With a 30-year history of success, the Clarkson Department of Education offers the tools needed to be both a successful world language teacher and English language specialist.

The Clarkson MAT program is the right career choice because graduates consistently have a success rate of over 95 percent on the rigorous New York State Teacher Certification Exams and a job placement rate of 100 percent for the past five years. Our students graduate with confidence and hands-on experience in the classroom built during an individually selected, full-year, mentored teaching residency included as part of the program.

The MAT World Language and ESOL program is a dual degree and licensure-endorsing program that prepares candidates for three certifications: grade 7-12 World Language, FLES extension (grade 1-6 world language) and ESOL p-K-12. The program prepares you in one of the following grade 1-12 disciplines: Chinese, French, German, Greek, Latin, Russian and Spanish.

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MAT World Language & ESOL Curriculum

The MAT World Language and ESOL program at Clarkson is a 51-credit-hour program. This coursework focuses on teaching and can be tailored to your subject of interest. Students can complete their program in two years on a full-time basis or over a longer period of time as a part-time student.

MAT World Language and ESOL Curriculum

MAT World Languages and ESOL Curriculum (51-Credit Program)

Every member of the Master of Arts in Teaching faculty has substantial K-12 teaching experience. Students are successful, in part, because they receive extensive mentorship and support from master teachers who bring advanced teaching skills and extensive classroom experience to the MAT program. As a result, our graduating students are among the most qualified and sought-after teachers in the field.

Prerequisites (No Credits):

  • Field Experience - Four days of structured observations in secondary schools. The Department of Education can help organize this. 
  • The equivalent of an undergraduate major in the foreign language the candidate would like to teach.
  • Undergraduate liberal arts core including courses in humanities/arts, writing/communication, social sciences, STEM and one semester of foreign language. 
  • Educational Psychology (an undergraduate course, or independent study with Clarkson's CRC Department of Education exam). 

Coursework:

  • TE 501 CAS Residency (1)
  • TE 517 TESOL Teaching and Assessment Methods (3)
  • TE 530 English Grammar for the ENL Teacher (3)
  • TE 531 TESOL English Linguistics (3)
  • TE 542 TESOL Literacy (3)
  • ED 501 Practicum (1)
  • ED 502 NYS Requirements (0)
  • ED 503 Professionalism in Teaching I (1)
  • ED 504 Professionalism in Teaching II (1)
  • ED 513 Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Language (3)
  • ED 540 Psychology of Teaching (3)
  • ED 541 Essential Reading Literacy (3)
  • ED 550 Effective Teaching for All Learners (3)
  • ED 551 Secondary Residency I (4)
  • ED 552 Secondary Residency II (4)
  • ED 560 The Modern Teacher (3)
  • ED 572 Foreign Language in the Elementary School (3)
  • XX 530 Advanced World Language Grammar (3)
  • XX 580 Action Research Project (3)
  • XX 989 World Language Independent Study (3)

This degree program may be completed in two years, or over a longer period of time. Individualized course study plans will be created with students upon admission to the program. 

The Clarkson Teaching Residency
MAT graduate candidates complete a half-day, year-long residency in a secondary school, taking full responsibility for at least two classes. Students will be interviewed at the site(s) where they expect to complete their residency. Entrance into the teaching residency portion of the program is contingent upon completion of Psychology of Teaching and the appropriate Curriculum and Methods course with minimum grades of “B” and with permission of the Chair.

Teaching Careers

Outlook

New York may need to hire 180,000 new teachers by 2027, predicts former SUNY Chancellor Emeritus Nancy Zimpher. This looming teacher shortage is expected to impact urban and rural school districts, and foreign languages and STEM subjects the most. 

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Clarkson University Class of 2020 100 percent placement rating

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Career Preparation

Wondering how to choose a master's in teaching program? Download our guide to "Getting an Edge in the Secondary Education Market" to learn more about selecting a high-quality degree program. 

Download the Ebook

MAT E-book: Getting an Edge in the Secondary Education Market

A Note From Our Faculty

The cornerstone of Clarkson's Master of Arts in Teaching is the full-year teaching residency. Schools that hire our graduates consistently cite the unique and in-depth residency experience as the reason Clarkson rises to the top of the profession. The time has never been better to consider a career in teaching as the field is changing rapidly in creative and dynamic ways. And, jobs are plentiful. In fact, 100% of graduates from the Master of Arts in Teaching program have received job offers since 2016!

Catherine Snyder, Chair of Education

Catherine Snyder

Tuition and Scholarships

Tuition Rate Guarantee

In an effort to keep our educational costs affordable, we guarantee that tuition rates will remain consistent for students who remain in the same course of study and attend at least every fall and spring semester until they’ve completed their degree.

Grants and Scholarships

Clarkson and the government offer grants and scholarships to help you pay for school. There is even a specific grant for prospective teachers. Learn about our scholarships and grants.

Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute Grant Funded Program

Clarkson's TESOL programs are supported by the New York State Department of Education's Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute Grant. Qualified students may be eligible for tuition assistance. The unique program design allows students the flexibility to take courses online while receiving support through a full-year mentored residency. 

Admission

A complete application consists of the following:

  • Online Application Form
  • Resume.
  • Statement of Purpose.
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation.
  • Official Transcripts.
  • Faculty Interview.
  • For International Applicants, an English Proficiency Test is required.
    • Minimum Test Score Requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) and Duolingo English Test (115).

Prerequisites:

  • Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • The equivalent of an undergraduate major in the discipline the candidate would like to teach.
  • Undergraduate liberal arts core, including courses in humanities/arts, writing/communication, social sciences, and STEM.
  • Twelve credits of Foreign Language or American Sign Language coursework that can be in a variety of languages. Native Speakers of Languages other than English can test out of the 12 credits.
  • Educational psychology (an undergraduate course, or independent study with Clarkson’s CRC Department of Education exam. Must be completed prior to summer intensive; can be completed in fall or spring in the first year if students select the two year program).

Accreditation

The MAT program is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and is registered as an approved pathway for New York State Certification in Adolescent Education and ESOL Education.

Clarkson University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The following programs have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2026:

Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to continue to do so.

Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more, have questions or are ready to apply, contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions
graduate@clarkson.edu
518-631-9831