UVM alumnus Thomas Payeur works with a student at Winooski High School.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with Licensure to Teach

In just one year, you can earn a master's degree and gain licensure to teach! Scholarships are available for qualified candidates.

Our nationally recognized, CAEP-accredited Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Secondary Education is for individuals with a bachelor's degree in an academic discipline who want to earn a Master's degree and become licensed to teach high school (grades 7-12) in one or more of the following academic areas: English, Computer Science, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and World Languages.

Current UVM undergraduate students may choose to pursue our Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP).

"The MAT program offered me a rigorous and rich experience that prepared me for my teaching career. I'm grateful for all I've learned in this program, and for the lasting relationships I've developed with my colleagues in the cohort."  Steven Ushakov (G'17), Randolph Union High School

Full-Time or Part-Time

Through our full-time program option, you can complete the MAT and licensure requirements in just one year. Begin the program in July, and be a licensed teacher with your own classroom the following year. We also offer a part-time option for those who have other commitments and may need more time for program completion.

Full-Year Internship

Our internships are full-year, hands-on practical experiences that offer a perfect blend of theory and practice. We place you in high schools working under the mentorship of quality teachers licensed to teach in their disciplines. The goal is for you to practice in your internship some of the great ideas and strategies that you are learning in your courses.

Small Cohort Model and Interactive Pedagogy

Learning requires dialogue and support. Each year we select a small group of applicants for the program. Your cohort will experience the sequence of courses and internships together. We believe the support and dynamics of your fellow students are an essential part of your graduate school experience.

The small cohort size also results in seminar-style classes. We believe in modeling the type of learning opportunities that we hope you will then use with your high school students. You can expect to participate in collaborative learning, hands-on tasks, and co-teaching experiences in your classes.

Accomplished Faculty

Your professors have extensive teaching and research experiences in secondary education. Most have been high school teachers in diverse schools throughout the United States and abroad. If you want to learn more about our faculty, you can visit their profiles.

Multiple Licensure Options

Upon program completion, students in our program are eligible for Vermont teaching licensure (grades 7-12) in the following disciplines: Computer Science, English, Foreign Language (French, Spanish, German), Mathematics, Social Studies and Science (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science and Physics). Dual licensure is also possible for those students who meet the content requirements for multiple subject areas.

High Job Placement Rate

We are proud of our excellent job placement rate over the past 10 years. We attribute this success to both the high quality of our program and the candidates we are fortunate to accept.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a typical program plan?

Below is a typical course plan for full-time enrollment in the Secondary Education MAT program:

Summer (3-6 credits)

EDSC 207: Adolescent Development, 3 credits

EDSP 201: Foundations of Special Education, 3 credits (can be taken in the fall)

Fall (9-13 credits)

EDSP 201: Foundations of Special Education, 3 credits (if not taken in the summer)

EDSC 215: Reading in the Secondary School, 3 credits

EDSC 216: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for Secondary School Teachers, 3 credits

EDSC 209: Practicum in Teaching (on site), 4 credits

Spring (15 credits)

EDSC XXX: Subject Methods, 3 credits

EDSC 226: Teaching Internship (on-site), 9 credits

EDSC 230: Teaching for Results, 3 credits

Praxis Core and Praxis II in your content area are required for Vermont licensure.

What does it mean to earn a teaching license for grades 7-12?

Most states require a license in order to be a public school teacher of any age group.  In the Secondary MAT program, students complete coursework that aligns with Vermont’s Agency of Education requirements for a secondary, or high school, teaching license, which allows you to teach your subject in any grade from 7th-12th.  Not interested in teaching high school?  We also have a Middle Level MAT program (grades 5-8) as well as a non-licensure Curriculum and Instruction M.Ed. program.

What are the available content areas for which I can earn a license?

The content areas of licensure are English, foreign language, mathematics, computer science, science, and social studies.  If you have an undergraduate degree in one of these areas, chances are you’ve completed most of the content coursework required by the state.  When you apply to the program, faculty will do a transcript review to check for any outstanding content coursework.

What's the difference between the M.A.T and the M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction?

Upon completion of the M.A.T program you are recommended for teacher licensure, which you need to be eligible to teach in your own classroom. The M.Ed. program offers a Master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction without the license, and is useful for already-licensed teachers or those wishing to enter a more specialized field such as educational technology, library/media science, or reading and literacy.

How long will it take me to complete the program?

The program is designed to begin in the summer and be competed the following spring; so one academic year plus a summer course.

Is it possible to complete the program on a part-time basis?

Students are strongly encouraged to enroll on a full-time basis (12-15 credits per semester).  Part-time attendance is an option, however, all candidates must attend full-time during their final semester in order to complete the student teaching internship. Some required courses are usually offered in the late afternoon or evening, but it is not possible to complete the program taking only evening courses.  Part-time slots are limited and students must make a formal request to the program faculty for consideration.

Is the GRE or other standardized test required?

The MAT program does not require the GRE, ACT, or other test for admission purposes.  However, while in the program, students must pass the Praxis Core exam, and the Praxis II exam is required for state licensure.  The Praxis Core can be waived if a student has an eligible score on the GRE, SAT, or ACT.

How much does it cost to attend the M.A.T. program?

Please see the Student Financial Services website for detailed and current tuition information.

Scholarships are available for qualified in-state and out-of-state students in all disciplines. 

Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP)

Current UVM undergraduates can apply to our Accelerated Master’s Pathway (AMP), saving time and money on the way to an advanced degree with teaching licensure. Undergraduate students in their third year of study can apply. Through the AMP, 6 credits are double-counted towards both your Master’s and undergraduate degrees. Plus, an additional 3 credits of graduate coursework may be taken while you're still an undergraduate.  Meet with your advisor to discuss your interest in the AMP!

UVM graduate Elizabeth Payeur talking with student in her class.

Questions?

Please email: Secondary.MAT@uvm.edu

Apply Now

How to Apply

Candidates must have:

  • A degree major or equivalent in a State-approved licensing area (see "Program Information and Application Instructions," below).
  • A minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate coursework as well as a 3.0 in the State-approved licensing area (major).
  • A demonstrated commitment to working with young people.

Application Instructions:

On page 3 of the UVM Graduate College online application:

  • Go to “Curriculum & Instruction”
  • Select “Degrees Name - MAT”
  • Select the term
  • Choose Specialty Concentration (i.e., "Secondary Education")

Questions and Additional Information

Please contact Secondary.MAT@uvm.edu for more information and application instructions.

Attending the Graduate College at UVM

For more information about attending the Graduate College at UVM, including funding opportunities and academic policies, please see the Graduate College website.