Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Students admitted for the fall 2026 semester may be awarded a Values & Vision scholarship of up to $2,000 annually for up to 2 consecutive years (up to $4,000 total). Scholarship is awarded based on a holistic review of application for admission. Recipients of this scholarship must remain enrolled in at least 6 credits and maintain satisfactory academic progress within their program.

• Students must take at least 6 credits per semester to receive the scholarship
• The scholarship does not include summer classes
• Students taking as few as one course prior to the fall 2026 semester will not receive the scholarship
• If the length of time it takes to complete the program goes beyond the planned program length, there will be no extension on the scholarship

The MAT in Early Childhood/Special Education program leads to a recommendation for grades PK-3 teacher licensure and grades PK-K Special Education teacher licensure in the State of Connecticut (CT Certification #113).

Click here for the program curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

• Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers who are concerned with the social, emotional and intellectual issues of young children in the contemporary educational setting.
• Apply advanced pedagogy in child development, curriculum, instruction and assessment to engage young students in reaching their potential as individuals and as learners.
• Develop the capacity to influence and advance positive change for young children and the profession of early childhood education in a complex global society.
• Encourage development of collaborative relationships among all adults and agencies responsible for the appropriate emotional, social and cognitive development of young children.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions of educators as defined by InTASC standards and the Common Core of Teaching in Connecticut.

Contact:
Meredith McConnochie, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Phone: 860.231.5540
Email: [email protected]

The MAT in Elementary Education is a cohort-based program that leads to a recommendation for grades PK-6 teacher licensure in the State of Connecticut.

Click here for the program curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

• Learn and apply evidence-based practices in curriculum and instruction at the elementary level.
• Develop and apply equitable teaching practices that support the learning of all students.
• Understand the physical, emotional, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects of development and learning.
• Identify classroom organization and management strategies and practices to enhance learning and engagement.
• Understand historical, social, cultural, and political forces influencing public education and the role of a teacher.
• Synthesize and apply knowledge and skills in clinical practicum experiences that connect theory and practice.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions of educators as defined by InTASC standards and the Common Core of Teaching in Connecticut.

Contact

Eileen González, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Education Department
Phone: 860.231.5522
Email:  [email protected]

The MAT in Secondary Education leads to recommendation for licensure as a grade 4-12 subject teacher in the State of Connecticut.

Subject areas:

• English
• History & Social Studies
• Mathematics
• Biology
• Chemistry
• General Science
• World Languages
• Family & Consumer Sciences

Click here for the program curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the physical, emotional, psychosocial and cognitive aspects of development
• Understand and apply learning theories as they relate to a holistic curriculum
• Evaluate learning and behavior of students
• Identify classroom organization and management techniques to enhance learning
• Understand historical, social, cultural and political forces influencing public education and the role of a teacher in the resulting issues
• Accrue and use in-depth knowledge of professional literature
• Become a lifelong independent learner and reflective practitioner
• Demonstrate responsibility, initiative and sensitivity in working with all children and adolescents in education-related settings
• Teach all children and adolescents effectively in a constructivist and collaborative manner using best practice
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions of educators as defined by InTASC standards and the Common Core of Teaching in Connecticut.

Contact:
Don Siler, Ph.D.
Program Director, Secondary Education
Phone: 860.231.5764
Email: [email protected]

REACH to Teach is an accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching program for candidates seeking initial licensure in secondary education. This 37-credit cohort program, completed in 16 months, meets the Connecticut requirements for initial teacher licensure in secondary content, Grades 4-12. Candidates in good standing earn a 9-credit tuition waiver during student teaching.

Admission requirements are higher:

• A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• For all other requirements, see Acceptance requirements.
• Students must remain in good academic standing to remain in the accelerated program.

Click here for the program curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the physical, emotional, psychosocial and cognitive aspects of development
• Understand and apply learning theories as they relate to a holistic curriculum
• Evaluate learning and behavior of students
• Identify classroom organization and management techniques to enhance learning
• Understand historical, social, cultural and political forces influencing public education and the role of a teacher in the resulting issues
• Accrue and use in-depth knowledge of professional literature
• Become a lifelong independent learner and reflective practitioner
• Demonstrate responsibility, initiative and sensitivity in working with all children and adolescents in education-related settings
• Teach all children and adolescents effectively in a constructivist and collaborative manner using best practice
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions of educators as defined by InTASC standards and the Common Core of Teaching in Connecticut.

The MAT in Special Education – Comprehensive is a program that leads to a recommendation for licensure as a PK-12 Special Education teacher in Connecticut.

The program prepares highly effective practitioners in Special Education whose work is grounded in current research, theory, and evidence-based practice. Candidates develop professional skills and dispositions to effect positive change for students with specialized learning needs.

Click here for the program curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the field as an evolving and changing discipline grounded in evidence-based principles and theories, relevant laws and policies, and human issues that influence the education of individuals with exceptional needs, both in school and society
• Demonstrate respect for individuals with exceptional needs as unique human beings
• Understand how exceptional conditions interact with the domains of human development and use this knowledge to respond to the varying abilities and behaviors of individuals with exceptional learning needs
• Be active in seeking to understand primary language, culture and familial backgrounds that interact with the individual’s exceptional condition
• Use multiple types of assessment information and understand the legal policies and ethical principles of measurement and assessment
• Collaborate with families, other educators, related service providers and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions of educators as defined by InTASC standards and the Common Core of Teaching in Connecticut.

Contact:

Kate Dooley, Ph.D.
Special Education Program Director & Associate Professor of Special Education
Phone: 860.231.5357
Email: [email protected]