Our Master of Arts in Teaching program prepares teachers to become educational leaders focused on high-quality differentiated instruction.
Master of Arts in Teaching
Today’s classrooms include increasingly diverse learners, and our M.A.T. program prepares graduates to effectively design instruction and learning environments that meet the needs of all students in their classrooms, schools, and communities.
Men and women with bachelors degrees from Sweet Briar or other institutions may apply and enroll in our M.A.T. program, which results in teacher licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The M.A.T. program can be completed in one to two years, depending on previous coursework.
During the M.A.T. year, teacher candidates fine-tune their teaching skills through graduate-level coursework and extensive PreK-12 classroom experience. While elementary teacher candidates may enter the M.A.T. after earning their initial teaching license during a B.A. program, elementary, secondary, and PreK-12 teacher candidates can earn their initial teaching license during their M.A.T. year. The M.A.T. year is specially designed to maximize teacher candidates’ readiness to lead their own PreK-12 classrooms.
Licensure Tracks
Elementary Education (PreK-6)
Prospective elementary teachers must major in elementary education and complete the required education courses for the PreK-6 licensure (B.A. and M.A.T.).
Secondary Education (6-12)
In order to earn a secondary teaching license, prospective secondary teachers must major in the associated discipline and complete the required education courses for secondary licensure. Secondary teacher candidates earn their teaching license during their M.A.T. year.
Biology licensure: Must major in biology (B.S.)
Chemistry licensure: Must major in chemistry (B.S.)
English licensure: Must major in English and creative writing (B.A.)
History and Social Science licensure: Must major in history (B.A.)
Mathematics licensure: Must major in mathematics (B.A.)
PreK-12
In order to earn a PreK-12 teaching license, prospective PreK-12 teachers must major in the associated discipline and complete the required education courses for PreK-12 licensure. PreK-12 teacher candidates earn their teaching license during their M.A.T. year.
Dance arts licensure: Must major in performing arts [dance track] (B.A.)
Theatre arts licensure: Must major in performing arts [theatre track] (B.A.)
Visual arts licensure: Must major in visual arts [history and image or studio art track] (B.A.)
Special Education (K-12)
In addition to teacher candidates’ primary licensure track, Sweet Briar education program students can add on a special education general curriculum endorsement. This endorsement qualifies teacher candidates to serve as special education teachers, but it also supports the development of high-quality general education teachers who want to learn how to best serve the diverse students within their classrooms.