What is the SMCM MAT program like?

The program is 10 months long (early July-mid May). Students alternate between student teaching internships and coursework; we give you both the knowledge and skills you need to become a good teacher and also the opportunity to try it all out in a classroom with a great mentor teacher to support you. Look here to get a feel for how the year is divided between coursework and internship.

The program is built around a cohort model; you will take classes with a small group of students, with whom you will build deep professional ties. Our alums support one another across their careers; many are still in close contact with their cohort members ten years after graduation.

The St. Mary's education faculty all chose teacher education because of our deep commitment to educational equity and our pleasure in teaching. We are demanding and supportive; we expect you to work hard and to cultivate your best self as you prepare to teach. In our classes, you will learn about classroom management, lesson planning, teaching strategies, and how to make sure your students have learned. In addition to the Educational Studies faculty, you will be taught by subject-matter experts in your certification area, who will help you develop skills with your particular content.

You will practice your growing skills in three different internship experiences: First, you will work alongside other cohort members to teach a small group of students in a week-long summer camp for low-income children. As soon as the teachers in our local school system start back to work, you will begin an internship in your certification area, working under the guidance of a mentor who has been hand-picked for you; that internship will run from August through late March. Then you will move to a final five week placement selected to broaden your experience. Options for this final placement include working with a different grade level, subject area or school population, working in a special education classroom, working in a charter school in Baltimore city, and working with English language learners. At least one of the school year internships will be in a setting serving low-income students.

Throughout the spring semester, we will support you as you seek work; many of our students are hired by the time they graduate in mid-May, and virtually all are hired before the next school year starts.

To learn more about the program or set up a visit, contact the Educational Studies department chair at mat@smcm.edu. To learn about program pre-requisites, tuition, and how to apply, visit this page.