Do I qualify for the M.A.T. Program?

To find out if you qualify for the MAT program, submit your contact information to the Asst. Graduate Director, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Once your application has been submitted, an Enrollment Coach from Pearson will contact you and guide you through the application process.


What are the requirements for applying?

Applicants for admission to the M.A.T. in Spanish must: 

  • Complete the Rutgers Graduate School, New Brunswick application form and all other requirements to qualify for graduate admission.
  • Provide all official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate coursework from an accredited college or university.
  • A bachelor's degree in Spanish or at least 12 credits in upper-division courses (300 & 400 level) or graduate credits in the Spanish language, linguistics, literature, translation, culture or civilization.
  • Those students with an undergraduate degree from a non-English speaking university must submit the TOEFL or IELTS scores with their application. For further information, please visit the Rutgers Graduate School, New Brunswick website at http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/information/international-students.
  • Have attained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent.
  • Provide one of the following documentations: a valid license to teach Spanish, a valid provisional or temporary license for an applicant pursuing licensure or certification, or relevant work experience of at least 3 years.
  • Acquire three letters of recommendation from all applicants; two letters should be written by professors who can assess the student’s academic performance, and the student is required to submit a personal statement. The writing statement must be written in Spanish wherein the student addresses their intellectual goals and their reasons for pursuing the M.A.T. program.


How to apply for the M.A.T. Program?

The graduate application is available online at the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions website: http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu. Note: The M.A.T. Online is submitted for consideration to the Graduate School at Rutgers, New Brunswick (School 16), not the Graduate School of Education.

 What are the required courses and number of credits?

  • A total of thirty (30) credits
  • Nine (9) credits in core courses offered by the World Language Institute (program code 617):
    • Methods of Foreign Language Teaching (K-12)
    • Theories of Second Language Acquisition and Learning
    • Technology in the World Language Class (K-12)
    • Assessment in the World Language Class (K-12)
    • Teaching Techniques and Practices for the Improvement of Oral Proficiency
    • Language Across the Curriculum

  • Fifteen (15) credits in Spanish (program code 940):
    • Civilization
    • Culture
    • Language
    • Linguistics
    • Literature 
  • Three credits (3) with the approval of the Graduate Director in an elective in another core course or Spanish course, or one taught in a different program at Rutgers.
  • Three (3) credits of Independent Study (617:599) - Teaching Portfolio.


What about Transfer credits?

Does the MAT program accept transfer credits?
Credits earned at other institutions may not be transferred until the student has validated their graduate coursework as a matriculated student at the Graduate School, New Brunswick by earning at least 12 credits with a grade of B or better.

How to transfer credits?
The Transfer of Credits Evaluation form may be downloaded from Sakai or you may email Florencia Cerchiara, the Graduate Program Administrator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Students must complete all forms and sent them to the Graduate Secretary. The Graduate Director and ultimately the Dean of the Graduate School make the final decision in transferring credits.

How many graduate credits are required to complete the M.A.T. program?
A total of thirty credits are needed to complete the M.A.T. program.

  • 27 credits of coursework
  • 3 credits dedicated to the development of an individual teaching portfolio. The portfolio is based upon course work and work experiences.

*Note: Students must have taken at least 15 credits (e.g., five 3-credit courses) in Spanish. Courses must have been taught in Spanish and under the school code of 940. This rule also applies to those wishing to transfer courses.


Is there an advisor I can talk to about the M.A.T. program?

Professor Tom Stephens, Academic Advisor
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Professor Nuria Sagarra, Graduate Director
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Florencia Cerchiara, Graduate Program Administrator
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.


Registration and Courses

Can I register for graduate courses in other departments or programs at Rutgers?
Yes, a student is eligible to take three elective credits with the approval of the Graduate Director. New Brunswick: Core courses taught through the Institute for Global Languages (formerly WLI) are not considered a separate program.

Can I take graduate courses without enrolling in the M.A.T. program?
Yes. A student is eligible to take M.A.T. courses through the Institute for Global Languages. For more information, please visit the IGL website at http://tlc.rutgers.edu/.

Where can I find information regarding available teaching positions?
You can find information about available teaching positions through the M.A.T. Student Listserv

What is the difference between the M.A.T. program and the M.Ed. program?
In contrast to the Masters in Education program, the M.A.T. program in Spanish does not guarantee a teaching certificate in the State of New Jersey.


Application Deadlines and Aid

The M.A.T. program operates on a modified rolling admission. The deadlines for admission are:

Fall admission  August 15th 
Spring admission December 1st
Summer admission April 15th

 

Is financial assistance available?
Yes, financial aid is available to assist students who qualify in meeting the costs of education. For more information on financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 848-932-7057.


Study Abroad

Is study abroad an option? Will those credits apply towards the M.A.T. Online program?
Yes, students are encouraged to study abroad, but are not required to participate.   For more information about Rutgers Study abroad, please visit their website at: global.rutgers.edu/study-abroad

Study abroad graduate credits can be earned with the approval of the Graduate Director. However, if the credit value has been earned at another institution, the maximum of 12 graduate credits may be transferred and applied to the M.A.T. program with the approval of the Graduate Director.

Please visit our Summer Study in Spain website to see which courses are available.