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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog [Draft] 
    
2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog [Draft] [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Dual Degree: Earth Science (Grades 7-12) and Students With Disabilities, B.A./M.A.T.


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Marist University  offers a state-approved Dual Degree BA - BS/MAT (bachelor and masters degrees) program leading to initial teacher certification in Adolescence Education: Earth Science (Grades 7-12) and Students with Disabilities (Grades PK-12). Candidates seeking this certification are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor and the MAT Program Director in the Teacher Education Department. Because of the significant number of state certification requirements for this program, it is important that candidates seek such advisement early in their college careers, during their first year if possible. Education and related field requirements for Adolescence Education certification can be found on Psychology/Childhood Education 1-6, Special Education Certification, B.S.  

Dual Degree B.A. - B.S./M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching) Program for Dual Certification in Adolescence Education (Grades 7-12)


For highly motivated future teachers, this program leads to dual New York State Initial Teaching Certification in an Adolescence Education content field (Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Mathematics, History, or Spanish) (Grades 7-12)along with Students with Disabilities (Grades PK-12). Candidates achieve their bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in their content field and become eligible for teaching certification by completing pedagogical coursework and student teaching at the Masters’ level.

Candidates begin their 36 credit M.A.T. (Master of Arts in Teaching) program during their undergraduate senior year by taking 12 credits. The remaining 24 credits of the Master’s program are taken in the following sequence: 6 credits of graduate work through a hybrid delivery system in the summer following undergraduate graduation, 12 credits in an on-ground setting for the fall semester, and 6 credits of full-time student teaching the following spring. A candidate’s undergraduate performance is formally reviewed for the M.A.T. program in spring of their junior year.

The Dual Degree B.A. - B.S./ M.A.T. program is a cohort-based program and is structured for candidates who graduate with their B.A. or B. S. degree in spring.

The Teacher Education Department at Marist University is accredited and registered in New York State as an approved teacher preparation program.

ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM

Those seeking Adolescence Education teaching certification in an academic major content field are assigned an education advisor as well as a content faculty advisor. The candidate is to meet with both advisors to design their program of study and ensure that they will meet the requirements for Formal Review of Progress in their junior year, based on the following minimum guidelines:

  • Complete an application form
  • Have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA for undergraduate studies prior to taking the M.A.T. courses
  • Successful demonstrate positive dispositions for teaching in both classroom as well as fieldwork contexts

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

A candidate must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. If at any time the candidate’s GPA falls below 3.0, the candidate will be notified of his/her being subject to academic review. Academic review will result in assignment of probationary status or dismissal. A candidate on probation is expected to take immediate steps to raise their GPA. This can be done by (1) earning enough grades of B+ or A, or (2) retaking the course(s) in which low grades were earned and achieving a B or better. NOTE: while a grade of B in any subsequent course may raise a GPA that is below 3.0, it may not by itself be sufficient to raise the GPA to 3.0 or above. A candidate is allowed up to 12 credit hours of work to raise his or her GPA above 3.0 after being placed on probation. If after attempting 12 credit hours the GPA has not been raised to 3.0, the candidate will be dismissed from the program.

In addition, if a candidate earns any grades below B- in the Master of Arts in Teaching program, they will be subject to review by the teacher education faculty and placed on academic probation or dismissed from the program. One grade of C+ will be accepted by the program, on probationary status. If the candidate earns a second grade below B-, they will be permitted to re-take the course one time. Candidates who do not re-take the designated course or who do not achieve a grade of B- or better in the course are subject to dismissal from the program. Candidates who earn a third grade below B- will be dismissed from the program.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate appropriate professional dispositions in coursework and fieldwork throughout their program as follows:

  • Responsibility
  • Integrity
  • Enthusiasm
  • Communication
  • Reflection

Any behaviors that are in obvious deviation from the teacher candidate dispositions stated above may result in assignment of probationary status or dismissal. Any candidate who does not demonstrate the dispositions necessary to assume the responsibilities of a classroom teacher will be subject to review by the teacher education faculty and may be placed on probation or dismissed from the program. The candidate will be informed of any decision or recommendation by the teacher education faculty.

