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Colgate offers an exciting individualized, master of arts degree (MAT) for Colgate graduates and qualified graduates from other schools who want to be secondary school teachers. In keeping with the character of our Educational Studies Department, these programs emphasize that what and how we teach in public schools is connected with the struggle for global peace and social and environmental sustainability and justice.
The MAT program provides advanced course work in a selected discipline and in educational studies, leading to secondary school teaching certification.
| To receive an application contact:
Ginger Babich
Department of Educational Studies
Colgate University
13 Oak Drive
Hamilton, New York 13346-1398
(315)228-7256 |
Subject areas in which certification is offered include English, mathematics, history, and natural science (biology, chemistry, earth science and physics).
The program is based on the premise that a prospective teacher needs a socially critical liberal education, thorough knowledge of his or her chose discipline, knowledge of educational theory and practice, and a complex understanding of social institutions. She or he also needs habits of mind that include life-loving spirit, a willingness to move beyond personal comfort, and a desire to be challenged in all aspects of learning.
MAT students at Colgate work closely with departments to integrate increased knowledge in their disciplines with field experience in education. They accumulate 100 hours of classroom observations before student teaching. For one full term of their program they student teach in a local or regional classroom, supervised by an Educational Studies faculty member, typically their advisor.
Curriculum
To receive the MAT degree, students complete three or more courses in their chosen discipline, between four and eight courses in educational studies, depending on previous experience and course work, a special project or thesis and workshops on child abuse and violence prevention. Finger printing is also required by the state.
Students who are already certified at the secondary level may substitute two other education courses. MAT students should enroll in Educational Studies courses at the 500 level. Courses taken by MAT students for degree credit in their disciplines of specialization will be assigned 500-level numbers consecutively beginning with 591.
For each undergraduate course taken toward the MAT degree, a student must submit a Graduate Credit Agreement form prior to registration. This form is available from the registrar's office.
To be admitted to the program, a student must have a strong academic background in at least one area of certification, usually the equivalent of an undergraduate major concentration. A background in the social, cultural, and developmental foundations of education is also desirable, but some students will acquire this background in the program.
In addition, two semesters of a foreign language or the equivalent is required. These courses may be transferred from another institution and must be approved by the Educational Studies Department. Alternatively, the prerequisite courses may be part of a longer than average M.A. T. degree program.
Financial assistance
Colgate University contributes 80% of the tuition for MAT students as part of its commitment to support quality public education. All students must submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in order to qualify for financial assistance, including Colgate's tuition contribution.
Admission criteria and procedures
Liberal arts graduates of recognized colleges and universities are eligible to apply for admission to the MAT program. For information and application forms, prospective candidates for the MAT program should write or call the Educational Studies Department, Alumni Hall, (315) 228-7256. Applicants should submit materials to the chair of the Educational Studies Department.
Applications should be completed before February 15 but will be considered after this date if openings are available. Applicants are required to take the aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination. Unless geographic distance prohibits, an interview is usually required.
All persons admitted to graduate studies at Colgate must present health and immunization records to the director of the student health service before beginning course work.
The admissions staff and faculty at Colgate are committed to attracting people who represent the widest possible diversity of economic, racial, religious, geographic, and experiential backgrounds.