Fifth-Year Master's Degree Program: BA/BS and MAT in Middle and High School Education

Fifth-Year Program Benefits

Start teaching in five years! Your undergraduate degree build subject knowledge; the MAT adds pedagogical knowledge and student teaching experience with a mentor teacher. Graduates are endorsed for initial licensure in the state of Massachusetts and are eligible for reciprocity with 49 other states/DC, plus some U.S. territories and Canadian provinces, per the NASDTEC interstate agreement. 

Get a head start as an undergraduate. You can apply up to 4 courses (100-level+) toward your masters in two ways: 

• Reserve: Reserve up to 2 courses at undergraduate tuition rates for your masters degree (they will not count toward your bachelors). Recommended courses include: ED 130: Human Development and Learning or ED 161: Anthropology and Sociology of School. Complete course reservation forms  according to the rules and deadlines designated by Student Services.
• Double-count: Apply up to 2 courses toward both degrees, per the graduate student handbook. We recommend you do this with your subject area courses. 

Lower overall cost. Master's degree tuition is billed per credit, so any reserved/double-counted courses reduce the cost of your degree. Fifth-Year students may also qualify for a graduate tuition scholarship proportional to their undegraduate aid. 

Fifth-Year Pathway for the Middle and High School MAT

Work with the Middle and High School Education MAT program director, Ryan Redmond, throughout this process. 

Step 1: Choose a major/minor in an endorsed subject area including Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, General Science, History/Social Science, Latin & Classical Humanities, Mathematics, Physics, or Spanish. Coursework should align with the Massachusetts DESE Curricular Frameworks. Work with your major advisor and an Education faculty member to plan your path. 

Subject area advising worksheets coming soon! 

Step 2: Explore the BA/BS/MAT program. Talk with Ryan Redmond and consider enrolling in Education courses to explore your interest. Applicants for the fifth-year program should take at least one course in Education prior to applying. Some recommended courses include: 

• ED 001: School and Society
• ED 010: Teaching and Learning in K-12 History and Social Studies
• ED 020: Seminar for Learning Assistants in STEM
• ED 130: Human Development and Learning
• ED 11X: Curricular Courses in Subject Area
• ED 189: The Role of "Story" in Education 

Step 3: Apply for admission. Graduate admission is separate from undergraduate admission. Apply spring of junior year or fall of senior year. Complete at least one Education course first. See GSAS Fifth-Year Master's Degree Program for deadlines. 

Requirements: two letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member close to your teaching subject area), No GRE< no application fee. Consult with your major advisor and Ryan Redmond. 

Step 4: Complete the MAT. Once accepted, confirm your reserved/double-counted courses are recorded with Student Services. You'll work with your advisor and the program director on scheduling, field placement with a mentor teacher, and licensure requirements. 

Here's a sample schedule of how to fulfill the 10 courses required for the MAT program, including options for double-counting or reserving undergraduate courses. 

If you have questions regarding the Fifth-Year Master's Program in Middle and High School Education, please contact the program director, Ryan Redmond.