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Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Secondary Education

In the secondary program in English, history/social studies, or biology/science, MAT candidates study their disciplines broadly and in depth as they prepare themselves to help adolescents appreciate the structure and essential questions that comprise the discipline. Consisting of three distinct, yet interconnected, semesters, candidates begin the MAT year by teaching at Brown Summer High School, followed by either an academic semester of content-area coursework or the student teaching semester. MATs are coached in their efforts to transform subject matter into exciting and innovative curricula by Brown Teacher Education faculty and experienced mentor teachers. The secondary program emphasizes standards-based instruction, culturally relevant content, a belief in high expectations for all students, and assessment-driven instruction.

Course of Study

The Graduate School at Brown offers a 12-month (summer plus academic year) MAT program to prepare college graduates for careers as secondary school teachers of English, history/social studies, or biology/science. The program consists of three courses taken in, or directly related to, the student’s teaching field (e.g. English, history/social studies, or biology/science) and five courses taken in education, including the summer practicum and academic-year student teaching. Graduate transfer credit from other institutions is limited.

<Sample Course of Study diagram>

Admissions and Certification Information

Admissions

All applicants must have an appropriate background to teach their subject field.

English applicants should have a Bachelor of Arts in English or a related area. At least one course in composition is strongly recommended.

History/social studies applicants should have a Bachelor of Arts with a major in history or a social science field (excluding psychology) and should have completed a minimum of three courses in history. Those with related majors should follow the directions below.

Biology/science applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in biology or some other closely related field. If the degree is in a related field, applicants should also have substantial training in biology (five courses, at least two with a laboratory component).

American Studies majors are encouraged to apply in either English or history/social studies.

Applicants should have some prior experience working with adolescents. No teaching experience or coursework in education is necessary.

Applicants may determine whether they have completed sufficient coursework in their academic area of interest by emailing or faxing a copy of their transcript(s) to the appropriate faculty member for a preliminary review: Teacher_Ed@brown.edu or (401)863-1276.

Certification

By the completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Brown University, students are expected to have taken the following courses in their content area during both their undergraduate and graduate studies in order to fulfill certification requirements.

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FOR ENGLISH:
Students must plan to complete a minimum of eight (8) courses in the study of literature and language, which should include work in the following:

  • Theories of writing or theories of teaching writing
  • Critical theory
  • Literature of the western canon, including Chaucer, Shakespeare, and the English Romantic poets
  • American literature
  • American ethnic literature
  • Modern and contemporary literature
  • Literature in translation or world literature
  • Poetry
  • Drama
  • Linguistics, focusing on the structure of language and social influences on language development and use
  • Media studies

FOR HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES:
Students must plan to complete a minimum of six (6) courses in history. The courses must be distributed among the following:

  • American history
  • Western civilization
  • Non-Western civilization
  • European history

In order to receive an endorsement(s) in social studies, a minimum of two (2) courses need to be completed in one or more of the following social sciences disciplines (both courses must be in the same discipline):

  • Anthropology
  • Economics
  • Geography
  • Political science
  • Sociology

 
FOR BIOLOGY/SCIENCE:
Students must plan to complete a minimum of eight (8) biology courses, which should include work in the following:

  • Botany
  • Zoology
  • Physiology
  • Genetics
  • Ecology

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Summer Student Teaching

The summer student teaching semester called Brown Summer High School, with an enrollment of approximately 250 secondary students, is held on campus. The courses are taught by teams of MATs guided by mentor teachers from local schools. Each team teaches one course tailored to the specific discipline and supervised through a collaborative process by the Teacher Education Faculty.

Program Schedule

Approximately half the MAT students in any given year complete their student teaching during semester I and coursework in their teaching field during semester II. For the other MAT students in the program, the arrangement is reversed.

Typical Program Course Credits

SUMMER

  • 1 credit - Literacy Across the Curriculum
  • 1 credit - Methods of Teaching
    English, history/social studies, or biology/science, including a team-teaching practicum in Brown Summer High School

SEMESTER I

  • 1 credit - The Psychology of Teaching and Learning
  • 1 credit - Student Teaching with Analysis Seminar

SEMESTER II

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