Master of Arts in Teaching Program MAT

The Master of Arts in Teaching program builds on the successful undergraduate program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. It is designed exclusively for Hobart and William Smith undergraduate students enrolled in the Teacher Education Program.

The MAT program is open on a competitive basis to students who are enrolled in an undergraduate Teacher Education Program at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The program is designed to be completed in one academic year, during which students continue their liberal arts studies at the same time they prepare for teaching certification.

Students in the MAT program pursue graduate-level study in a discipline or program of their choice. They apply that study to teaching by completing a graduate-level education course, by student teaching, and by producing a master’s thesis.

At the conclusion of the program students are eligible for a temporary New York State teaching certificate, which may be raised to the professional level after two years of full-time teaching.

Unique Aspects of the Program

The unique structure of an undergraduate liberal arts program with a teacher education option is the basis on which the Master’s program rests. The MAT degree is designed to be completed in a single post-baccalaureate year, continuing the undergraduate experiential and academic focus. It will allow students to take advantage of the liberal arts strength of the community, and will enable them to build on that strength with an academic concentration. The graduate program described above is a demanding one requiring extensive fieldwork, liberal arts coursework thematically integrated with study in the field of education, and a master’s thesis or significant graduate project. The MAT program is well coordinated with the mission of the Colleges.

Program Governance

The program is governed by a Graduate Committee appointed from existing faculty governance committees, faculty at large, Chair of Department of Education, Director of the MAT Program, and two graduate students elected by their peers. This committee will also govern assessment and evaluation of the program and the graduates.

Applying for MAT

Students apply for admission to the MAT program in the fall of their junior year. Acceptance into the graduate program is selective and is based on the following:

• Completion of the application for admission to the MAT program.
• An analytical essay in which the applicant reflects on teaching, drawing on experience acquired in the teacher education program.
• Demonstrated success in teacher seminars and practica completed to date.
• A superior academic record, especially in the major subject, and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
• A written recommendation from the student’s major adviser.
• A written recommendation from a professor in the Education Department. To remain in good standing, students must meet the following requirements by the end of the senior year.
• A grade of B- or better in EDUC 420 Research in Education.
• Completion of an appropriate B.A. or B.S. degree from Hobart College or William Smith College.
• Completion of all undergraduate teacher education seminars and practica.
• A cumulative overall GPA of 3.0.