The Department of Teaching and Learning and the College of Arts and Science offer several dual-degree programs that allow students majoring in selected disciplines to simultaneously complete both their BA from the College of Arts and Science and an MAT in teacher education from Steinhardt in only 5 years.
Students (both US citizens and international students) admitted to one of the BA/MAT teacher education programs can, with careful planning, earn both degrees in a shortened time and at less cost than is normally the case. These programs combine the benefits of a broad liberal arts education at the undergraduate level with a professional education at the graduate level.
All dual-degree programs qualify graduates for initial certification as a teacher in grades 7 through 12 in New York State.
Why pursue a dual degree in teacher education?
Save time
These dual-degree programs save you time. Depending on your major, you will take 3–13 graduate credits in teacher education as regular electives during your junior or senior year as an undergraduate and count those toward your baccalaureate degree. After you graduate, you will complete the remaining 30–32 credits required for the MAT degree in only one additional year of study. All other students – those who graduate from other institutions or take a year or two off between college and graduate school – must complete 36–43 credits for the MAT degree and may need 3 or 4 semesters to complete their studies.
Save money
The 3–13 graduate credits in teacher education you take during your junior or senior year are covered by NYU’s undergraduate tuition, which allows you to take 12–18 credits/semester for the same flat tuition rate. After you graduate with your bachelor’s degree, you will save more money by completing only a 30–32-credit MAT instead of the regular 36–43 credits required of other students. At NYU and many other graduate schools around the country, graduate tuition is charged on a per-credit basis, rather than a flat fee, so the fewer credits you need to take toward a master’s degree the more money you will save.
Save even more money
Steinhardt offers CAS students (both US citizens and international students) enrolled in these dual degree programs a generous scholarship toward the MA degree. The scholarship typically covers approximately 30% of graduate tuition and may cover more depending on the program of study and availability of external funds.
US citizens and permanent residents must complete a FAFSA form to receive a scholarship. Students who file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may also be eligible for the federal TEACH grant, loans, and other forms of financial aid to cover their graduate school expenses.
Why become a teacher?
Teachers influence lives. They change lives. They inspire and motivate individual children and entire classrooms. They make a difference now and in the future. Having a positive effect on just one child can lead to other positive outcomes in that child’s family, in the school, or in a community.
Teachers lead. They are leaders in their classroom and help children develop their own leadership skills so that they can pursue successful and fulfilling lives. Teachers also apply their leadership skills in settings beyond the classroom – in their schools, in their communities – as experts, mentors, coaches, and scholars.
Teachers uplift communities. By providing opportunities for all children to reach their fullest potential, teachers help reduce inequality in the classroom – and beyond. Underserved communities especially need good teachers who inspire and motivate learning and hold students to high standards.
Teachers share their passions. Teaching is a great way to combine your enthusiasm for a subject – biology, geometry, the Civil War, or hip hop – with your love for working with children or teenagers. Your passion and zeal can inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s engineers, poets, entrepreneurs, artists, or activists.
Teachers build their own futures. Among the careers you can choose, teaching has one of the best futures. No other career offers you so much diversity and so many options. Within the teaching profession, you will always find opportunities to grow as your personal goals change. You may decide to specialize in teaching students with disabilities or English language learners, or to make your impact outside the classroom as a school administrator or educational consultant, a parent advocate or program evaluator. You may decide to create your own charter school or to work for a non-profit organization that focuses on education. Teaching can also be a stepping stone to different careers – in counseling, social work, law, academia, or advocacy.