Adolescent or Middle Childhood Education, Master of Arts in Teaching
Admission Overview
Admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program is selective. This program enrolls new students in the Fall term only. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet all required content area and academic preparation standards.
Application Requirements
All applicants to the M.A.T. program must submit the following materials:
- Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities
- Resume/CV documenting relevant academic, employment, and volunteer experience
- Personal statement
- Application essay
- One (1) Letter of recommendation
- $50 nonrefundable orientation fee
- Any additional program‑specific documents described below
Applications are reviewed only when all required materials—including all previous college transcripts—have been received.
Program‑Specific Requirements
1. Content Area Preparation
Applicants must meet New York State teacher certification content requirements, including:
- A minimum of 30 credits in the appropriate content area
- Any additional NYS certification‑specific distribution requirements, such as:
- New York State social studies distribution
- At least 6 credits of advanced‑level coursework
- For complete details, refer to the Content Requirements tab.
Conditional Admission:
Applicants who meet all other admission requirements but have no more than 6 credits of content area deficiencies may be admitted conditionally. All deficiencies must be completed by the end of the student’s second term in the program.
2. Academic Excellence
Strong applicants will:
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent)
- Demonstrate the academic skills necessary to succeed in a rigorous, graduate‑level teacher preparation program
- Demonstrate the capacity to develop proficiency in learning technologies and digital pedagogical tools
3. Application Essay
The required M.A.T. essay must demonstrate:
- Enthusiasm for the subject area
- Commitment to supporting diverse learners
- A reflective stance toward professional growth and feedback
- Clear potential for successful transition into the teaching profession
The essay is evaluated for writing quality, depth of reflection, and alignment with the expectations of the teaching profession.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Admission decisions are based on a holistic review of:
- Undergraduate and graduate transcripts documenting GPA and content area preparation
- The applicant’s personal statement and M.A.T. essay
- Employment history, volunteer service, and other professional experiences
- Strength of writing and alignment with program expectations
If an applicant meets all requirements, but the Fall cohort is full, the application will be considered for the next available term, though the program generally offers Fall‑only entry.
Start Terms
This program admits new students in the:
- Fall term only
How to Apply
To apply, visit the SUNY Empire application portal and select Graduate:
https://www.sunyempire.edu/application.html
Complete the online application, upload required documents and arrange for all official transcripts to be sent to SUNY Empire. Applications are reviewed only when all required materials have been received. SUNY Empire alumni and current students do not need to request their Empire transcript.
Deadlines
Applications are reviewed regularly starting in January but only when all materials are complete. Applicants may be invited for an interview. For specific deadlines, please see the Graduate Admissions Deadline page.
International Applicants
This program’s coursework is 100% online and has NYS in-person teacher residency requirements. International applicants are not eligible to apply.
Additional Information
Please see the Graduate Admission section of this catalog for a complete listing of materials required to complete a graduate application.
Program Tracks
Three pathways to certification are available to students in the M.A.T. program:
These tracks offer an assortment of enrollment sequences. The enrollment sequence will depend on the required clinical coursework that aligns with a student's chosen track. Regardless of the track chosen, all sequence types contain the same first-year coursework.
Please Note: The clinical supervision courses (i.e., Mentored Teaching, Intensified Mentored Teaching or Residency Seminar courses) in both tracks must be completed with a B or better. If the course grade results in less than a B, students may repeat the course in accordance with the Graduate Evaluation and Grading Policy found in the Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.
Transitional B Certification Track Sequences
Transitional B Certification Enrollment Sequence
In the first year, students enroll on a part-time basis, completing 15 credits of graduate coursework and 50 hours of field experience (15 of which must be in Special Education). Upon successful completion of the first year of courses, meeting New York State Education Department requirements and obtaining a qualifying teaching position, students may apply for a Transitional B Teaching Certificate. While employed as a teacher of record, MAT degree candidates complete 15 credits in year two of the program and 12 credits in year three. Students are responsible for obtaining their Transitional B teaching position and are not placed into clinical settings by the program. During this period, a mentor teacher in the employing school, program faculty and program field supervisors provide instructional support. Successful completion of years two and three of the program, including the capstone, result in the award of the MAT degree.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDUC 6005 | US Schools in Social Context 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 6010 | Middle Childhood & Adolescent Development 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Teaching & Learning (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching & Learning: English 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: LOTE 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Math 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Science 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Social Studies 1 | ||
| EDUC 6015 | Exceptionalities: Individualizing Learning 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDUC 6045 | Teaching Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Teaching & Curriculum (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching and Curriculum: English | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: LOTE | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Math | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Science | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Social Studies | ||
| EDUC 7045 | Mentored Teaching I | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 7010 | Educational Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 7050 | Mentored Teaching II | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| Content Area Study (choose one): | 3 | |
| Content Area Study: English | ||
| Content Area Study: Spanish | ||
| Content Area Study: Math | ||
| Content Area Study: Science | ||
| Content Area Study: Social Studies | ||
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 6125 | Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 7055 | Mentored Teaching III | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 6130 | Literacy Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDUC 7060 | Mentored Teaching Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
Each course integrates structured field experiences in NY State schools.
