Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) History

Whether you are seeking initial or professional licensure, our Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs will help you to develop the skills and competencies needed for the next step on your career path.

Our MAT program combines the pedagogy of teaching with content specialization in History.

Our robust 42-credit curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills and confidence needed to begin teaching on day one. The curriculum for our full suite of MAT programs includes 4 core courses in education, 5 core courses within history, 2 teaching methods courses within history, 1 education elective, and a semester-long supervised practicum and seminar in the field teaching.

All MAT students take the following four core courses in education: Instruction & Assessment in the Secondary Classroom; Culturally Responsive Teaching; Sheltering Content for English Language Learners; and Effective UDL Classroom Practices. Students also choose an additional education elective of their choice. Sample education electives include Professional Lives of Teachers: Connecting Policy, Research, and Practice through Collaborative Inquiry; Classroom Management and Community Building; Technology Methods; and Adolescent Literacy in the Disciplines.

We offer the opportunity to progress from your preliminary license through your professional license within one program. As soon as you pass your MTELs (state teacher tests), you can apply for your preliminary license and begin your career as a classroom teacher. Once you have completed your core classes and student teaching, you will be endorsed for your initial license. Upon completing your MAT and finishing at least three years of teaching under your initial license you will be eligible for your professional license. This means that graduates of our program are able to complete all licensure requirements without needing to pursue additional coursework.

Visit the licensure page for more information on licensure options.

The MAT in History is designed for liberal arts graduates who want to begin preparation for teaching history at the middle school or secondary level or are practicing teachers who would like to expand their understanding of the educational process while increasing their formal education in history. The majority of our students have a preliminary teaching license and are seeking initial licensure to teach history in grades 5 – 12. Sample content courses include: Historiography, Oral History, Museum Studies, American History, The Civil War, Nazi Germany, The Holocaust, Modern Latin America, History of US-East Asian Relations, The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire, and Russia Since 1917.

All education classes meet on Tuesday evenings. Content specialization courses meet on alternative week day evenings, weekends, or online, offering maximum flexibility for working professionals.

Exciting 300-hour practicums are an integral part of all MAT programs. We have strong partnerships with more than 50 area schools throughout Greater Boston and the North Shore offering excellent field work opportunities for those seeking placement. Educators already working in the classroom may be able to complete their practicum at their place of employment.

There is always a need for good teachers. Current trends and projections show a relatively stable demand for teachers in the Greater Boston area with potential teacher shortages in some school districts. There is a particular need for educators with backgrounds in special education and English language learning and for minority teachers.* Massachusetts teacher standards have a strong national reputation and many who hold teaching licenses in Massachusetts have the knowledge and skills needed to successfully obtain licensure in other states.

*Source: American Institutes for Research Report “Massachusetts Study of Teacher Supply and Demand: Trends and Projections,” December 2015.