Meeting of the Board of Regents | November 2008

SUMMARY

Issue for Decision (Consent Agenda)

Should the Board of Regents authorize the City University of New York (CUNY), Brooklyn College of New York to award the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree to students successfully completing registered programs?

Reason(s) for Consideration

Required by State statute

Proposed Handling

The question will come before the Higher Education Committee at its November 2008 meeting where it will be voted on and action taken.  It will then come before the full Board at its November 2008 meeting for final action.

Procedural History

On April 28, 2008, The City University of New York Board of Trustees adopted the following resolution:

Resolved that the Board of Trustees approves the Brooklyn College proposal to establish a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program in Adolescence Science Education (7-12).

              On June 4, 2008, the Department received CUNY’s request, together with the proposal to register a Master of Arts in Teaching program in Adolescence Science Education (7-12).

Background Information

Paragraph (8) of Section 6206 of the Education Law authorizes CUNY trustees:

“….grant the certificates, diplomas and degrees which were announced in the bulletins of the existing public institutions of higher learning published for the term beginning immediately prior to April sixteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-six, and also such other degrees and honors as the Regents thereafter specifically authorized or may hereafter authorize it to grant.”

The City University of New York, Brooklyn College of New York is authorized to confer the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Music (Mus.B.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.), Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.), Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Master of Music (Mus.M.), and Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degrees on students successfully completing registered programs.  Since Brooklyn College of New York now seeks to offer an M.A.T. program in Adolescence Science Education (7-12), Regents authorization is required because this will be the institution's first Master of Arts in Teaching degree program. 

The proposed M.A.T. program is designed to prepare students for adolescent certification in biology, chemistry, earth science, and physics.  Candidates will enter the program with completion of a General Education undergraduate degree in a science discipline.  The design of the program offers breadth of knowledge and crucial connections between theory, practice and conditions in New York City classrooms.   Six credits of coursework will integrate content and pedagogy in foundations, methods, research and literacy.  Six other credits focus on aspects of science, developmental issues of adolescents, special needs and diversity. Program requirements range between 33 and 37 credits, depending on the certificate awarded (professional or initial/professional).    Enrollment predictions are estimated at 20 students in spring 2009 to 75 students in spring 2013.  Moreover, the College presently offers Master of Arts (M.A.) programs in biology, chemistry, and physics leading to teacher certification.  Teaching faculty will be drawn from these existing science education programs, as well as other faculty within the School of Education and adjunct faculty.  A new faculty member was hired in anticipation of expanding the number of candidates in science education.  The College has expressed its intention to add one full-time faculty member as the program increases in number of candidates. 

The Department has determined that the program, if approved, would meet the registration standards set forth in the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education. 

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Board of Regents authorize the City University of New York, Brooklyn College of New York to award the Master of Arts in Teaching degree on students successfully completing registered M.A.T. programs at the City University of New York, effective November 18, 2008.

Timetable for Implementation

If the Board of Regents authorizes Brooklyn College of New York to award the Master of Arts in Teaching degree, the Department will proceed to register the proposed M.A.T. program in Adolescence Science Education and the institution will proceed to recruit and enroll students.