NEW YORK STATE CERTIFICATION

A candidate must successfully complete the Dual Degree B.A. - B.S./M.A.T. program in order to be eligible for initial teaching certification in both their content field (Grades 7-12) and in Students with Disabilities (Grades PK-12). In addition to successfully completing the B.A. - B.S./M.A.T. academic program, the candidate must also pass required New York State assessments and mandated workshops (Dignity for All Students Act, Violence Prevention, Child Abuse, Autism).

CERTIFICATION DISCLOSURE

Marist’s graduate education programs are designed to prepare candidates for certification in New York State and are aligned with the certification requirements in the state of New York. Marist University cannot guarantee that these programs will meet the requirements for initial or professional certification in any other state. It is the candidate’s responsibility to research and determine the certification requirements in any other state in which they plan to apply for initial or professional teaching certification. It is also the candidate’s responsibility to determine if the Marist University graduate education programs meet the requirements for certification in states other than New York.

ACCREDITATION

The Education Department at Marist University is accredited and registered in New York State as an approved provider of teacher preparation programs. Marist University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality and Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The program listed has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through December 31, 2030.

 

 

Requirements for a Dual Degree B.A. /M.A.T. in Earth Science with Adolescence Education


NYS Content Area Requirements: 6 cr


 

  • English language Arts Requirements 3 Credit(s)
  • Mathematics Requirement 0 Credit(s)  (fulfilled by major field req.)
  • Social Studies Requirement 3 Credit(s)
  • Natural Science Requirement 0 Credit(s)  (fulfilled by major field req.)

 

Total Credit Requirement for a Major in Earth Science with Adolescence Education: 82 cr


Core/Liberal Studies Requirements


Distribution: 15 cr


  • 3 Credit(s)
  • Ethics, Applied Ethics, Religious Studies  3 Credit(s)
  • Fine Arts  3 Credit(s) 
  • History  3 Credit(s)
  • Literature 3 Credit(s)
  • Mathematics  0 Credit(s) (fulfilled by major field req.)
  • Natural Science  0 Credit(s) (fulfilled by major field req.)
  • Social Science   0 Credit(s) (fulfilled by major field req.)
  •  

Pathway: 12 cr


Breadth and Pathway courses may overlap, but all students must take a total of 36 distribution credits (including related field requirements). Students majoring in Breadth
areas may apply a maximum of 6 credits to their distribution total. If applicable to a Pathway, 3 credits may come from disciplines outside of Core Breadth areas. Although
foreign language and culture courses are not required within the Core, some courses in these fields may be used to fulfill distribution requirements. See the Core/LS Program
website for a detailed list of all courses that satisfy distribution requirements.

  • Courses addressing an interdisciplinary topic.

Total Core/Liberal Studies Requirements: 34 cr


Electives: 4 cr


Total Requirement for Graduation: 120 cr


Required Graduate Courses: 36 cr


  • MATA 508N  Methods Secondary Education  3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 510L Curriculum Strategies for Students with Special Needs  3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 565L Data Based Decision Making for Curriculum and Instruction  3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 605N Educational Assessment and Evaluation 3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 606N Methods for Inclusive Secondary Ed II 3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 610N Transitions and Community-Based Learning 3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 630L Literacy for Inclusive Secondary Education 3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 631N Literacy in Content Areas 3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 640N Learning Environments to Support Students’ Social and Emotional Needs 3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 660N Research: Theory and Application 3 Credit(s)
  • MATA 680N Student Teaching Practicum 6 Credit(s)

Total Requirement for the Dual Degree B.A. / M.A.T.: 156 cr


Recommended Sequence for Dual Degree B.A. / M.A.T. Adolescence Education: Earth Science (Grades 7-12) and Students With Disabilities


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