Intensified Mentored Teaching Track for Transitional B Certification Enrollment Sequence
The Intensified Mentored Teaching (IMT) track allows students to complete the Transitional B pathway in 2 years (instead of 3). The IMT track features a 6-credit course, Intensified Mentored Teaching 1 (IMT1), during the fall semester of year 2. This 6-credit course includes eight virtual classroom teaching observations by faculty mentors throughout the semester. Intensified Mentored Teaching 2 (IMT2) is a 3-credit course, taken during the spring semester of year 2, and includes seven observations by faculty mentors. This is a rigorous pathway, and students must receive advisor approval in order to enroll in this intensified option.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDUC 6005 | US Schools in Social Context 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 6010 | Middle Childhood & Adolescent Development 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 6015 | Exceptionalities: Individualizing Learning 1 | 3 |
| Teaching & Learning (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching & Learning: English 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: LOTE 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Math 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Science 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Social Studies 1 | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDUC 6045 | Teaching Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Content Area Study (choose one): | 3 | |
| Content Area Study: English | ||
| Content Area Study: Spanish | ||
| Content Area Study: Math | ||
| Content Area Study: Science | ||
| Content Area Study: Social Studies | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Teaching & Curriculum (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching and Curriculum: English | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: LOTE | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Math | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Science | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Social Studies | ||
| EDUC 6125 | Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 7025 | Intensified Mentored Teaching I | 6 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 6130 | Literacy Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDUC 7010 | Educational Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 7030 | Intensified Mentored Teaching II | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDUC 7060 | Mentored Teaching Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
Each course integrates structured field experiences in NY State schools.
Residency Track Sequences
Clinically-Rich Residency Enrollment Sequence
The Master of Arts in Teaching Clinically-Rich Residency Program uses a blended model of delivery, with online and clinically-based instructional modes. After completing the first year of the M.A.T. program, students begin a year-long placement in a 7-12 classroom with a host teacher who is certified in their content area. Residents assume more responsibility incrementally for the classroom, culminating in the complete assumption of the host teacher’s teaching load for eight weeks during the spring term.
During the year-long residency, students complete additional coursework that links theory to classroom practice and receive intensive mentoring by faculty members and field supervisors. The program concludes with the capstone course in the final summer semester. Upon graduating from the M.A.T. program, completers are recommended for New York State Initial (and Professional) teacher certification. After obtaining three years of qualifying teaching experience, program completers are eligible for Professional certification.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDUC 6005 | US Schools in Social Context 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 6010 | Middle Childhood & Adolescent Development 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Teaching & Learning (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching & Learning: English 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: LOTE 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Math 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Science 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Social Studies 1 | ||
| EDUC 6015 | Exceptionalities: Individualizing Learning 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDUC 6045 | Teaching Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Content Area Study (choose one): | 3 | |
| Content Area Study: English | ||
| Content Area Study: Spanish | ||
| Content Area Study: Math | ||
| Content Area Study: Science | ||
| Content Area Study: Social Studies | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Teaching & Curriculum (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching and Curriculum: English | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: LOTE | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Math | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Science | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Social Studies | ||
| EDUC 6125 | Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 7005 | MAT Residency Seminar I | 6 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 7010 | Educational Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 6130 | Literacy Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDUC 7015 | MAT Residency Seminar II | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDUC 7020 | Residency Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
Each course integrates structured field experiences in New York State schools.
Classroom Academy Enrollment Sequence
The Classroom Academy residency model is a pathway option within our existing 3-year M.A.T. program. After the first year of the program, Classroom Academy (CA) students are fully integrated into a host school, teaching alongside a host teacher in their content area. Over 2 years, the CA students gradually take over the responsibilities of the teacher including lesson planning and classroom leadership. CA students will have the support and guidance of their host teacher, field supervisor and course instructors over these 2 years while working in their placement.
