Become a certified teacher in as little as one year with Siena’s MAT program—combining expert-led coursework and unmatched hands-on experience to launch your career.
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 38-credit program
Fall, Spring, Summer
Become a Teacher Who Makes a Difference
Ready to step into a classroom and inspire the next generation? Siena's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program equips you with the skills and confidence to start your teaching career in just one year. You'll earn your New York State teaching certification and master’s degree while gaining hands-on experience through a unique, year-long internship.
Why Choose Siena’s MAT Program?
Proven Career Outcomes
Our graduates have a 100% job placement rate, with many securing roles in top school districts. With the demand for qualified teachers at an all-time high, you’ll be entering a job market eager for your talent. You can also expect to negotiate a competitive salary with the experience and credentials gained in our program.
A One-of-a-Kind Teaching Experience
Unlike most teaching programs, Siena offers a year-long, mentored teaching internship that places you side-by-side with an experienced educator in your field. You’ll take full responsibility for at least two classes, learning firsthand how to manage a classroom, create lesson plans, and adapt to real-world teaching situations. This experience sets you apart, giving you confidence as you start your career.
Flexible Program Options
Your life is busy, and we get that. Choose the program structure that works for you: complete the degree in one, two, or even three years, with start dates available in the fall, spring, and summer. Whether you want to accelerate your path to the classroom or balance coursework with other commitments, we’ve got you covered.
Learn from Experienced Educators
At Siena, you’re not just learning about teaching—you’re learning from teachers who have been where you are. Our faculty members have years of secondary classroom experience, offering mentorship and insights that go beyond textbooks. They’re here to guide you every step of the way, making sure you’re prepared for every challenge you’ll face as a teacher.
Affordable and Accessible
We believe in making quality education accessible. With competitive tuition rates and potential eligibility for transfer credits or course waivers, you can reduce costs significantly. Plus, through the New York State Department of Labor's $30,000 Teacher Residency Program grant, you may be eligible for substantial financial support. Flexible payment plans and federal or private loans are also available.
Join a Network of Successful Alumni
Our alumni work in top school districts, and they’re eager to help you succeed. When you graduate, you’ll become part of a powerful network of educators who are ready to support your career growth. Imagine the impact you can make with connections to professionals in districts like Albany CSD, Schenectady CSD, Shenendehowa CSD, and more.
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Pathways and Extensions
Adolescent Education (Grades 7-12): Specialize in Biology, Business and Marketing (K-12), Chemistry, Earth Science, Physics, Computer Science (K-12), Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Technology (K-12), French, German, Greek, Latin, Russian, or Spanish.
Advanced Certificates: Earn certifications in Curriculum & Instruction or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Extension Programs: Expand your expertise with options like the Middle Childhood Extension, Bilingual Education or Work-Based Learning Programs Extension.
$30,000 Stipend Opportunity
Siena works with eight Capital Region school districts and the New York State Department of Labor to support $1.38 billion in stipends for graduate students pursuing a master's degree in teaching. Eligible candidates complete a full-year teaching residency in a designated school district and earn a $30,000 stipend. Once admitted to Siena's program, students interview with the districts for one of these competitive spots. For more information, please reach out to Doreen Morris, Assistant Director of Graduate Programs, at dmorris@siena.edu.
What you'll learn
Curriculum and Teaching Methods: Learn how to create engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles.
Effective Teaching for All Learners: Discover strategies for reaching every student.
Reading Literacy: Develop skills to improve student reading abilities.
The Psychology of Teaching: Understand how students think and learn.
Content Specialization: Choose electives that match your teaching interests, such as biology, business, chemistry, computer science, English, mathematics, and more.
Application Requirements
Brief personal essay indicating the reason you are pursuing your chosen graduate program and your intended long-term goals (submitted online with your application). Need some tips?
Include employment history, certificate or licenses held, volunteer/extracurricular activities, leadership roles, honors/awards and education history (submitted online with your application).
Two Letters of Recommendation are required. Must be submitted by a faculty member at your bachelor’s degree granting institution, supervising teacher, or professional reference if you have been out of school for some time. (Recommenders are required to submit recommendations online - instructions included within the application.)
Official Transcripts are required from all post-secondary institutions which you have earned college credit. Unofficial copies may be uploaded for the purpose of application review, but official copies are required prior to enrollment.
Also, if you earned your undergraduate degree outside of the United States, an evaluated transcript is required by a recognized member of The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.) Our preferred evaluators are World Education Services, Inc. or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Transcripts and evaluations should be emailed directly to our registrar at transcriptreceiving@siena.edu or mailed to the address below:
Siena University Registrar's Office 515 Loudon Road Loudonville, NY 12211
Official TOEFL, IELTS or DUOLINGO Test Scores are required from international students whose native language is not English. All English examination scores are considered valid up to two years after the testing date. Certificates of Instruction may be considered if English was the medium of instruction for undergraduate studies.
