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

STEP 1 - Take a breadth of STEM Courses

To prepare for a career teaching General Science, consider taking a broad range of courses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics that suit your interests. You might want to choose one subject area in which to major (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Climate Science, or Physics) or explore co-major or minor options such as, Science Technology and Society or Environmental Studies. 

The table below lists a sample of courses that align the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Subject Matter Knowledge (SMK) guidelines for the General Science 5-8 MAT degree. Many of these courses overlap with the Biology major. 

Course pathways are flexible and can include courses not listed below. You should choosing a major and a course plan in consultation with the Director of the Middle and High School MAT program, (Ryan Redmond) or one of our faculty members in STEM Education. *See below for double-counting and reserving courses* 

STEP 2 - Consider applying for the fifth-year Master's degree program: BS/MAT in Middle and High School Education

Have a conversation with Education faculty member, Ryan Redmond, about your interest in a career in teaching General Science. Take a sneak peak and consider enrolling in some introductory courses in Education, such as ED 001: School and Society or ED 020: Seminar for Learning Assistants in STEM to see if it's right for you. 

STEP 3: Admission Process and Criteria

Admission to the graduate degree portion of the program is separate from the undergraduate degree portion. Students may apply during the spring of their junior year or by the fall of their senior year. For application deadlines, please see the GSAS Fifth-Year Master's Degree Program information.  Students must take at least one course within the Department of Education prior to applying.

Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation, with one letter from a faculty in a STEM subject area. Applicants are exempted from the GRE requirement, and are not required to pay the graduate application fee.

Prospective Fifth-Year Master's Degree students should consult with their undergraduate major advisor and Ryan Redmond, Director of the MAT in Middle and High School Education.

*Double Counting and Reserving Courses

A benefit of the fifth-year program is you can take advantage of reserving up to 2 100-level or above courses taken during your undergraduate program to use for your masters degree program. This means they will not count towards your bachelors degree but will allow you to take these required courses at the undergraduate tuition rate and allow more flexibility when going through the MAT program. We encourage you to consider ED 130: Human Development and Learning and/or a course that fulfills the foundations requirement, such as ED 161: Anthropology and Sociology of School or ED 162: Critical Histories of U.S. Education. 

Additionally, up to 2 100-level courses can be double-counted earning you both credit for your bachelors degree and your masters degree. We recommend you do this with your science courses required for the MAT program. 

Tuition and Financial Aid

Fifth-Year Master's students may seek financial aid assistance for their graduate degree. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences provides a graduate tuition scholarship proportional to the undergraduate tuition award at the time of application.

If admitted to the program, you will reduce the cost of your master's by applying credits already earned as an undergraduate. Students accepted into a Fifth-year Master's Program will be charged graduate tuition per-credit once they receive their bachelor’s degree and only for the courses that are left to complete.

STEP 4: Start and complete the MAT in Middle and High School Education

Congratulations! You were accepted into the MAT program! Make sure you've worked with student services to have the courses you designated to either double count or be reserved for the MAT program listed on your transcript!

You will work closely with the director of the program, Ryan Redmond, to work on your schedule, obtain your field placement site and supervising practitioner (mentor teacher), and complete all requirements needed to successfully be endorsed for initial license. Here's an idea of what an example schedule could look like, including the possibilities for double counting or reserving courses from your undergraduate program.

10 courses are required to complete the MAT program

Student and Alumni Perspectives

Abraham Alvarado, MAT Middle and High School, Class of 2022, speaking about 'From Undergraduate to Graduate to Teacher'