Department of Education

Program Overview MAT

Drawing connections between their coursework and experiences in the K-12 classroom, Brown's MAT students continuously connect theory to practice in deep and meaningful ways.

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Brown's Graduate Programs in Education

Program Overview MAT

Drawing connections between their coursework and experiences in the K-12 classroom, Brown's MAT students continuously connect theory to practice in deep and meaningful ways.

Brown's MAT program prepares aspiring teachers to become critically reflective and impactful secondary teachers. The program aims to cultivate a deep understanding of the social contexts of education and its impact on students, families, communities, and schools. Graduates are prepared to approach the teaching of students in diverse communities with empathy, cultural competence, and intentional cycles of improvement grounded in data and critical reflection.

Upon completing the degree program and passing the state-required Praxis exams, candidates will be recommended for a Rhode Island Department of Education teaching certificate in their secondary-level discipline and an endorsement in teaching multilingual learners. If candidates are interested in obtaining licensure in a different state, they will be eligible through reciprocity based upon agreements in the Interstate Certification Agreement with NASDTEC.

Inside Brown University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program: A Conversation with Director Katie Rieser

Summer: Bridging Theory and Practice

The program begins with a 6-week summer term focused on student-centered learning and subject-specific teaching methods. MAT candidates study the Science of Reading as a framework for all content areas, fulfilling Right to Read Act requirements. This coursework is closely tied to daily fieldwork at Brown Summer High School, a 4-week summer enrichment program where candidates work with local high school students.

Yearlong Residency: Learning by Teaching

Starting on the first day of school, MAT candidates spend the academic year immersed in local classrooms. They gradually take on teaching responsibilities with guidance from expert mentor teachers and ongoing coaching from MAT faculty.

Coursework throughout the year integrates research with practice and emphasizes inclusive instruction, learning differences, and support for emerging bilingual students. Candidates also study curriculum design and collaborate with Urban Education Policy students in a shared course on educational equity and community strengths, preparing them to lead change in both classrooms and policy spaces.

Courses Include:

Discipline-based pedagogy in all three semesters
Educating Emerging Bilinguals
Inclusion and Differentiation for Learners with Special Needs
Educational Inequity and Community Assets
Instructional Design
Assessment of Learning