Social Studies applicants should have a Bachelor's Degree with a major in history or a social science field (excluding psychology) or substantial study in related areas. Those with related majors should contact John Palella to inquire about whether their courses meet certification requirements.

Transcript Requirements for Social Studies —
Applicants should have completed a minimum of 9 courses (or 36 units) distributed in multiple areas of social studies. Applicants should have at least 1 course in each of the following areas: American/U.S. History, Non-Western History, and Ethnic Studies. Their coursework should also show evidence of a breadth of knowledge that encompasses these areas:

• Western Civilization

• Anthropology

• Economics

• Geography

• Political Science

• Sociology  

• Online application. The application opens in September and is due January 15. 

• Transcripts. All applicants may upload unofficial transcripts for application submission. Official transcripts are ONLY required for enrolling students before the start of classes.

• Three (3) letters of recommendation, or two (2) for current Brown undergraduates. Applications may be submitted without all three letters of recommendation, but an admission decision will not be released until they are received.

• Personal statement. It should address why you want to teach your subject to structurally and economically disadvantaged students and how you believe education can be a tool for equity.

• Resume/CV. Teaching experience or coursework in education is not required, though we expect applicants to have prior work with children or adolescents. 

• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for any non-native English speaker who does not have a degree from an institution where English is the sole language of instruction.

• Interview for selected candidates: An interview may be requested of potential candidates for admission. Applicants are strongly encouraged to come to Brown for an interview, but a telephone or virtual interview may be arranged if necessary.

The GRE is not required to apply for the MAT program. 

MAT candidates begin a summer session running from mid-June through early August. 

MAT candidates then begin year-long teaching residencies in late August, and coursework in early September. The year concludes with Commencement at the end of May.

The design of the program makes it necessary for all students to begin the program in June and complete the 12-month sequence.

The following plan of study is required of all secondary Social Studies MAT students:

The following tuition charges are in effect for the 2023-2024 academic year. Tuition generally increases by 3-5% each year. Tuition and fee charges for the 2024-2025 academic year will be set in early 2024. 

Learn more about masters tuition and fees. 

The MAT program awards both need and merit-based scholarships, with the majority of funds dedicated to need-based awards. All applicants will be considered automatically for limited merit-based funds.

Learn more here.

Upon successful completion of all components of the Teacher Education program, MAT candidates receive a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

After completing these requirements and passing the required Praxis II tests (Discipline Specific Test Secondary) candidates are eligible to receive initial certification from the RI Department of Education.

Rhode Island is a member of the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement, allowing graduates reciprocal certification without transcript evaluation in most states. Graduates of the program may be eligible for teacher certification by transcript evaluation in states that are not NASDTEC members. Please note that several states require additional testing such as Massachusetts, New York, and California.

Multilingual learners (MLLs), who speak a wide variety of heritage languages in addition to learning English, comprise 10% of the U.S. school population, with numbers growing across the country.

Students in the MAT program enroll in a yearlong course dedicated to learning differentiation strategies for multilingual learners in their disciplines. They examine the intersection of culture and language, learn about the process of second language acquisition, and discuss specific issues affecting MLLs, including testing, family engagement, and challenges facing children who enter the U.S., and specifically Rhode Island, during their middle or high school years.

Through examination of sheltered instruction strategies, integration of WIDA English language development standards, and review of culturally responsive pedagogies, MATs will learn to plan and deliver high-quality instruction that is differentiated to meet the needs of MLLs. Students have multiple opportunities to practice strategies with multilingual learners in their residency sites and to reflect on their pedagogy with MATs in different disciplines. Through successful completion of the course, MATs will earn an MLL endorsement for their Rhode Island State Certification.

Please see our events calendar for a schedule of upcoming information sessions.