Combined Degree Programs in the Master of Arts in Teaching

Enrollment in a combined program allows students to work on the Master of Arts in Teaching while completing the bachelor’s degree.  Up to 12 credits of designated master’s courses are incorporated into the bachelor’s degree program and will count toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degree. 

Program Requirements

The combined program requires 154 credits total, of which 42 are master’s credits leading to the MAT. Students must meet all college, AOS and relevant concentration guidelines as well as the content and liberal arts and sciences general education requirements (different than and in addition to the SUNY General Education Requirement) within the undergraduate credits as follows: 

  • Successful completion of 30 credits in the designated content area (ex., ELA or Spanish)
  • Successful completion of 30 credits in liberal arts and sciences general education

With 60 credits in requirements, the program requires careful planning that should begin in the first term of student’s undergraduate career at Empire State College. Advising templates can be found at the following link: Certification Areas. The teaching content area and the state’s requirements for general education must be incorporated into the undergraduate degree program based on the certification area that the student intends to seek. The student and the primary mentor should consult with the Office of Teacher Education in planning an undergraduate degree program so that these requirements are met in undergraduate study and that the 12 credits of master’s courses from MAT program are also included in the degree plan. Students must meet the graduate requirements for academic progress and minimum grade point average in their master’s level courses to remain in the combined program. 

Combined Program Admission

Admission into the combined program is highly selective. Matriculated undergraduate students may apply to the combined program and will complete all of the application requirements. The admission application process includes a review and recalculation of the most recent 60 credits earned (minimum GPA of 3.2), and two recommendations (one must be from his/her SUNY Empire State College undergraduate primary mentor). A concurred degree plan is not required to apply for the combined program.


Combined Program Courses

  • Middle Childhood and Adolescent Development, 3cr
  • US Schools in Social Context, 3cr
  • Teaching and Learning, 3cr
  • Exceptionalities: Individualizing Learning, 3cr

Advising Templates

Certification Areas