pages in length and describe your beliefs about teaching and learning and why you have chosen teaching as a profession.
  • MTEL results are currently not required for admission.
  • 2 letters of recommendation from someone who can attest to your ability/potential as a teacher. Applicants will be required to provide the recommenders name and email address so we can contact the recommender for the letter of recommendation.
  • Copy of Initial License (Professional Licensure Program application requirement only).

 

Application dates

#4

Graduate Programs in Education among public schools in Massachusetts - U.S. News & World Report

4+1 BA/BS-MAT: a fast track to teaching

UMass Dartmouth undergraduates may enroll in up to 15 credits of graduate-level education courses in place of five free electives in their undergraduate program. These five courses complete half the master's degree as an undergraduate, significantly reducing the time and costs associated with earning a graduate degree.

Learn more about 4+1 BA/BS-MAT at UMass Dartmouth

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about the Teaching MAT program? Below are answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.

You will earn your Professional License during this program.

The MAT program prepares you to teach any grade throughout the K-12 system.

UMass Dartmouth's School of Education not only prepares students for a job in teaching, but a career in education. We are a research-active school that puts students in touch with career professionals who may also work in school administration and other aspects of education beyond just teaching.

To further your education, we also offer an Education Doctorate in Education Leadership (EdD) and a STEM Education PhD.

Yes, our MAT program is flexible enough to allow you to begin earning credits toward licensure in special education or English as a Second Language (ESL).

An MAT teaches practical skills for teachers to utilize in the classroom; an MAE teaches methods for critically evaluating education practices.

While an MAT prepares you to teach students, an MAE prepares you to become a principal or a specialist in literacy or instruction. 

No, international students are not eligible for this program.

Yes, UMass Dartmouth offers a 4+1 accelerated BS-MAT program. You can begin taking graduate level teaching classes during your bachelor's degree program, and complete the MAT in just one year.

In Massachusetts, teachers must advance to a Professional License after they've taught for 5 years.

If you have a master's degree and an Initial License, you are eligible to advance to a Professional License through this program.