The Department of Curriculum and Learning, located in the College of Education, provides students with the knowledge they need to obtain the Connecticut Initial Educators Certificate. Students advance their knowledge of teaching, curriculum, educational theory, educational supervision, and more, and graduate prepared to meet the challenges facing the ever-evolving field of education.
Concentrations
Teaching, M.A.T. – Art Education, PK-12
The MAT program in Art Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach grades PK–12 and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Bilingual/Elementary Education
The MAT program in Bilingual/Elementary Education is the only MAT of its kind in Connecticut and leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach Elementary Education, PK-6 and an additional endorsement in Bilingual Education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Biology, Secondary Education
The MAT program in Biology leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in biology or a closely related field.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Chemistry, Secondary Education
The MAT program in Chemistry leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Early Childhood Education
The MAT program in Early Childhood Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification in Integrated Early Childhood/Elementary Education N-3 and Special Education N-K and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment, split between a pre-k or kindergarten setting and a setting in grades one through three.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Earth Science, Secondary Education
The MAT program in Earth Science leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in earth science or a closely related field.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Elementary Education, PK-6
The MAT program in Elementary Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach grades PK–6 and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.
Teaching, M.A.T. – English, Secondary Education
The MAT program in English leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.
Teaching, M.A.T. – History & Social Studies, Secondary Education
The MAT program in History & Social Studies leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Mathematics, Secondary Education
The MAT program in Mathematics leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.
Teaching, M.A.T. – Physics, Secondary Education
The MAT program in Physics leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment. Candidates should hold a bachelor’s degree in physics or a closely related field.
Teaching, M.A.T. - Comprehensive Special Education
The MAT program in Special Education leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach grades PK–12 and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment.
Teaching, M.A.T. – World Languages (French, German, Italian, Spanish), Secondary Education
The MAT program in World Languages leads to a Master of Arts degree and is designed for individuals seeking initial teacher certification. This program prepares candidates for Connecticut State certification to teach secondary education and offers comprehensive training for future educators. Throughout the program, candidates gain hands-on experience through field placements and classroom observations, culminating in a semester-long student teaching assignment in a middle school or high school.
Program Requirements - French ›› Program Requirements - German ›› Program Requirements - Italian ›› Program Requirements - Spanish ››
Careers
A Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) prepares graduates for careers as licensed classroom teachers in elementary, middle, or high schools, depending on their certification area. The degree emphasizes practical teaching skills and classroom experience, making it ideal for those entering the profession or changing careers.
Graduates may teach subjects like English, math, science, or social studies, and may also qualify for positions in special education or English as a Second Language (ESL). With experience, M.A.T. holders can advance to roles such as department chair, instructional coach, or curriculum specialist, and may pursue further education for administrative or leadership positions.
High Demand Areas
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are involved in nearly every aspect of our lives. Basic math and science knowledge provide individuals with the skills to make important, informed life decisions. Science teachers play a pivotal role in developing critical thinkers and scientifically literate citizens. Nearly two million new teachers will be needed in the next decade. In particular, science is considered a “shortage” area, and science teachers are in high demand.
- Teaching, M.A.T. - Biology 7-12
- Teaching, M.A.T. - Chemistry 7-12
- Teaching, M.A.T. - Earth Science 7-12
- Teaching, M.A.T. - Physics 7-12
Typical Job Titles
- Elementary School Teacher
- Middle School Teacher
- High School Teacher
- Special Education Teacher
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
- Reading Specialist (with additional certification)
- Instructional Coach
- Curriculum Specialist
- Literacy Interventionist
- STEM Teacher