Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education
Description
Simmons's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program provides a strong academic and pedagogical foundation, with extensive field experience for men and women seeking their first teaching license as elementary teachers (grades 1-6).
At Simmons, we provide a highly collaborative environment, individualized programs of study, supportive faculty mentors, and plenty of hands-on experience. Many of our program supervisors and supervising practitioners are Simmons alumni; experienced classroom teachers and all are committed mentors. Although our program includes a one-semester teaching practicum option that meets the state minimum, many students opt to pursue our unique full-year internship, which allows them to gain more classroom experience than most teaching programs provide and is an ideal choices for career changers.
Elementary Teaching (MAT): The Simmons University Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) to lead to initial teaching licensure for Elementary Education (grades 1-6) in Massachusetts.
Learning Outcomes
Simmons’s Master of Arts in Teaching program addresses the Massachusetts Department of Education’s standards for Subject Matter Knowledge and Professional Standards for Teachers.
Degree Requirements
Master of Arts in Teaching and Initial Licensure — 36-credit program
The 36-credit program leads to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and initial licensure in Elementary, grades 1-6, in Massachusetts. The program can be completed in as few as 12 months of full-time study. It requires one full semester of practicum. Individuals may design part-time program sequences in consultation with a member of the department.
| SPND 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 467 | Math for the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| TESL 417 | Sheltered English Instruction | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 430 | Inclusive Lesson Planning | 2 |
| GEDUC 445 | Educational Psychology | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 464 | Reading & Language Arts for the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 461 | Social Studies, Science & the Arts For the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| SPND 441 | Classroom Management for Learners With Needs in Inclusive Settings | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 401 | Seminar in Teaching and Learning at the Elementary Level | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 480 | Practicum: Elementary Education (1-6) | 4.00 |
Master of Arts in Teaching and Initial Licensure — 42-credit program
The 42-credit program leads to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and initial licensure in Massachusetts. The program can be completed in as few as 16 months of full-time study. Individuals may design part-time program sequences in consultation with a member of the department.
| SPND 446 | Learners with Special Needs | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 467 | Math for the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| TESL 417 | Sheltered English Instruction | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 430 | Inclusive Lesson Planning | 2 |
| GEDUC 445 | Educational Psychology | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 464 | Reading & Language Arts for the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 461 | Social Studies, Science & the Arts For the Elementary Classroom | 4.00 |
| SPND 441 | Classroom Management for Learners With Needs in Inclusive Settings | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 400 | Pre-Practicum Seminar | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 488 | Pre-Practicum | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 401 | Seminar in Teaching and Learning at the Elementary Level | 4.00 |
| GEDUC 480 | Practicum: Elementary Education (1-6) | 4.00 |
Practicum
- Students may pursue a 36-credit program with a 14-week full-time practicum, or a 42-credit program with a full-year internship. Some partnering schools and districts provide a stipend for Simmons teaching interns.
- Please note that acceptance into the MAT program does not guarantee automatic acceptance into the pre-practicum/practicum. Student must be recommended by the program before moving into the practical portion of the degree.
Licensure
- Initial license as elementary teachers (grades 1-6).
Dual (and other) degree options
Simmons also offers Teaching/Liberal Arts dual-degree programs leading to a Master of Arts in Teaching, plus a Master of Arts in Children's Literature, Gender/Cultural Studies, or History.