MAT Adolescence Education: English

The MAT is the ideal career pathway for the next generation of caring, critical, and reflective English teachers.

The best English teachers strengthen the connections among their students, and between their students and the world at large. They support students’ imagination and critical thinking through the study of literature and media, and they support the development of students’ voices through speaking, listening, and writing. The gifts of an outstanding English teacher are a lifelong love of reading and writing along with the skills to make a difference in the world.

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MAT Adolescence Education: English

No Teaching Experience Necessary

The MAT is designed for future teachers with undergraduate degrees in English or related fields. The 48-credit program can be completed in less than two years of full-time study, and graduates are recommended for NYS Initial and Professional Certification. A joint MA/MAT option is available for those wishing to further develop their scholarship in literature and to broaden their professional options.

Join a National Network of Writing Teachers

One thing that sets SUNY New Paltz apart: we are home to the award-winning, Hudson Valley Writing Project, a local site of the National Writing Project (nwp.org). MAT students get opportunities to join, participate, and contribute to cutting edge teaching workshops as well as youth and community writing programs. There are many fieldwork and internship opportunities.

Pedagogical and Disciplinary Expertise

The curriculum focuses on core pedagogical concepts and methods, complemented by upper-division electives taught by Department of English faculty. The program offers small classes led by highly respected and widely published scholars who are passionate about preparing new teachers to work with talented and diverse populations of children.

Develop your Teaching in the Real-World

This program includes a full-semester student teaching capstone experience, giving teacher candidates a valuable opportunity to hone their craft with one of our many partner districts, including partners in New York City and Long Island. Student teachers are supported by faculty advisors on campus and professional mentors in the field, who strive to ensure that all graduates are ready to lead a classroom on day one.

Contact Us

Program Information:

Lakisha Odlum, Assistant Professor
odluml@newpaltz.edu or 845-257-3114

Admission Information:

Alana Matuszewski, Director of Graduate Admission
gradadmissions@newpaltz.edu or (845) 257-3285

 

IS YOUR UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR COMPARABLE?

 

Admission to the MAT program in English requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in English. In addition to Composition 1 and 2* (or the equivalent), your transcript will need to include at least 30 credits of coursework in the following areas:

Foundational Courses

• A sophomore seminar (or equivalent) in literary analysis, research, and criticism

• Introduction to British Literature

• Introduction to American Literature

• Transnational Literature or Multiethnic & Diasporic Literature

History of The English Language and Linguistic Courses

• Development of Modern English or Introduction to Linguistics

Literacy Criticism

• Junior/Senior-level course in Literary Criticism or Contemporary Literary Theory

Upper-Division English Electives

• 300-400 level courses in Shakespeare, Young Adult Literature, Major Authors, etc.

 

Students may also include no more than six credits from the following types of writing courses toward the thirty credit requirement:

• Advanced Rhetoric

• Expository Writing

• Creative Writing

• The Craft of Poetry

• Journalism

• Theories of Writing

If you do not have an undergraduate degree in English, we may be able to count up to six credits of coursework from related majors (journalism, communications, theater arts) toward your degree. In order to pursue an MAT without a bachelor’s degree in English, you will need to complete coursework in the above areas before you can apply. Please consult with the Program Coordinator to make a plan for completing these prerequisite courses.

* A grade of B or better is required for the Composition courses.

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