Masters of Arts in Teaching Spanish
What is an MAT?
The Master of Arts in Teaching is a graduate degree intended primarily for people who want to be teachers in the K-12 system or perhaps in two-year colleges; it is different from a traditional MA in that it focuses on providing training that will be of practical use to K-12 teachers. This program is especially designed for teachers of Spanish working in the unique, bilingual conditions of the South Jersey area.
Why study a MAT?
Demand for Spanish teachers in K-12 systems and two-year colleges in our region is strong and appears likely to grow, given the World Languages requirements in New Jersey schools and the strong presence of Spanish speakers in our area.
The MAT at Rutgers Camden is a program designed in collaboration with the Teaching Preparation Program that allows both undergraduate and graduate students to develop their pedagogical skills to succeed and excel in their educative profession here, in the unique cultural conditions of South Jersey.
What are the specifics of this program at Rutgers Camden?
The MAT at Rutgers Camden offers two tracks:
Track 1. MAT for already Certified Teachers of Spanish (30 credits)
1. Complete 27 credits in foreign language courses. These include 24 credits in the language (including 6 credits in linguistics), or literature/culture, and 3 credits in methodology.
2. Take 3 credit Capstone course. Based upon previous and current course work. The course provides structured and critical reflection on the practical experiences gained by the students in their workplace. A culmination Teaching Portfolio presented and defended to a three-person committee.
3. Comprehensive Exam for contents in the 24 credits in foreign language, literatures, and cultures. The exam will be divided into two parts, one for courses in linguistics and another for courses in literatures and cultures.
Track 2. MAT for students pursuing Teacher Certification (42 credits)
1. Complete 27 credits in foreign language courses. These include 24 credits in the language, or literature/culture, linguistics, and 3 credits in methodology.
2. Capstone Course (3 credits). Based upon previous and current course work. The course provides structured and critical reflection on the practical experiences gained by the students during their Practicum. A culmination Teaching Portfolio presented and defended to a three-person committee.
3. Contemporary Issues in Secondary Education (3 credits). Taught by the Teacher Preparation Program, this course will focus on contemporary issues in secondary education.
4. Comprehensive Exam for contents in the 24 credits in foreign language, literatures, and cultures. The exam will be divided into two parts, one for courses in linguistics and another for courses in literatures and cultures.
5. Practicum (3 credits). The practicum, supervised by the TTP, involves 45 hours of field experience. It is mandatory according to New Jersey certification guidelines.
6. Complete 6 credits of Student Teaching (held in the last semester). All coursework must have been completed before commencing this practice. Student Teaching is supervised by the TTP.
How is this MAT different from others in the region?
Our MAT program, with coursework entirely in Spanish, but offered in cooperation with the Teacher Preparation Program, will offer fluent Spanish speakers who may come from other cultural and educational traditions a thorough grounding in the methodologies and expectations of the US classroom, at the same helping Anglophone students develop full fluency in Spanish.
Graduates will combine advanced abilities in the target languages with intense training in pedagogical methods and acute sensibility to the special needs of the academic and cultural communities it serves. The combination of all three factors, pedagogical training, linguistic competence, and cultural awareness, distinguishes our program sharply from others offered in nearby institutions.
What do I need to apply?
1) Applicants must submit two recommendation letters.
2) They must also have a bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA from an accredited college or university.
3) An undergraduate major in foreign language is not mandatory for MAT study, and, in fact, many students will be coming to develop their proficiency in Spanish or teaching skills from a variety of disciplines and circumstances.
4) The State of New Jersey requires that all teachers pass two exams that demonstrate the candidate’s proficiency in a foreign language; the OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) and Praxis II (A Pre-Professional Skills Test).
The admission score for the MAT in the OPI is Advanced Low.
The Praxis II in NOT required as an entry level, but needs to be taken before the end of the last semester, since it IS required to get a State License. The minimum score for Praxis II is 168.
5) A writing sample/STATEMENT OF PURPOSE both in English and Spanish
6) The GRE is NOT required.
** Admission through the B.A/M.A. dual-degree program
Applicants seeking admission to the Masters of Teaching in Spanish through the dual-degree program must be approved for admission by the Director of Graduate Studies in their junior year, whereupon they can take three graduate courses in their senior year.
Students using this option mist still apply for admission to the MAT program during their senior year, following the procedure for a standard admission.
How is this MAT different from others in the region?
Our MAT program, with coursework entirely in Spanish, but offered in cooperation with the Teacher Preparation Program, will offer fluent Spanish speakers who may come from other cultural and educational traditions a thorough grounding in the methodologies and expectations of the US classroom, at the same helping Anglophone students develop full fluency in Spanish.
Graduates will combine advanced abilities in the target languages with intense training in pedagogical methods and acute sensibility to the special needs of the academic and cultural communities it serves. The combination of all three factors, pedagogical training, linguistic competence, and cultural awareness, distinguishes our program sharply from others offered in nearby institutions.
Who do I need to contact if I am interested?
Please send your inquiry to Professors Ana Laguna (alaguna@camden.rutgers.edu) or Próspero García (prospero.garcia@rutgers.edu).