Student Profile
"Students from this program gain solid and practical teaching credentials but also are exposed to an enlightened way of thinking about education and students."
-- Cara HysonAll Profiles
Bard, A Place to Think - Master of Arts in Teaching
FAQ
Admissions
- Is it possible to enroll as a part time student?
A two-year Part-time program is offered at our Hudson Valley, NY campus location only. Part-time study is not offered at the other campus locations at this time.
Is it possible to enroll as a part time student?
- Should I still apply even if I do not have all prerequisites?
We encourage all interested students to submit a transcript for review (unofficial is fine) to mat@bard.edu. One of our admission representatives will review transcripts and get back to the prospective student quickly regarding his or her qualifications for the Program.
Should I still apply even if I do not have all prerequisites?
- What undergraduate background do I need to be considered for acceptance to this program?
Most of our accepted students either majored or have the equivalent of a major in the area they are applying in. However, we recommend that all potential applications submit an unofficial transcript for review before officially applying to the program. Transcripts can be submitted to mat@bard.edu.
What undergraduate background do I need to be considered for acceptance to this program?
- Are GRE's required?
The Bard MAT Program does not require GRE's.
Are GRE's required?
- Do I have to have had any formal teaching experience to be accepted to this program?
You do not need to have any formal teaching experience to be accepted into the Program. But some experience working with young people is ideal.
Do I have to have had any formal teaching experience to be accepted to this program?
- What are the age ranges of your applicants and accepted students?
Our applicants range in age from recent college graduates to career changers in their 40s and 50s, and 60's.
What are the age ranges of your applicants and accepted students?
About the Program
- How many students are enrolled in the program in a given year?
One of our goals at the Bard MAT Program is small class size. We will never have more than 16 students per discipline, per campus location, in any given year.
How many students are enrolled in the program in a given year?
- What areas of certification do you offer?
We currently offer certification in Biology, English, History, Mathematics and Music for grades 7-12.
What areas of certification do you offer?
- Do you plan to offer other areas of certification in the future?
We do plan to add other areas of certification in the future including other sciences, art, foreign languages and ESL. An exact time-line for these additions has not been set.
Do you plan to offer other areas of certification in the future?
- Do I choose my school placement for my student teaching or does the Bard MAT place me?
The Bard MAT Program has close partnerships with schools in the Hudson Valley, Bronx, NY and California. Through these partnerships, the MAT Program matches its students with appropriate mentors in both middle schools and high schools for all of the year's student teaching placements.
Do I choose my school placement for my student teaching or does the Bard MAT place me?
- Is it possible to work while doing this program?
It is not possible to work a ful-time job if one is enrolled in the one-year Program. Part-time work is possible for at least the first 1/2 of the Program.
Is it possible to work while doing this program?
For people who wish to work full-time while attending the program, the two year option (offered at our Hudson Valley, NY campus) is the best option. - Do I need a vehicle?
A car at both our Hudson Valley, NY campus and our rural CA campus is highly recommended as both of these locations are rural in nature and a car is required to get to school placements. NYC-bound students do not need a car as they can rely on public transportation.
Do I need a vehicle?
- Is there graduate housing on campus?
On- campus dorm housing is available to students in the New York programs for the summer only (June, July and August. On-campus housing for the full year is not guarunteed. Students must apply directly to the Office of Residence Life for full-year housing and will know by July 1 if a room has been secured for them.
Is there graduate housing on campus?
Housing is not provided at our New York City or CA campuses. Students must provide their own housing with help from the Programs.
Tuition/Financial Aid/Scholarships/Grants
- What is a Petrie Fellow?
The Petrie Fellowship Program at Bard College was established in August 2004 through a generous grant from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation. Full tuition grants are made by the MAT Program to qualified students through a selection process that considers academic competence, teaching and leadership potential, financial need, and a commitment to working as an educator in the New York City public schools. The expectations for Petrie Fellows include a commitment to teaching in the public schools of New York City for at least five years. The Petrie Fellowship represents a call for educational leaders who can address the needs of students in urban schools not only through their work as exemplary teachers in the classroom but also through professional relationships within the larger educational community.
