/College of Arts & Sciences
Department of History

Empowering Students to Study the Past and Shape the Future

Bachelor's/Master of Arts in Teaching Program

Teacher Education: BA/MAT Combined Program

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs in History & in Africana Studies

We have programs that enable students majoring in History or in Africana Studies to earn both a bachelor’s degree in their respective majors and a Master of Arts in Teaching Social Studies in five years.

Stony Brook offers a number of combined undergraduate/graduate degree programs through collaborations between the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Professional Development (SPD), and the Graduate School. These programs allow current Stony Brook undergraduate students with special talent and motivation to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in less time and at less expense than if they enrolled in two separate programs. Applicants to the combined programs are not required to submit an application fee or Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.

Program Information

Applicants are expected to have an overall GPA of 3.4 or above and maintain that GPA to remain in the program. Students who do not perform satisfactorily in the first graduate history courses will not be permitted to continue in the program.

Students must meet with both a History Advisor and an Africana Studies Advisor

  • Students who either choose not to continue for the MAT, or who are not permitted to do so, can count 6 graduate credits towards their undergraduate degree.
  • Most of the general education requirements, as well as the courses required for the major, should be completed prior to beginning the graduate 'methods' sequence.
  • Interested students should apply to the combined programs no later than the spring semester of the sophomore year.
  • Transfer students who are interested in applying to the program should contact the program director as soon as they are notified of their acceptance to Stony Brook.

BA/MAT programs in History and Africana Studies: Although students can earn their certification at the undergraduate level, New York State requires all teachers to earn a relevant master’s degree in order to retain their certification. These combined, five-year programs allow students to earn both an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree, and to qualify for teacher certification, in less time—and at less cost—than if they were to pursue these degrees sequentially. They also provide a more coherent learning experience.

If you are interested in learning more about the Bachelor's + Master's combined program, contact Program Director, Charles Backfish