English Department
Andrea Harbin, chair
Cori McKenzie, graduate coordinator
Old Main, Room 112
607-753-4307
Fax: 607-753-5978

Overview

There are many reasons to pursue a career in teaching English. You may be drawn to the field because you want to share your love of Shakespeare or Young Adult literature; you may want to teach English because you would like to use creative writing or multimodel composing as a way to help your students understand themselves and their world; or perhaps you wish to use the language arts–reading, writing, speaking and listening–as a way to foster social justice and equity. Regardless of your motivation, the M.A.T. in Adolescence Education: English (7-12) will equip you with the pedagogical skills and content knowledge that you will need in order to teach English to diverse learners.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of English language arts subject matter content that includes literature and multimedia texts as well as knowledge of the nature of adolescents as readers.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of English language arts subject matter content that specifically includes language and writing as well as knowledge of adolescents as language users.
3. Plan instruction and design assessments for reading and the study of literature to promote learning for all students.
4. Plan instruction and design assessments for composing texts (i.e. oral, written, and visual) to promote learning for all students.
5. Plan, implement, assess, and reflect on research-based instruction that increases motivation and active student engagement, builds sustained learning of English language arts, and responds to diverse students' context-based needs.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of how theories and research about social justice, diversity, equity, student identities, and schools as institutions can enhance students' opportunities to learn in English Language Arts.
7. Interact knowledgeably with students, families, and colleagues based on social needs and institutional roles, engage in leadership and/or collaborative roles in English Language Arts professional learning communities, and actively develop as professional educators.

Program Highlights

As you study for the M.A.T., you'll choose course topics that range from Arthurian literature and global multicultural literature to teaching methods, language development and composition. Your fieldwork and student teaching experiences will help you obtain the initial certificate that qualifies you to teach in the public schools of New York state. If you have not already met the language requirement for a year of college-level study or the equivalent in a language other than English, you may take language courses during your graduate study. The M.A.T. Portfolio you compile as you progress through the program will be an asset when you apply for teaching positions.

Small Classes, Strong Mentors 

In our small graduate seminars, you'll develop lifelong learning friendships with professors who are passionate about teaching and research. Serving as your mentors, these outstanding professionals invite you into a vibrant intellectual community of shared knowledge that's committed to balancing a well-rounded liberal arts education with excellent preparation for the career path of your choice. 

Flexible Completion Options 

As a full-time student taking 12 or more credit hours per semester, you would be able to complete the program in two years. Our flexible scheduling also offers the option of pursuing the M.A.T. in adolescence education: English (7-12) over multiple years and on a part-time basis.

The M.A.T. is designed for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree and are seeking a teaching certificate in adolescence education: English (7-12). It is not open to students who already have initial certification in secondary English. The program provides

• the pedagogical course work, practica and student teaching experiences necessary for the initial certificate that qualifies individuals to teach in the public schools in New York State;
• the opportunity for advanced study in English and the language arts; and
• the master's degree necessary for the professional certificate in adolescence education: English (7‑12).

A minimum of 46-51 credit hours of approved graduate study as described hereafter is required for the M.A.T. A minimum of nine credit hours must be taken at the 600-level.

Graduate Admissions

 Evaluation Policy

At the State University of New York College at Cortland, we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.

Required Materials

1. Completed online Graduate School Application - Apply Now
2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended to be forwarded directly to SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office, indicating a major in a liberal arts area Note: candidates for admission must present evidence of bachelor's degree conferral prior to the start of their academic program.
3. Two letters of reference, preferably from from undergraduate professors teaching in English, writing or comparative literature courses (submitted online with the application)
4. New York State mandates that all SUNY teacher preparation programs adopt college entrance assessments for admissions consideration.  Anyone submitting an application for admission is required to submit scores for either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), with a minimum score of 280, or Miller Analogies Test (MAT), with a minimum score of 375.

Admissions Criteria

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

1. An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 and above on a 4.0 scale
2. An overall undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 in English courses, writing or comparative literature courses
3. A minimum of 24 credit hours of approved undergraduate courses in English, writing or comparative literature
4. A foreign language is desirable at the time of admission, but the requirement may be met concurrently with graduate study. Competency in a foreign language is defined as the skill level attained by one year of college-level study or the equivalent of a language other than English.

Deadlines

Fall semester applications: July 1
Spring semester applications: Dec. 1
Summer semester applications: April 1

Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a space availability basis.
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at 607-753-4800 to check availability.