Graduate Admissions

The joint MA/MAT program is intended for students who wish to have the benefits of additional graduate study in English through the MA program and who also want to earn a New York State teaching credential (grades 7-12, English) through the MAT program.

Who is Eligible?

Students who are accepted into the MA (English) or the MAT (English Education) may apply for admission to the Joint Program after they have satisfactorily completed at least 6 graduate credits in English with a GPA of at least 3.0.

Students who have already completed the MAT or MA in English may apply for the additional degree that the Joint MA/MAT Program affords them. Their matriculation into the Joint Program must be within five years of the matriculation date for their first degree, and they must complete the Joint Degree Program within seven years of the matriculation date for their first degree.

Joint Degree Process

• After completing 6 graduate credits in English, students meet with the graduate advisor in the department from which they wish to add the degree to discuss their intentions
• Students then will be advised to write an application essay in which they explicate their reasons for wanting the additional degree
• Students then submit an additional letter of recommendation supporting them in this endeavor (if they are going the MAT + MA route, they would need a letter from an English professor; if they are going the MA + MAT route, they would need a letter from someone who can speak to their talents for working with young people )
• Students send this application to the Graduate Office in Haggerty Administration Building. The Graduate Office will direct the application to both departments for approval.

Transfer Credits

Students who are enrolled in or have completed the MA in English will be permitted to transfer 15 graduate credits in English into the MAT upon admission to the second degree program. Students who are enrolled in or have completed the MAT in English will be permitted to transfer 15 graduate credits in English into the MA upon admission to the second degree program.

This transfer policy is available only to students who are enrolled in or have completed the first graduate degree program at SUNY New Paltz, and the credits must be transferred within five years of matriculation in the first degree program. No more than six credits of graduate work at another institution may be transferred into either the SUNY New Paltz MA or MAT program.

Degree Program Time Limit and Contact Information

Students have seven years to complete both degrees. Exceptions to this rule will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For more information contact:

Dr. Michelle Woods, Associate Professor of English and Director of Graduate Studies (w[email protected]) or (845) 257-2753.

Dr. Meg Davis Roberts, Assistant Professor, English, Coordinator, Adolescence English EducationCo-director, Hudson Valley Writing Project ([email protected]) or (845) 257-2856.

Alana Matuszewski, Director of Graduate Admissions, ([email protected]) or (845) 257-3285.