Master of Arts in Teaching - M.A.T.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree program prepares graduates to apply for certification in the areas of elementary education/elementary special education, business education/secondary special education, or culinary arts education. All programs offer a student teaching experience(s) in K–12 schools to complete the M.A.T. program; the culinary arts education concentration also offers the choice of completion of a capstone project that includes teaching at the college level.

Students attend two or three classes most terms, for two or three nights a week depending upon the area of concentration.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:

• Communicate effectively through a variety of formats such as technology, discussion, writing and reflective listening.
• Respond to students’ developmental and social contexts and provide access to high quality teaching and learning.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of content in designing learning opportunities.
• Use research, assessment and contextual data to inform practice.
• Work within a professional learning community to support the improvement of teaching, learning, student achievement and pursue professional growth.
• Prepare and deliver lesson plans and curricular units using best practices and research based instructional strategies.

In keeping with Johnson & Wales’ core value of experience-based learning, the M.A.T. program requires field-based experiences throughout the program to enhance student learning. Candidates apply research-based theories and best practices learned in university courses when they spend time in K–12 or university culinary classrooms each week. Teacher candidates observe, tutor and plan lessons for small-group and whole-class instruction and reflect on their practice in light of 4 domains of professional teaching: 1) planning and preparation, 2) learning environment, 3) learning experiences and 4) principled teaching. This professionally focused experience, under the guidance of experienced teachers, enables candidates to develop their skills and knowledge so that they are ready to teach as soon as they secure their first teaching position.

Assessment Prior to Student Teaching

Student teaching usually occurs during the candidate’s final term(s). Permission to student teach is granted to candidates who have

• achieved a program GPA of 3.0 or better;
• passed the appropriate content exam for the concentration areas;
• provided evidence of significant progress toward meeting the Rhode Island Professional Teacher Standards (RIPTS) and all other designated standards related to their concentration; and
• passed a video assessment of readiness for student teaching and an assessment of technology use to support teaching and learning.

Assessment Prior to Recommendation for Program Completion

Teacher candidates must satisfactorily pass several transition points throughout the program. Having completed student teaching and all transition points, teacher candidates present their final portfolio and assessment data to a team of evaluators. In addition, candidates for licensure must have passed all tests required by RIDE for licensure in the areas sought. Following the candidate’s presentation, the director of the Teacher Education Program shall make the appropriate recommendation regarding the awarding of the M.A.T. degree and state licensure.*

*It is important to note that, while Johnson & Wales awards the M.A.T. degree, it is the Rhode Island Department of Education that makes the final decision regarding the granting of licensure.

Teacher Education - Elementary/Elementary Special Education, Business/Secondary Special Education and Culinary Arts Education Concentrations

Master of Arts in Teaching 

Please see a campus catalog for Admissions Requirements for this program.