College of Arts and Sciences
MAT Professional
Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and advance to Professional Licensure. Learn how to foster a welcoming and productive classroom environment to teach your students with passion and expertise.
Program details
- Degree
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- Modality
- On-campus
- Duration
- 2 years
- Total Credits
- 30
- Annual mean wage for teachers in Massachusetts:
- $93,420 Annual mean wage for teachers in Massachusetts. View career outcomes.
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Why get your Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at UMass Dartmouth?
The Master of Arts in Teaching program at UMass Dartmouth allows teachers to earn Professional Licensure. Deepen your content knowledge and strengthen your teaching practices through our program, which also allows the flexibility to earn credits toward a special education or English as a Second Language (ESL) license.
This program is designed for students who currently hold an Initial License, but who want to advance their license and have not yet earned a master's degree. Upon graduation, you will earn Professional Licensure and a master's degree in teaching.
For educators seeking their Initial License, we offer a Non-Licensure MAT program.
Launch your career
Salary range: $93,420What can I do with an MAT?
With a Master of Arts in Teaching, you can become a(n):
- Elementary school teacher
- Middle school teacher
- High school teacher
Curriculum
During the Master of Arts in Teaching program, you will learn the skills to:
- Build engaging, effective lessons and curriculum
- Create supportive and inclusive classrooms
- Understand how students learn
- Assess student learning
- Support students with diverse needs
Real-world experience
We offer field-based experiences to prepare students for a career in education. You will apply coursework and theory to practice inside a variety of classroom settings. Observe and interact with teachers and students in different learning environments to sharpen your skills and gain hands-on experience.
Course descriptions and requirements
Explore the official academic catalog for detailed curriculum requirements, course descriptions and program information.
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Student Spotlight
- Hometown
- Somerset, MA
- Program
- Psychology, Teaching
Research
As an R2 national research university, UMass Dartmouth is home to a robust research enterprise spanning disciplines and addressing complex challenges. Faculty and graduate students in the School of Education are conducting innovative research in many areas.
Areas of Research
- Theories of STEM learning
- Organizational impacts on students
- Social emotional learning
- Cognitive development
- Assessment technologies
- Development of teachers' specialized knowledge for teaching science
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Research spotlight
Admissions
Ready to take the next step? Start your application to UMass Dartmouth any time. Graduate admission requirements include university-wide requirements as well as additional requirements that may vary by program.
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).
Graduate admissions FAQs
UMass Dartmouth offers competitive graduate assistantships and fellowships that may provide stipends and tuition credits. Assistantships are available in select programs and are awarded based on factors such as academic record, program needs, and available funding.
Graduate programs at UMass Dartmouth offer admission for fall, spring, and/or summer terms, depending on the program. Most programs offer fall admission, while some also admit students in the spring or summer. International students may apply for fall or spring admission only.
Yes. You may transfer up to 6 graduate credits from another institution toward a UMass Dartmouth graduate degree, with approval from the relevant department, dean, and Office of Graduate Studies. Transfer courses must be completed with a grade of B- or better. Credits already used toward another degree or certificate generally cannot also be applied toward a UMass Dartmouth graduate degree.
International graduate admissions FAQs
International applicants may need to provide proof of English proficiency and have academic credentials from institutions outside the United States evaluated. Additional requirements may vary by program.
UMass Dartmouth accepts several English proficiency exams, including the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, and Pearson PTE Academic. Minimum scores may vary by program, so applicants should check their program's specific requirements.
International students who plan to study on campus in the United States generally need an F-1 student visa and an I-20 issued by UMass Dartmouth. Students enrolling in fully online programs generally do not need or qualify for an I-20. Visa requirements and eligibility depend on the student's program and enrollment format.
Yes. UMass Dartmouth accepts degrees from accredited institutions outside the United States. International academic credentials may need to be evaluated to determine their U.S. equivalency. Applicants should check their program's requirements for specific credential-evaluation instructions.
Accolades
UMass Dartmouth is a nationally ranked R2 research university that combines the resources of a major university with a personalized educational experience. Ranked among the top 15 public research institutions with fewer than 10,000 students and in the top 17% nationally for return on investment, UMass Dartmouth is recognized for advancing research, social mobility, and career-ready education.
Nationally ranked discovery across arts and sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences brings together nationally ranked programs, accomplished scholars, and research with measurable impact. Its faculty includes eight Fulbright Scholars and has secured more than $14 million in grants over three years, creating opportunities for students to learn through research, creative inquiry, and community engagement.
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Frequently asked questions
Have questions about the Teaching—Professional Licensure MAT program? Here you will find answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.
The MAT Professional program is for students who want to earn an MAT and achieve Professional Licensure. The MAT Non-licensure program is for students who want to earn an MAT and achieve Initial Licensure.
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 Master's in Teaching. 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.
Yes, the MAT Professional program is eligible for UMass Dartmouth's Discount for Educators in Partner Districts program.