Site Navigation (skip navigation)

Education Programs Navigation

» Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program provides a strong academic and pedagogical foundation, in addition to extensive field experience. As a result, Simmons MAT students are exceptionally well prepared for licensure as elementary, middle, and high school teachers. Simmons-prepared teachers consistently score in the top echelon on state licensure exams, but their real test is in the classroom. Simmons teachers stand out. They bring knowledge, confidence, and creativity to teaching and earn high marks from both pupils and employers.

What are the secret ingredients of our successful MAT program? A tremendous amount of individual support, flexibility, and guidance — plus practice, practice, practice. Faculty advisors work closely with students to plan highly individualized programs of study. In addition, Simmons offers a 14-week full-time teaching practicum or a year-long internship, which allows students to gain more clinical classroom experience than most teaching programs provide. MAT supervisors meet with students a minimum of six times each semester and maintain weekly contact. Many of our program supervisors and supervising practitioners are Simmons alumni; all are committed mentors.

In the Simmons tradition, the MAT curriculum combines theory with practice. Methods courses include related field experiences that allow students to observe and apply teaching strategies and techniques. Elementary professional methods courses address instructional strategies and materials for teaching reading and language arts, math, social studies, and science. Middle and high school professional courses address curriculum and instructional strategies for English, modern world languages, history, political science/philosophy (formerly social studies), the sciences, and mathematics. Additional courses explore contemporary issues in education, the cultural and historical foundation of the American school, and developmental psychology. Students gain a repertoire of strategies while developing a constructive, personal approach to teaching.

Degree Options

The MAT program leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching, plus licensure as an elementary (grades 1-6), middle school (grades 5-8), or high school (grades 8-12) teacher. Students may choose a 36-credit program that includes a 14-week full-time practicum during spring semester, or a 40-credit program with a year-long internship. Some partnering schools and school districts provide a stipend for Simmons teaching interns. Unpaid internships also can be arranged on an individual basis. Although students may begin the MAT program during any semester, a winter or summer session start date is preferable for students who choose to do the year-long internship.

Dual-Degree Option

Simmons also offers an option for dual master's degrees in Education and Children's Literature, Gender/Cultural Studies, English, or Spanish. Students can also pursue a dual-degree in Education and Library Information Science in conjunction with our Graduate School for Library and Information Science. Please see our dual-degree page to learn more.

Courses and Curriculum

Sample Courses
  • Educational Psychology
  • Strategies for the Inclusive Classroom
  • Integrating Multiple Intelligences
  • Technology and the Administrator
  • Understanding Curriculum
  • Achieving Mathematical Power
  • Literacy, Schools, and Communities
  • Cultures and Expectations in the Classroom

See our "Courses" section to view all courses in the MAT program.

See specific curriculum and licensure information for elementary or middle school and high school teachers in the State of Massachusetts.

Degree Options

Teach through Experience

“I learned to teach through experience — always knowing that I had the support of my cooperating teacher and clinical supervisor from Simmons. At no other time in my teaching career will I have two people whose job it is to make sure that I grow as a teacher — every day.”
—Claire “Abie” Baafi ’02, MAT

Request Your Admission Kit

 

Site Tools

Page Footer

Top | Up to Page Content