MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING FOR NYSED LICENSED TEACHERS: EARLY CHILDHOOD URBAN/SPECIAL EDUCATION 

Passionate educators seeking to expand their impact will find an unparalleled opportunity in the urban education/special education program. This 33-credit Master of Arts in Teaching program offers dual certification tailored for teaching young learners in high-needs urban schools within the New York City Department of Education, as well as charter schools, private schools, and early childhood centers across the state. 

Through rigorous academic study paired with immersive clinical fieldwork, the program provides the real-world skills and knowledge base to make a difference for today’s students. Teachers complete certifications in both early childhood education (birth-grade 2) and special education (birth-grade 2) over the course of 15 transformative months. With both full-time and part-time study options, we offer a combination of virtual and online classes designed specifically to accommodate the schedules of professional teachers. 

In the process, you’ll become ready to earn your Professional Teacher Certification from the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and become even better equipped to create safe, equitable learning environments for students from diverse backgrounds. 

What Are the Advantages of a Master’s Degree in Teaching? 

Upon earning their New York State Initial Teaching Certificate, teachers in New York State must complete three years of teaching experience in order to earn their Professional Certificate. They also have to earn a master’s degree in teaching within five (5) years of their initial licensure. 

It’s not just that a Master’s Degree in Teaching is essential to pursuing a teaching career in New York State. It’s also a path to broadening your skill set. As you work side-by-side with faculty mentors and fellow educators, you’ll discover new insights that will allow you to make a more meaningful impact on the lives of your students. 

The master’s degree for teachers is a 33-credit program consisting of:

• Eight (8) core courses (24 credits) 
• Three (3) general education courses in math and language/literacy specific to early childhood or childhood education (9 credits)

The MAT graduate program combines virtual and online courses over four (4) semesters of full-time study (though students may also choose to complete their studies part-time). 

Students in the master’s program will take advanced courses in subjects that include: 

• Child and adolescent development
• Foundations of literacy
• Teaching English language learners
• Literacy development in diverse early childhood classrooms
• Multicultural issues in the classroom
• The development of mathematical thinking and science exploration in diverse classrooms
• Contemporary issues in urban and special education

We designed the curriculum to fully align national standards of excellence in teaching, including: 

• NYSED’s Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education Framework
• New York State’s Common Core Learning Standards
• New York State’s Next Generation Learning Standards 

MAT students also take workshops geared toward building their Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA) portfolio, earning NYSED Professional Certification, and career planning. 

How Long Does It Take to Get a Master’s Degree in Teaching?

As a full-time student with an initial teaching certification, you can complete your dual-certification MAT in just four (4) semesters: that’s less than a year and a half on Monroe’s three-semester academic calendar. Classes are in both hybrid and online formats, designed to accommodate the busy schedules of working professional teachers

Learn more about the requirements for a Master’s Degree in Teaching.
 

Candidates applying for the MAT for Teachers must:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution of higher education
• Have earned their Initial Teacher Certification from the NYSED

In accordance with NYSED requirements, applicants must also have completed:

•  At least 60 credits in liberal arts courses
• At least 6 credits each in college-level English, mathematics, science, and social science with a grade of C- or above

Candidates must also submit:

• A personal statement describing why they want to attend the program
• A current professional résumé
• A current teaching license
• Transcripts from all prior educational institutions attended 
• Two (2) letters of reference attesting to their character and positive disposition, as well as their ability to advocate for students and their families

MAT candidates must also participate in a pre-admission personal interview. 

Learn more about how to apply to Monroe University. 

How Much Does a Master’s in Teaching Cost?

Great teachers believe everyone deserves a quality education. So do we. 

That’s why, in addition to offering affordable tuition and fees, our financial aid office will help you secure every scholarship, grant, and loan for which you qualify. It’s why we’ve earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Value Schools in Regional Universities North year after year. 

We invite interested candidates to apply for several scholarships specifically for graduate students, including the federal TEACH Grant and the academic scholarship for diverse New York State residents through the NYSED’s Teacher Opportunity Corps II (TOC II).*

*TOC II candidates must be New York State residents who want to pursue teaching in New York State.

Where Can I Teach With a Master’s Degree? 

With your master’s degree in teaching (and New York professional teacher certification), you’ll be qualified to teach in public, private, and charter schools throughout New York State. You’ll also be especially well-prepared to teach in the high-needs schools that will need you the most.

Your advocacy won’t be limited to the classroom. With your MAT degree, you’ll also be ready to pursue a career as an administrator, community organizer, researcher, or professor. You get to decide how you want to make a difference. We’ll make sure you have every tool you need at your disposal.

• View Factsheet.