Enroll in the Five-Year program during your first year at New Paltz (transfer students may qualify depending on credits earned). Focus on foundational science courses while taking embedded classes in education, then apply for early graduate admission during your junior year. Start graduate-level education courses as an undergraduate, complete your Bachelor of Arts after four years, then continue on to just a single year in the MAT program, which includes all student teaching requirements.

The Five Year BA/MAT curriculum has been carefully designed to ensure that you can earn a graduate-level education on an accelerated timescale, helping reduce total tuition expenses and enabling you to begin your career as quickly as possible.

School districts throughout New York State are preparing for teacher shortages as a generation of educators approach retirement, and the sciences are among the greatest areas of need. In the 21st century, children need strong STEM education in order to succeed as professionals and as citizens. Talented, passionate science teachers have an incredible opportunity to make a difference for students that lasts a lifetime.

We understand that plans can change, and people can too. If you fall in love with science and research, and decide to pursue employment or advanced degrees in your discipline, it’s easy to switch over to the Chemistry plan of study, earn your bachelor’s degree on time, and move forward to the future that you choose.