Teacher Education, MAT

Department of Educational Innovation & Technology

Admissions Contact
Graduate Recruitment & Admissions
(860) 832-2350
graduateadmissions@ccsu.edu

Academic Contact

Donna DeCarlo
Assistant Dean
School of Education
Henry Barnard Hall
327
860.832.2127
decarlod@ccsu.edu

Teacher Education, MAT

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Program Overview – Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) 39 credits

We're excited that you're considering a career in education! As a future educator, you'll have the opportunity to inspire, empower, and make a lasting difference in the lives of students and the communities you serve.

The Master of Arts in teaching is a graduate level program designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking initial teacher certification in secondary education or All-Level Education. The program blends coursework with hands-on classroom experience. The program begins each January and leads to both a master’s degree with initial teaching certification in grades 4-12 for secondary education or initial certification in PK-12 for Technology and Engineering Education. 

Turn your content expertise into a rewarding teaching career. If you hold a bachelor's degree in an approved content area, CCSU's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers an accelerated pathway to earning both a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and initial Connecticut teacher certification. The program can be completed in as few as three academic semesters, including summer and one winter session. Designed with working professionals in mind, classes are offered in the late afternoon and evening, and most courses are delivered in a hybrid format, providing flexibility while preparing you for a rewarding career in education.

The MAT program follows a cohort model designed to foster collaboration and support timely program completion.

Program Concentrations: 

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #010 English (4-12)

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach English in grades 4–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education. Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a major in English or to have completed at least 39 credit hours in English, the content area in which certification is sought.

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #026 History/Social Studies (4-12)

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach History in grades 4–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education.

    Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree in history and 18 credits of social science coursework OR a degree in Political Science; Economics; Geography; Anthropology; or Sociology including 18 credits of history

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #030 Biology (4-12)

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach Biology in grades 4–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education.

    Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a major in biology or to have completed at least 30 credit hours in Biology and 9 credits completed related to the content area for which certification is sought.

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #031 Chemistry (4-12)

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach Chemistry in grades 4–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education.

    Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a major in chemistry or to have completed at least 30 credit hours in Chemistry and 9 credits completed related to the content area for which certification is sought.

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #033 Earth Science (4-12)

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach Earth Science in grades 4–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education.

    Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a major in Earth Science or to have completed at least 30 credit hours in Earth Science and 9 credits completed related to the content area for which certification is sought.

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #032 Physics (4-12)

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach Physics in grades 4–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education.

    Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a major in physics or to have completed at least 30 credit hours in physics and 9 credits completed related to the content area for which certification is sought.

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #023 Spanish (4-12) 

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach Spanish in grades 4–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education. Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a subject area major in the world language or to have completed a minimum of 24 semesters of credit in the language, for which certification is sought.

  • Master of Arts in Teaching, Endorsement #047 Technology & Engineering (4-12)

    Already have a bachelor's degree and ready to become a teacher? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) offers a streamlined pathway to both Connecticut initial teacher certification and a state-approved master's degree.

    Designed for future educators seeking their first teaching certification, this 39-credit program prepares candidates to teach Technology and Engineering in grades PK–12 while building the knowledge and classroom experience needed for a successful career in education.

    Please note: Admission to this program requires applicants to hold a major in Construction; Communications; Manufacturing; Transportation; Engineering OR 30 credits in technology coursework, along with 9 credits in related areas.

Program Features: 

  • The Master of Arts in teaching program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) the national standard for excellence in educator preparation. CAEP accreditation reflects our commitment to preparing highly qualified, effective educators through rigorous academic programs, meaningful clinical experiences, and continuous program improvement
  • Licensure Preparation: courses aligned with CT State Department of Education licensure requirements. (CSDE)
  • Field Experience: integrated fieldwork through the program culmination in 15-week student teaching internship under the guidance of a team-trained teacher in a public-school setting.
  • Capstone Research Experience: Complete a culminating research and writing capstone course that integrates theory, practice, and professional inquiry while demonstrating your readiness to enter the teaching profession.
  • Cohort Model: students’ progress throughout the program with a cohort, fostering collaboration and peer support

Teaching is a constantly evolving field. Pursuing my MAT degree at Central gave me the opportunity to learn and experience not only the most current best practices in teaching, but the ability to become a lifelong educator. The demands and rigor of the MAT program perfectly mirrored the challenges of my first-year in the classroom, and I could not have chosen a better professional program to prepare for the job of my dreams.

Michael Sobolewski

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcome 1:
Content Knowledge – candidates demonstrate knowledge of social studies disciplines, knowledgeable of disciplinary concepts, facts, tools, structures of inquiry, forms of representation

Learning Outcome 2:
Application of Content Through Planning – candidates plan learning sequences that leverage social studies knowledge and literacies, technology, and theory and research to support the civic competence of learners

Learning Outcome 3:
Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment – candidates design and implement instruction and authentic assessments, informed by data literacy and learner self-assessment, that promote civic competence

Learning Outcome 4:
Social Studies Learners and Learning – candidates use knowledge of learners to plan and implement relevant and responsive pedagogy, create collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environments, and prepare learners to be informed advocates for an inclusive and equitable society

Learning Outcome 5:
Professional Responsibility and Informed Action – candidates reflect and expand upon their social studies knowledge, inquiry skills, and civic dispositions to advance social justice and promote human rights through informed action in schools and/or communities