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Master of Arts in Teaching with Initial Teacher Certification
Become the kind of educator who changes lives.
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Earn your master's degree and teacher certification at Sacred Heart University and prepare to lead in the classroom from day one. The Master of Arts in teaching (MAT) with initial teacher certification is your pathway to certification in elementary education (grades PK–6), or secondary education (grades 4–12) with subject options in biology, chemistry, English, general science, mathematics, social studies/history, and Spanish.
SHU’s research-validated program is taught by accomplished faculty with extensive classroom experience—within the Farrington College of Education & Human Development, which is Connecticut’s engine of innovation in teacher training.
At a Glance
- Duration: 15 months
- Credits: 39
- Cost Per Credit: $785
- Modality: On campus
- Start Terms: Late Spring/Summer 1 (May) & Fall (August)
- Test Requirements: Praxis
- STEM-Designated: Yes
Learn more about tuition rates and payment options for the MAT program.
Facts & Statistics
Why Choose Sacred Heart’s Master of Arts in Teaching?
You want to become a teacher. You want to do it right. Sacred Heart's MAT program gives you the preparation, hands-on experience, and community of support you need to become an effective, equity-minded educator.
- Learn today's teaching methods from instructors with real-world, public-school experience
- Apply your knowledge in elementary and secondary school environments through class-based practicum or optional school-based experiences
- Complete this 39-credit program (including your student teaching placement) to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and qualify for initial teacher certification
Certification Requirements
SHU students complete the following to earn Connecticut State Certification:
- Complete SHU's state-approved teacher preparation program
- Earn passing scores on the Praxis Subject Assessments in a specific subject area for secondary education candidates and elementary subjects for elementary education candidates
- Receive a passing score on the CT Foundations of Reading Exam if you are pursuing the elementary certification track
Upcoming Events
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Graduate Grant-In-Aid
- Veteran benefits
- Graduate assistantships
- Residence hall director positions
- 30-credit tuition discount for teacher residents
Learn in the Classroom from Day One
There is no substitute for real experience. The Teacher Residency program at Sacred Heart places you in a local public school for a full year, working in the classroom alongside experienced educators, building professional relationships, and applying your coursework in a live classroom environment.
Traditional Teacher Residency
The Traditional Teacher Residency is a yearlong, full-time, school-based experience that runs concurrently with your MAT coursework. As a resident, you'll complete 12 weeks of student teaching, followed by providing instructional support through substitute teaching, small group instruction, tutoring, and more for the remainder of the school year.
In addition to hands-on experience, you will receive a substantial reduction in your total program cost. The school district pays for 30 credits of your MAT tuition.
Residencies are available to students at SHU's Fairfield and Griswold locations.
Teachers@Heart Residency Program
For students seeking an even more immersive experience, the Teachers@Heart Residency offers a highly integrated, full-year model in select partner districts. Participants receive extensive experience in the same classroom, targeted mentorship, financial support, and 30 credits of tuition coverage.
Lifetime Career Support
When you graduate, you are not on your own. Students and alumni of the MAT program gain lifetime access to the Center for Career & Professional Development, where dedicated career coaches provide individualized guidance on résumés, interviews, and job placement. With strong employer relationships, widespread success placing other MAT alumni, and deep industry experience, the career team is committed to connecting you with the right opportunities at every stage of your professional life.
The education program prepared me very well for my teaching career. Each course was geared toward an important pillar within education such as math, literacy, special education, or differentiation. I have applied many of the strategies and skills that I have learned. The residency provided me with real-life experience as a teacher that I may not have had otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
The MAT with Initial Teacher Certification is a 39-credit graduate program at Sacred Heart University that prepares aspiring educators to earn Connecticut certification in elementary education (grades PK–6) or secondary education (grades 4–12). The program combines research-validated coursework with hands-on student teaching experience, and graduates earn both a master's degree and their teaching certification upon completion.
Secondary education candidates can pursue certification in biology, chemistry, English, general science, mathematics, social studies/history, or Spanish. Elementary education candidates earn certification for teaching interdisciplinary subjects to grades PK–6.
The Traditional Teacher Residency is a yearlong, school-based experience that runs alongside your MAT coursework. It is the standard pathway for most students and includes 12 weeks of student teaching. A key benefit is that the partner school district covers 30 credits of your MAT tuition. The Teachers@Heart Residency is an optional, year-long model available in select partner districts for students seeking an even deeper immersive experience.
Program timelines vary based on when you begin coursework and your enrollment pace. Students who begin in the summer can often complete their residency experience beginning in the fall, with student teaching in the spring. Speak with an admissions counselor for a personalized timeline.
For many students, SHU’s dual degree pathway is the most direct route to the classroom. You can earn your bachelor’s and MAT in just five years, benefit from a seamless transition into the graduate program and access hands-on experiences such as SHU Teacher Residency opportunities.
The MAT with initial teacher certification is designed for aspiring educators who do not yet hold a teaching certification. If you are already certified and seeking a master's degree, explore the Master of Education in literacy or the Master of Education in special education pages for options that may be a better fit for your goals.
Your choice of undergraduate major depends on the certification path you pursue. If you see yourself teaching in an elementary classroom (grades PK–6), a major in interdisciplinary studies provides the broad academic foundation you'll need to teach across multiple subject areas. If you're drawn to secondary education (grades 4–12), you'll want to major in the subject you plan to teach, such as mathematics, history, biology, or English.
More Information
The Master of Arts in Teaching with Initial Teacher Certification is offered at Sacred Heart's Fairfield campus and Griswold location.
Fairfield
Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment
Griswold
Program Director - Griswold
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