What is a Petrie Fellow?
- Does Bard award grant money in addition to loans and scholarships?
Yes! The Bard MAT program allocates a certain amount of grant money (does not have to be repaid) each year for students who request financial assistance.
Does Bard award grant money in addition to loans and scholarships?
- What are the other fees, aside from tuition, associated with the program?
There are additional fees associated with the program and certification. Please see program admission supplements for information on these requirements and fees.
What are the other fees, aside from tuition, associated with the program?
Certification and Credentialling
- What other requirements are there to become a certified teacher?
New York State and California have additional requirements that must be fulfilled before a person can be certified. These vary by state. Please see the respective NY and CA catalogue supplements for more information on additional state requirements for certification.
What other requirements are there to become a certified teacher?
- Is New York State certification and California Credentialling transferable to other states?
Yes. New York State and California have interstate agreements with 44 other states and jurisdictions. Bard College is included as one of the teacher preparatory programs acceptable for the purposes of interstate recognition. Go to www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/teachrecother.htm for more information.
Is New York State certification and California Credentialling transferable to other states?
- How does one go about obtaining dual certification?
Dual certification can be obtained through the New York State Education Department. Once you have been certified in one of the subject areas by the MAT, you send your undergraduate transcripts up to NYSED for review for certification in another area. More information can be found at www.highered.nysed.gov.
How does one go about obtaining dual certification?
- How soon after completion of this program will I be certified?
Once you have completed the MAT you are automatically awarded an MAT degree in your subject area. The MAT immediately applies for certification on your behalf. As long as you have completed the other state requirements for certification and have paid your certification processing fee, you should be officially certified in a couple of weeks. Please note that New York State, specifically, only issues certifications twice a year- in September and February.
How soon after completion of this program will I be certified?
- Where can I find information on the additional requirements for certification including exam schedules and study guides?
Additional certification requirements for New York State certification can be found on the MAT website at www.bard.edu/mat or at www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/
Where can I find information on the additional requirements for certification including exam schedules and study guides?
Graduation and Beyond
- Upon completion of the Program, how do I obtain an official copy of my graduate transcript?
Unofficial Transcripts and copies of official transcripts can be obtained through the MAT Program Offices (mat@bard.edu). Official transcripts can only be obtained via request to the Bard College Registrar's Office at 845-758-7458.
Upon completion of the Program, how do I obtain an official copy of my graduate transcript?
- When I am applying for teaching jobs, who should I contact to have my placement file sent?
Placement files are sent to schools by the MAT program offices following a direct request from the student. Please allow 5 business days for delivery.
When I am applying for teaching jobs, who should I contact to have my placement file sent?
- Where are MAT graduates teaching?
MAT graduates are teaching in public and private schools all over the country. We have graduates teaching all across New York and in New York City as well as California, Massachusetts, Vermont and Utah, to name a few.
Where are MAT graduates teaching?
- Is there a network of alumni that is accessible?
Yes! We have a teaching network for alumni/ae, faculty and mentor teachers.
Is there a network of alumni that is accessible?
- How successful are your graduates in finding teaching jobs?
The Bard College MAT has a growing reputation across the country and our graduates are regarded very highly by the schools they apply to. We encourage and help our graduates to apply to schools in February and March and most have landed jobs before the completion of the Program.
How successful are your graduates in finding teaching jobs?
- What kind of help does the MAT provide to its students in their job search?
The MAT Provides support to all students on writing cover letters and resumes, practice interviews, sample lessons, placement files, etc.
What kind of help does the MAT provide to its students in their job search?
- What is the starting salary range for teachers in New York State? In New York City?
Starting salaries for both New York State and New York City teachers vary depending on the school district. You can find information on starting salaries for schools in New York State and New York City as well as other schools across the country at: www.myshortpencil.com/newyorkteachersalaries.htm.
What is the starting salary range for teachers in New York State? In New York City?
The Master of Arts in Teaching Program, Bard College, 7401 South Broadway, Red Hook, NY 12571