Boston University MAT Program: Admission Requirements and Program Overview

Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program designed to prepare educators for leadership roles and to deepen their expertise in specific subject areas. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the MAT program, focusing on admission requirements, program structure, and the benefits of pursuing a master's degree at Boston University.

Overview of the MAT Program

Master’s degree programs at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development are grounded in evidence-based theory and on-the-ground practice. Each program delivers a comprehensive curriculum that allows for the study of research and theory while deepening content knowledge. With a master’s degree (EdM/MA/MAT/MS) from BU Wheelock, students will learn how to think critically, develop their leadership skills, and learn how to create change in their career. Our unique degree offerings provide graduate education options to a wide array of prospective students, from those whose expertise resides in a particular subject to those who have a passion for policy, equity, and social justice in education.

MAT in Mathematics Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree in Mathematics Education at Boston University is a program designed to equip individuals with the pedagogical skills and advanced mathematical knowledge necessary for effective teaching. The master’s in teaching (MAT) degree in mathematics education will develop your pedagogical skills and advanced mathematical knowledge for teaching. You’ll come away with all the tools and techniques for creating a classroom that supports all students. Our master’s (MAT) degree in mathematics education provides extended and in-depth focus on the teaching and learning of mathematics content. Students in this degree program prepare for Massachusetts initial teacher licensure as they develop their mathematical knowledge for teaching. Graduates of Boston University’s master’s degree in mathematics education become successful educators for middle and high school students.

Program Structure

The Master of Arts in Teaching Program is a 10-month program for full-time students seeking initial licensure for teaching at the middle or high school level in accordance with requirements in the state of Massachusetts. The program begins in July each year, though in some cases students may begin in September. The professional education component consists of the study of curriculum and methods of instruction, adolescent development, classroom management, topics in special education, culturally responsive teaching, working with English language learners, and foundations of education. Students complete a two-term practicum experience culminating in student-teaching. In conjunction with the Methods of Teaching Mathematics courses, students are involved in a pre-practicum experience in the fall term. Then students participate in a 300-hour student-teaching experience in the spring term, supervised by a trained classroom teacher and Boston University faculty.

Coursework and Practicum

Students complete 16 units (approximately four courses) in mathematics education and/or mathematics in consultation with their advisors. Noyce scholars must complete 18 units. Students in the MAT Mathematics Education program complete a two-semester practicum experience culminating in student teaching. “My practicum and practicum debrief sessions really gave me time to reflect, listen to, and discuss my ideas with my cohort. Student teaching experiences are supervised by licensed classroom teachers and Boston University faculty. Students select practicum experiences from one of the two options listed below.

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Robert Noyce Scholarship

Don’t let funding keep you from starting your master’s degree in mathematics education. Students in the master of arts in teaching mathematics program are eligible for the full-tuition Robert Noyce Scholarship. Applicants must have a mathematics background and earn a math teacher certification license for middle or high school.

Faculty

Learn from faculty like Dr. Gregory Benoit, whose strong commitment to creativity, equity, and justice has led him to critically examine mathematics popular culture artifacts and design digital simulations that center the culturally responsive teaching of mathematics.

MAT in World Languages

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is designed for graduates in world languages or graduates from equivalent programs or similar backgrounds. The program is for students who wish to obtain initial licensure for Arabic, French, Mandarin Chinese, or Spanish for grades 5-12 (middle, junior, or senior high schools) in Massachusetts. (Licensure reciprocity exists with many states, but students should investigate specifics in the state of anticipated residence.) The MAT is designed as a 12-month, full-time program that may begin in June or September each year. Students in the program complete courses in education, language acquisition, and world language pedagogy. Students participate in a minimum 300-hour student-teaching experience supervised by a trained classroom teacher and Boston University Program Supervisor.

MAT in English Education for Equity & Justice

If you’re interested in becoming a middle or high school English or language arts teacher with a focus on equity and social justice, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in English Education for Equity & Justice at Boston University will prepare you to become an effective, thoughtful teacher with a deep understanding of the cultural, socioeconomic, social, and historical factors that influence students’ experiences. In the MAT program, you’ll learn about lesson design, critical literacy, instructional delivery, and evidence-based and humanizing methods for teaching literature, reading, writing, and language.

MAT in Science Education

The MAT Program aims to prepare culturally responsive leaders in science education who advance the foundations of scientific literacy and scientific ways of thinking through leadership in equity, pedagogy, and content knowledge. Emphasis is put on classroom practice by engaging candidates in field experiences every term. Full-time students typically begin during Summer Term 2 and graduate the following spring. Full-time students may also begin in September and complete the program the following summer. Licensed classroom teachers and Boston University faculty supervise student-teaching experiences.

TESOL Add-On License Pathway

The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Program offers a five-course, 18-unit add-on license pathway for licensure-seeking graduate students pursuing initial certification in another content area. In this course of study, students are introduced to the key factors affecting second-language acquisition, learn techniques for fostering language development through rich academic content, and practice strategies relevant to teaching English as a second language. In addition, they learn how to support students’ literacy skills in their home languages, and how to integrate best practices of culturally sustaining teaching into their classrooms. The TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Program offers a six-course, 26-unit add-on license pathway that allows master of arts in teaching mathematics students to meet requirements for an initial license in English as a Second Language (ESL) (5-12) in Massachusetts.

General Admission Requirements for Master's Programs

Applicants for Boston University’s master’s programs must have a bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent from an accredited institution. If you are accepted into a BU Wheelock master’s program, you must complete at least eight graduate-level courses or the equivalent number of credits (32) that are approved by the advisor for program completion. MAT degree programs require students to possess an undergraduate degree or equivalent amount of coursework in the intended area of study. Although the standard length of a BU Wheelock MA program is one year, you can also enroll part time and complete the degree in two years.

Additional Information

Licensing Disclosure

Licensing DisclosureBU Wheelock Educator Preparation Programs Licensing Disclosure provides information about BU Wheelock state approved programs and how the educational requirements compare with those in other states.

Background Checks

Background ChecksStudents who are admitted into BU Wheelock routinely participate in field experiences as a part of their respective program curriculum and requirements. Most field sites require criminal background checks to determine students’ eligibility for participation.

Transcripts

UMass Boston accepts unofficial transcripts for the purpose of application review. Please submit your current transcripts from all institutions attended, undergraduate and graduate, where more than six (6) credits were earned. We prefer that the unofficial transcript uploads are a PDF of the unofficial document provided by your institution. Please ensure you upload/send one compiled transcript PDF for each institution you attended, even if it includes multiple pages, translations, a legend, degree certificate, or diploma. Please keep your transcript pages in order. We will not accept screenshots of grades. All documents should be clear, legible, and in PDF format. The document should include the institution name, the applicant/student name, dates of enrollment, program and degree information. Word documents and images (i.e. JPEGs, HEICs, PNGs) should not be uploaded as these are not acceptable. Secure (encrypted, password protected) pdfs and zip files are not acceptable. Do not send links to the unofficial transcript through file sharing services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, etc. If admitted to UMass Boston, official transcripts must be submitted, either electronically or in paper format, directly by each institution to the Office of Graduate Admissions before your program starts. To send official documents, contact your institution's registrar office to inquire about sending the official transcript. UMass Boston's Office of Graduate Admissions is set up to receive electronic transcripts via Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). Your institution's registrar may use a different transcript sharing process, please check with them to inquire about the system they use. If they use Parchment or NSC, please ensure that transcripts are directed to "UMass Graduate Admissions Only" via Parchment and "Graduate" via NSC.

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