Master of Arts in Teaching
Teacher Education
Bring Learning to Life
Are you looking for a teaching program with built-in flexibility? Recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Education as an Approved Educator Preparation Program, JWU’s Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is a perfect fit for career changers who want to become certified teachers in RI.
Choose from 3 concentrations. You and your classmates will matriculate as a cohort, follow a set sequence of courses, and explore best practices in a real-world setting.
During your student teaching residency, you will learn to manage your own classroom, responding daily to students’ developmental and social needs. Under the guidance of experienced teachers, create and deliver lessons utilizing first-rate curriculum materials, learning on the job what it takes to earn the title of teacher.
Upon graduation, you’ll be well-prepared to apply for state licensure to teach in your dual content areas, giving you an advantage over other teaching candidates holding state licensure in only one area.
Individual states may require specific licensing or professional certification in addition to earning a degree in order to practice in the field. For more information, review the Licensure & Professional Certification Disclosures.
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M.A.T. Concentrations*
- Business/Secondary Special Education
- Culinary Arts Education
- Elementary/Elementary Special Education
With a dual concentration in business and special education, you will be well-situated to support the learning of all students. Coursework includes field-based experiences in public school, applying what you’ve learned by working each week with public school students in a variety of school settings. After completing your coursework and fieldwork, you will be ready for your student teaching experience.
Take classes in person at our Providence Campus and have field-based experiences in public school and JWU culinary classrooms. This fieldwork allows you to apply what you’ve learned by working each week with students in culinary classrooms. After completing your coursework and fieldwork, you will be ready for student teaching in either a high school or university culinary setting or completing a Culinary Capstone project focused on education.
With a dual concentration in elementary education and special education, you’ll be well-situated to support the learning of all students. Your coursework includes field-based experiences in public school, applying what you’ve learned by working each week with public school students in a variety of school settings. After completing your coursework and fieldwork, you will be ready for your student teaching experiece.
* Each of our concentrations is approved to prepare candidates to meet the requirements of the Rhode Island Right to Read Act. For Elementary/Elementary Special Education and Business/Secondary Special Education, you will graduate with a proficiency level for the Science of Reading; Culinary Arts Education will graduate with an awareness level.
To learn more about the completion and employment rates for JWU’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, see the Rhode Island Department of Education’s EdPrep Index and the federal Title II Reporting for Rhode Island data.
JWU Advantages
- Cohort model: Progress with your group as you work through coursework together.
- Small class sizes for individualized attention.
- Convenient evening classes with limited daytime field hours until full-time student teaching begins in the second year.
- Our practitioner faculty includes superintendents, district administrators, special education directors, educational coaches and teachers who use their public school experience to bring learning to life in our university-based classrooms.
- Coursework taught by working teachers helps you develop realistic expectations around day-to-day teaching, from developing lesson plans to utilizing project-based learning and specialized instruction in the classroom.
- If you currently work at one of our K-12 partner school districts or schools, you may be eligible for our District Partnership Discount. Contact a JWU financial planner to see if you qualify.
- JWU Alumni may be eligible to receive a 25% tuition discount through the Wildcat Alumni Scholarship.
First Class: JWU-RI Partnership Helps Tackle Teacher Shortages
JWU and Central Falls have formalized a partnership for M.A.T. students to jump in as substitutes and earn valuable hands-on experience. For them, time in the classroom is key — and this partnership provides real-time experience that leads to initial teaching certification.
Extension Courses for Special Education License
Are you already a licensed teacher in Rhode Island? We can tailor a course plan for you.
We will review your credentials and determine which courses you need to get your special education license.
Extension students don’t automatically receive the special education teaching license after completing our courses. We are helping you prepare to get your license. Contact us for more information.
“The curriculum matched what I was looking for. I also liked the cohort model — going through the entire program with the same students. We developed into a tight group.”-Greg Hogan '25 M.A.T.
All concentrations require:
- Transcript analysis to determine if any additional coursework is needed prior to program start.
- Clear criminal background check to participate in required fieldwork.
In addition, individual concentrations have the following bachelor’s degree requirements:
- Business/Secondary Special Education requires a bachelor’s degree in business from an accredited undergraduate college or university.
- Elementary/Elementary Special Education requires a bachelor’s degree (any major) from an accredited undergraduate college or university.
- Culinary Arts Education requires a bachelor’s degree in/or related to culinary arts or baking & pastry arts from an accredited undergraduate college or university.
Assessment Prior to Student Teaching
Student teaching usually occurs during the candidate’s final term(s). Permission to student teach is granted to candidates who have done the following:
- Achieved a program GPA of 3.0 or better
- Passed the appropriate content exam for the concentration areas
- Provided evidence of significant progress toward meeting the Rhode Island Professional Teacher Standards (RIPTS) and all other designated standards related to their concentration
- Passed a video assessment of readiness for student teaching and an assessment of technology use to support teaching and learning.
Assessment Prior to Recommendation for Program Completion
Teacher candidates must satisfactorily pass several transition points throughout the program. Having completed student teaching and all transition points, teacher candidates present their final portfolio and assessment data to a team of evaluators.
In addition, candidates for licensure must have passed all tests required by RIDE for licensure in the areas sought. Following the candidate’s presentation, the director of the Teacher Education Program shall make the appropriate recommendation regarding the awarding of the M.A.T. degree and state licensure.*
*It is important to note that, while Johnson & Wales awards the M.A.T. degree, it is the Rhode Island Department of Education that makes the final decision regarding the granting of licensure.
Faculty Contact
Cynthia Senenko, M.Ed.
Interim Director of Teacher Education Programs
401-598-4846
Email