During the Classroom Academy residency experience, students complete additional coursework and receive intensive mentoring by faculty members and field supervisors. Upon graduating from the M.A.T. program, completers are recommended for New York State Initial (and Professional) teacher certification. After obtaining three years of qualifying teaching experience, program completers are eligible for Professional certification. Completion of the Classroom Academy pathway provides each CA student with 1 year of experience to count towards their Professional certification.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| EDUC 6005 | US Schools in Social Context 1 | 3 |
| EDUC 6010 | Middle Childhood & Adolescent Development 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Teaching & Learning (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching & Learning: English 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: LOTE 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Math 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Science 1 | ||
| Teaching & Learning: Social Studies 1 | ||
| EDUC 6015 | Exceptionalities: Individualizing Learning 1 | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDUC 6045 | Teaching Diverse Learners | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Teaching & Curriculum (choose one): | 3 | |
| Teaching and Curriculum: English | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: LOTE | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Math | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Science | ||
| Teaching and Curriculum: Social Studies | ||
| EDUC 7063 | Residency Seminar 1A | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 7010 | Educational Evaluation | 3 |
| EDUC 7065 | Residency Seminar 1B | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Summer | ||
| Content Area Study (choose one): | 3 | |
| Content Area Study: English | ||
| Content Area Study: Spanish | ||
| Content Area Study: Math | ||
| Content Area Study: Science | ||
| Content Area Study: Social Studies | ||
| Credits | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 6125 | Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 7067 | Residency Seminar 2A | 2 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 6130 | Literacy Across the Curriculum | 3 |
| EDUC 7069 | Residency Seminar 2B | 3 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Summer | ||
| EDUC 7020 | Residency Capstone | 3 |
| Credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 42 | |
- 1
Each course integrates structured field experiences in New York State schools.
Upon successful completion of the program, the teacher candidate will be able to:
- Establish a classroom climate that emphasizes learning and considers teaching context and student diversity through the use of culturally responsive pedagogical practices;
- Demonstrate understanding of students’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development stages of late childhood and adolescence, an understanding of praxis, research-based strategies to teach all learners, and appropriate uses of technologies for teaching and learning;
- Demonstrate an integration of expert content area expertise, curriculum knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge related to the teaching of that particular subject;
- Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of appropriate assessments to inform their teaching practice; and
- Demonstrate respect for learner differences, a commitment to personal growth, and the capacity to reflect on their teaching effectiveness.
Content Requirements
Biology
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area.
Examples of acceptable Biology courses include: cell biology, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, comparative anatomy, genetics and evolution, biological diversity, human biology, botany, zoology, microbiology, immunology, and marine biology. At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required.
Chemistry
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area.
Examples of acceptable Chemistry courses include: courses in matter and atomic structure, energy, chemical bonds and molecular structure, chemical reactions and quantitative relationships. Examples: general chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry. At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required.
Earth Science
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area.
Examples of acceptable Earth Science course titles include:space systems, atmospheric systems, geological systems, and water systems. Upper level courses such as: structural geology, hydrology, geochemistry, tectonics, biogeography, mineralogy, geomorphology, advanced meteorology, climatology, astronomy, planetary motion, planetary geology and astrophysics. At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required.
English
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area.
Courses must be offered by an English department and considered core requirements toward a degree in English such as: literature, poetry, writing, speech, grammar or linguistics. At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required. It is recommended that applicants have at least six credits in literature.
Spanish (LOTE)
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area.
Examples of acceptable Spanish courses include: those that carry the departmental prefix for that language and may include language and literature courses. Culture, civilization, and film courses are acceptable when offered by the language department as part of a concentration in that language and, because they are taught in that language, require a level of competence in the language. At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required.
Mathematics
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area.
Examples of acceptable Math courses include: mathematical reasoning, quantitative methods, number theory and concepts, algebra, analytic geometry, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, data analysis, probability, statistics, and discrete mathematics. At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required.
Physics
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area.
Examples of acceptable physics course titles include: mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves, sound and light, quantum theory, atomic and/or nuclear physics, modern physics, heat/thermodynamics and relativity. At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required.
Social Studies
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with a major in the content area or have a bachelor's degree and 30 credits in the content area. The 30 semester hours of content must include:
- at least 3 credits in Micro or Macro Economics
- at least 3 credits in Government
- 21 semester hours in:
- United States History
- World History
- Geography (at least 3 credits)
At least 6 credits of upper-level coursework are required.
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