Purpose
The Masters in the Art of Teaching (M.A.T.) in German is designed for those already teaching German or working toward certification. Undergraduates majoring in German (or Education) and intending to teach German may wish to augment the BA with this degree. A candidate is admitted on the basis of prior academic or professional performance. The GRE is not required for admission. The course requirements of this program may be satisfied by coursework taken during the regular academic year, during the summer session, and abroad. Each student is strongly encouraged to participate in a certified graduate Study Abroad program (i.e., one approved by the Graduate Director) during the course of study; theses course credits will be applied to the total of thirty required credits. Students wishing to take courses toward the M.A.T. degree during the regular academic year may do so with the advice and permission of the Graduate Director. Please note that the M.A.T. degree does not lead directly to teacher certification. However, credits earned toward the M.A.T. may apply toward certification requirements.
Learning Goals
In December 2011, the Graduate Program in German adopted a new Learning Goals and Assesment program. Please pdf click here to read the document.
Admission Criteria
The M.A.T. is intended to provide not only advanced language-specific training, but also broad intellectual resources to those involved in the teaching of German culture. Accordingly, some coursework will expressly not include segments on pedagogical applications. Students are welcome to enroll in up to three German Studies courses outside the department's normal offerings. Eligible courses, which must be pre-approved by the Graduate Director, include, for example, 19th and 20th Century German History, History of German Art, Politics of Modern Germany, etc. Courses with a "substantial German cultural content," as determined by the Graduate Director, and based on a review of the respective course syllabus, will be considered under this rubric.
Scope
The M.A.T. in German is considered to be a terminal degree, in that it does not automatically lead to a consideration for the Ph.D. Any student who wishes to seek admission to the Ph.D. program in culture after having completed the M.A.T., or one who wishes to switch programs before completing the M.A.T., must apply to the appropriate program through the normal application process.
Degree Requirements
The needs and background of the student will frame the individualized plan of study for the M.A.T. A candidate is expected to complete a total of thirty credits - twenty-seven credits of regular course work and the three remaining credits dedicated to the development of an individual teaching portfolio based upon course work. No written comprehension examination will be required. Instead, the teaching portfolio will be used to assess the student's comprehensive grasp of the program's goals. With the approval of the Graduate Program Director, students may opt to complete an additional 3-credit graduate course in lieu of the teaching portfolio. The School of Graduate Studies' writing requirement will be met by means of at least one substantial term paper, a copy of which must be provided to, and approved by, the Graduate Director. At the department's discretion, students may be required to take extra language courses in order to attain the necessary level of fluency.
Teaching Portfolio
Each student will prepare and present a teaching portfolio, a three-credit individual project, in the academic year following the completion of the twenty-seven credits of course work. This teaching portfolio, which will reflect the student's course work, will be a compendium of documents, lesson plans, and teaching materials pertinent to the work situation (teaching level, class focus, particular school system, etc.) of each candidate.
The Graduate Director, in consultation with the student, will form an advisory committee to mentor the student and foster the completion of the teaching portfolio. Each committee will consist of at least three members or associate members of the department's graduate faculty, or of at least two from within the department and one non-program member, according to the standards of the School of Graduate Studies. The student will make a formal presentation of the work submitted for this degree requirement only after the advisory committee has approved the teaching portfolio.
Course Distribution (Total of 30 credits)
- 6 credits in methodology or praxis of teaching (minimum of 3 credits within the department; 3 credits may be taken through the Rutgers World Language Institute).
- 6 credits in culture/civilization, including German film.
- 6 credits in German literature/teaching of German literature.
- 6 credits in German Studies (extra-departmental).
- 3 credits in an elective (departmental).
- 3 credits in Teaching Portfolio.
- In some cases, an Independent Study may be possible.
Transfer of Credits
The Graduate Director may accept a maximum of twelve credits from another institution toward the fulfillment of degree requirements only after the student has completed twelve credits at Rutgers.
Princeton-Rutgers Exchange
Princeton and Rutgers have been operating an informal exchange program since 1964, whereby a student at one university may take graduate courses at the other. For more information, inquire in the main office, call (848) 932-7781, or email the Program Coordinator, Elizabeth deWolfe, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
