Department of
Educational Studies

Educational Studies

This department does not award an undergraduate degree in a major, but offers a minor in educational studies and supports the Master of Arts in Teaching Program.

Teacher Education - The St. Mary's Way

The faculty of St. Mary's College believes that offering a certification program through an accredited Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree will allow its students to take full advantage of the rich undergraduate curriculum available at our college – to spend a semester abroad, to complete a double major, to take elective courses in many diverse areas, to try interdisciplinary courses – and then to be able to synthesize that richly textured content background with graduate courses in education so they can better serve their future students.

"In fact, to every young person listening tonight who's contemplating their career choice:  If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child -- become a teacher.  Your country needs you."  (Applause.) - President Barack Obama in State of the Union Address - January 25th, 2011

For students who wish to pursue a career in K-12 education, a liberal arts curriculum offers a distinct pathway to this goal. In keeping with the tradition of the liberal arts experience, it is not possible for students to earn majors in this field of study, but rather achieve the status of a masterful teacher through a combination of pursuits. At St. Mary’s, this combination is represented by two distinct phases: earning a minor in Educational Studies at the undergraduate level and pursuing certification in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) graduate program. However, it is also important to note that the minor in Educational Studies is not exclusive to students who wish to matriculate into the St. Mary’s MAT program.