MAT or Post BA in Content Area

Coordinator: Dr. David Schwarzer
Office: University Hall, Room 2128
Phone: (973) 655-5187
Email: schwarzerd@mail.montclair.edu

Advisor: Susan Hagen
Office: University Hall, Room 2125
Phone: (973) 655-6908
Email: hagens@mail.montclair.edu

Students with a baccalaureate degree and interest in teaching may pursue the Post-BA program for certification only OR the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) which simultaneously leads to certification AND Master's Degree. The content area program is open to students who wish to teach one of the following content areas in K-12 schools:

• Art
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Earth Science
• English
• French
• Health Education
• Health & Physical Education
• Italian*
• Latin*
• Mathematics
• Music
• Physical Education
• Physical Science
• Social Studies
• Spanish
• Teacher of English as a Second Language

* Post BA Certification only

Montclair State University’s Teacher Education Program is one of the most highly-regarded teacher preparation programs in the country. It has been consistently recognized both nationally and regionally for its unique features, including its structure, partnerships, and curricular emphases. The program is considered a model for other colleges and universities and has continuously been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1954.

The Teacher Education Program’s professional course sequence and field experiences emphasize teaching for critical thinking and culturally responsive teaching. The professional component for both graduate students addresses four broad areas: 1) student development and learning, 2) the classroom and the school, 3) the curriculum, and 4) effective teaching skills.

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Graduate Initial Teaching Certification Brochure At Montclair State University, a student with a baccalaureate degree may pursue an initial New Jersey teaching certification, and a fully-certified teacher may obtain additional teaching field endorsements or advanced certification. View Program Brochure - Graduate Initial Teaching Certification‌

For aspiring Science and Mathematics Teachers: To learn more about our Dual Certification MAT Program with a focus on Inclusive iSTEM Education (concentrations for Science and Mathematics teachers), please visit this web site.

Course Requirements:

Effective Sept. 1, 2009

The course requirements listed below apply to those students admitted on or after Fall 2009. Anyone admitted prior to this term should refer to their Analysis of Academic Progress on WESS or see your academic advisor for your official program of study.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT):


Post-BA Program (Certification Only):


Additional Requirements for State Certification
The following additional requirements must be met prior to student teaching. Upon admission to the MAT and/or Post-BA Program, the student's submitted transcripts are evaluated to determine if any of these requirements have been fulfilled by previous coursework. In such cases, the requirements(s) appear on the degree audit as being waived. If they do not appear, they must be taken.

• CMST 101 - Fundamentals of Speech OR
  Speech Challenge Exam OR
  Documented & approved experience

• Physiology & Hygiene - free test at county office of education OR
  BIOL/HLTH course.

• EDFD 582 - Learning: Process & Measurement OR
  PSYC 560 - Advanced Educational Psychology OR
  equivalent undergraduate course work.

Admission Information:

PLEASE NOTE that the information below represents what we are seeking in a student, and does not represent the list of items required for application.  Applicants must submit all application requirements, documents and credentials as outlined by The Graduate School for this program. It is important that all applicants visit the Graduate School site in advance of the application deadline to ensure that all required materials are submitted on time.

In selecting students for the MAT/Post BA program, Montclair State University uses criteria which are related to the kinds of knowledge, skills and dispositions we expect graduates of our program to possess. In making decisions on acceptance to the program, faculty consider such criteria as GPA, knowledge of content area of study, commitment to teaching and its varied responsibilities, and communication abilities, both written and oral. These criteria enable faculty to assess the likelihood that candidates will achieve the goals inherent in the "Portrait of a Teacher". ("The Portrait of a Teacher" is a model toward which students strive.)

Candidates for admission to the MAT/Post BA program must file an Application for Graduate/Post Baccalaureate Admission with the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services, including all supporting materials. A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.70 overall, and in the content area is required, along with qualifying scores on the general Graduate Record Examination (for MAT applicants only.) A higher GPA in the teaching field may be required by some departments. In addition, two recommendations from school or college faculty, or administrators, must be submitted. It is also expected that students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language.

As part of the application process, a candidate's academic background in the content area he or she wishes to teach will be assessed by faculty from the academic department. Further undergraduate course work in that content area may be required, which would be in addition to the MAT/Post BA degree requirements listed below. If required, these courses may be taken concurrently with other program requirements, but must be completed prior to student teaching. As a general rule, MAT/Post BA candidates who are assessed to have strong academic backgrounds in the subjects they wish to teach may have little or no additional undergraduate course work to compete. (An example would be a candidate who possesses a degree in mathematics who wishes to teach mathematics.) MAT/Post BA candidates who wish to pursue TESL (Teacher of English as a Second Language) must also satisfy the requirements for a linguistics major, which may add an additional 36 semester hours to their programs.

After submitting the application, candidates will be notified about the next step in the application process, which may include interviews (with an academic or pedagogical departmental faculty and/or admission committee), writing samples, and portfolio review or audition (the latter applies to art and music candidates).

Students who are accepted to the MAT/Post BA program will be assigned to academic & pedagogical faculty advisors whom students should consult with each semester. Since students' backgrounds differ, they should not take courses without advisement. The course of study listed below is generic and may differ in detail for individual students.

General questions about the MAT program should be directed to Ms. Charity Dacey, Director, Teacher Education Admissions, (973) 655-7976 or Ms. Susan Hagen, Department Administrator in Curriculum and Teaching, (973) 655-6908.

Criteria for Retention in Program:

Students who are accepted to the Program are evaluated periodically. They should review the Teacher Education Program Handbook to determine criteria used to determine eligibility for student teaching and the University's recommendation for certification. By 12 graduate credits in the program, all students must submit Praxis II entrance ticket or passing score(s) depending on the content area requirements. Click praxis-II-requirement‌ to determine which Praxis II exam(s) you must take and the deadline for submitting either entrance ticket or passing score.

Certification:

Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be recommended to the New Jersey Department of Education for a teaching certificate. Students interested in teaching elsewhere should seek information from the appropriate state authorities; requirements are generally similar.

As a condition of New Jersey's Beginning Teacher Induction Program, candidates who have completed undergraduate or post-baccalaureate teacher certification program must successfully complete one provisional year of teaching under a provisional certificate to be eligible for a permanent, standard New Jersey standard certificate. Candidates who already possess a New Jersey standard certificate and who are seeking an additional teaching endorsement are exempt. Persons recommended by the University for certification who have passed the appropriate Praxis examination, will receive a Certificate of Eligibility With Advanced Standing which authorizes the holder to seek and accept offers of employment in New Jersey schools and in other states. The certificate is valid for the lifetime of its holder.

Note: Certification requirements are subject to change (see Teacher Education).