Master of Arts in Teaching

Applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences should submit either an electronic application (preferred method) or a paper application [download PDF]. An application fee of $55 is required of all applicants. Electronic applications require payment with a credit card; paper applications require a check or money order.

Applications to the MAT program are due by Jan. 15; after that date they are considered as received, until the cohort is full. Expedited review may be possible. E-mail MAT@brandeis.edu for details. State the concentration in which you are interested:

  • Elementary, Public
  • Elementary, DeLeT/Jewish day schools
  • Secondary (English, science, history or Bible/Jewish day schools)
Statement of Purpose

Public elementary and secondary

In an essay of three to five pages, discuss your reasons for undertaking graduate study in education at this time. Explain one or two of your core reasons for going into teaching. Please be sure to specify the concentration to which you are applying and discuss your reasons for the selection. Describe your relevant experience and other qualifications.

DeLeT (Jewish day schools, elementary)

Click here for instructions.

Three Letters of Recommendation
  • One letter should address your academic/intellectual qualifications.
  • One letter should address your experience and/or potential for work with children or youth.
  • There are no specific requirements for the third letter, but applicants with substantial work/professional experience should consider a letter from an employer.
The members of the admissions committee prefer to receive electronically letters written in support of your application for admission. Please include the complete contact information, including e-mail address, for your referees in your application. We will then contact the referees directly with the electronic link for submission of their letter.

We will continue to accept hard-copy letters of recommendation [download PDF] from those referees who prefer this method.

Transcripts

Applicants must provide a final transcript indicating successful completion of an undergraduate degree program before registration.

Please note:

  • Applicants to the elementary program are expected to show sufficient knowledge to be qualified to teach the core elementary school subjects of mathematics, English language arts, science and the social sciences, including American history. DeLeT candidates should also show basic knowledge of Hebrew.
  • Applicants to the secondary program are expected to possess a major or equivalent in the subject they wish to teach.
  • Applicants who wish professional experience to be taken into account for purposes of review of academic qualifications should submit an additional statement of explanation. Suitable documentation may be required.

For further information, see the MAT Web site or e-mail MAT@brandeis.edu.

Curriculum Vitae / Resumé

List all colleges and universities attended, major extracurricular activities and employment, detailing particularly those relevant to your proposed field of study; any honors or prizes awarded; and publications and research projects with which you have been associated.

Graduate Record Examinations General Test

The ETS code for the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences is 3092. For more information about the GRE, visit www.ets.org/gre.

Non-native Speakers of English

All applicants whose native language is not English must prove competency in spoken and written English. The most common method of proving competency is via the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), although results of the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) will also be accepted. Applicants who attended school where the primary method of instruction is in English do not need to prove competency.

The minimum acceptable TOEFL score for applicants to all programs is 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (Internet-based test). The ETS code for the TOEFL is 3261. For more information about the TOEFL, visit www.ets.org/toefl.

The minimum acceptable IELTS score for applicants to all programs is 7. For more information about the IELTS, visit www.ielts.org.

Although we prefer that all required supporting credentials be received in one package, we will certainly accept credentials mailed separately. Please send all credentials to:

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
MS 031 Brandeis University
PO Box 9110
Waltham, MA 02454-9110