Degrees
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Degree Program
The Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program is designed for individuals who majored in mathematics or have significant coursework in mathematics and wish to become high school or middle school mathematics teachers. The MAT program leads to initial licensure in Massachusetts as a teacher of middle school or high school mathematics or both. Program graduates complete courses in professional education, additional graduate courses in their content fields, and a student-teaching experience.
The Master of Arts in Teaching Program is a 12-month program for full-time students seeking initial licensure for teaching at middle, junior, or senior high school levels in accordance with requirements in the state of Massachusetts. Licensure reciprocity exists with many states, but students should investigate specifics in the state of anticipated residence.
The program begins in July each year, though in some cases students may begin in September. It is also possible to complete the degree over a longer time period as a part-time student.
The professional education component of the degree consists of the study of curriculum and methods of instruction, adolescent development and learning, topics in special education, urban education, and foundations of education. Students complete a two-semester practicum experience culminating in student teaching. This combination ensures strength in the field of study combined with a comprehensive set of teaching skills appropriate to adolescents.
The program includes:
- Integration of the best of method and content through close and ongoing collaboration of educators, mathematicians, and master teachers. Explicit connections between deep mathematical ideas and student work in secondary school classrooms are highlighted in both graduate courses and in field placements.
- Teacher preparation for work in urban school settings that focuses on equity and emphasizes effective strategies to help diverse populations achieve in mathematics.
- Opportunities to explore mathematics through coursework or an immersion experience.
General Information
Time to complete MAT: 12 months, full time
Credits: 42
Practicum: One field-based placement each semester
Tutoring: Candidates work with an urban high school student in the fall
Coursework
General Education Courses (12 credits)
All students take these courses with MAT students of other disciplines. They may be offered in Summer, Fall, or Spring semesters.
| SED ED 502/503 | Professional Teaching Seminar: Analyzing Foundations of Teaching | 2 credits |
| SED DS 502 | Adolescent Development and Learning | 2 credits |
| SED SE 510 | Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction | 2 credits |
| SED CT 534 | Classroom Management | 2 credits |
| SED TL 525 | Teaching English Learners in the Middle/High School | 4 credits |
Mathematics Education and Mathematics Courses (16 credits chosen from below)
The Mathematics Education Program at Boston University offers many courses that combine content (what to teach) with pedagogy (how to teach). The courses are selected based on the individual needs of the students. All Noyce Scholars are required to take SED ME 530: Equitable Pedagogies in STEM Education.
| SED ME 525 | Assessment in Mathematics | 2 credits |
| SED ME 530 | Equitable Pedagogies in STEM Education | 2 credits |
| SED ME 559 | Mathematics for Teaching: Geometry | 4 credits |
| SED ME 560 | Mathematics for Teaching: Algebra | 4 credits |
| SED ME 563 | Problem Solving in Mathematics | 4 credits |
| SED ME 565 | Mathematics for Teaching: Calculus | 4 credits |
| CAS MA 547 | Topics in Number Theory (PROMYS Program) | 4 credits |
| CAS MA 548 | Problem Solving in Number Theory (PROMYS Program) | 4 credits |
| CAS MA | Mathematics elective | 4 credits |
Methods and Practicum (14 credits)
Another strength of Boston University’s licensure program is the multiple opportunities to learn directly in the field. BU’s MAT students spend one day observing and participating in classrooms in the Boston Area starting in the Fall semester with the pre-practicum (which is connected with a Method of Teaching course). Then the MAT students complete their student teaching in the Spring semester.
| SED ME 546/547 | Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Middle/High School with pre-practium | 4 credits |
| SED ME 506 | Student-Teaching PrePracticum | 2 credits |
| SED ME 507/508 | Student-Teaching Practicum | 8 credits |
To learn more about this and other masters programs in Mathematics Education, visit Boston University’s Graduate Education website.
