MAT in Secondary Education Subject Field (K-12) Alternate Route

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (K-12): Art, Biological Science, Chemistry, Chinese, Earth Science, English, French, Japanese, Music, Physical Science, Social Studies, Spanish, is a 30-credit, 15 month program, in which graduate students earn initial certification in their subject area and a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. The coursework begins in May of the first summer and ends in August of the following summer. The program can be pursued through the traditional or alternate route, which is a two-year program.  The traditional route requires a year-long residency starting in September, during which teacher candidates will be in area schools full time, three days a week in the fall, and four days a week in the spring. The alternate route requires that teacher candidates obtain a certificate of eligibility (CE) in the subject area for which certification is being sought, and are then hired by a participating school as teacher of record in the subject area. Alternate route candidates receive mentoring during their second year. Courses meet on campus in the evening, as well as online. Teacher candidates are required to demonstrate effective teaching, research, and dispositions aligned with COE, state, and national standards through videos, lesson plans, and a research capstone project. Students implement their action research projects during the second summer semester. Literacy and technology are integrated throughout the program and key assessments include a teaching performance assessment, action research project, and edTPA.

~Applicants to the Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education program must apply for a Substitute Teaching License immediately. A Substitute Teaching License will be needed for participation in clinical experiences. See http://www.wpunj.edu/coe/departments/field/substitute-license.html

+Clinical practice, whether through residency (traditional route) or teacher of record (alternate route) requires prior application through the Office of Field Experiences. Clinical experience applications must be submitted as soon as applicants are admitted into the program. Failure to submit an application for the clinical experiences will result in a delay in program completion. For additional information please contact the Office of Field Experiences 973-720-3132 or 973-720-2109.

View requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog
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Application Deadline:

April 30th: Summer semester

*International students are advised to apply by:
December 1st: Summer (May intake)

Contact us

Dr. Thomas Fallace
Program Director, Department of Secondary and Middle School Education
fallacet@wpunj.edu

Admission Requirements:

In addition to the University’s admission requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree with an appropriate academic major in the Subject Field Area from an accredited college or university and official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended
  • A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
  • Passing score on Praxis Core exam in reading, writing, and math
  • Passing Score Passing score on the appropriate Praxis content knowledge exam prior to starting coursework (see https://www.ets.org/praxis/nj/requirements)
  • Two letters of recommendation from educational, professional or business sources
  • An essay describing applicant’s educational philosophy
  • Passing score on scheduled teacher candidate group interview

This MAT alt route program requires that the candidate is a full-time teacher of record in the appropriate subject area. The first year (semesters I-IV) consist of coursework and classroom supervision. The second year (semesters V-VI) consists of mentoring.