Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Special Education (for Initial Certification)

The program listed below leads to initial certification in Special Education. This program is open to students who do not currently hold any teaching certificate as well as those who hold a conditional teaching certificate in the state of Georgia. The M.A.T. program in Special Education is configured as a cohort which means students enroll and matriculate as one group under the supervision of faculty in the special education program. Students should consult the Georgia College website for further information and requirements.

M.A.T. Admission

In order to be admitted to any of the M.A.T. programs, the applicant should complete and submit the following:

1. University Admissions Form including application fee, if applicable
2. Two professional recommendations (pdf) using the College of Education format
3. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended Verification of immunization (pdf)
4. Submit to a background check and receive acceptable results. (This process will be done during the application process.)
5. Pass an on-site writing assessment (http://www.gcsu.edu/education/writing.html)
6. Pass (or exempt) the GACE Basic Assessment (Exemption scores are SAT 1000 or higher; ACT combined English and math 45 or higher)  

M.A.T. Program Orientations

A required orientation program for new students in M.A.T. programs is held prior to the start of the program. 

Advisement

The Departmental Chairpersons, in cooperation with the departmental admission committees and program coordinators, assign each fully admitted student to a Mentor Leader of the M.A.T. cohort. It is the responsibility of the student to meet with this Mentor Leader.

Program of Study

Only those courses listed on the Program of Graduate Study fulfill degree requirements. Substitutions must be approved by the advisor prior to course enrollment and a Change of Graduate Program of Study form submitted to the Department Chairperson. Transfer credits are not accepted.  The Master of Arts in Teaching - Special Education requires a minimum of 45 semester hours of coursework. This degree program must be completed within six years, beginning with the initial date of coursework. This program of study is configured as a 5-semester cohort.

Exit Requirements

All students must pass a comprehensive departmental exit requirement before completion of the program. Usually this exit requirement includes an electronic portfolio. Students should check with their assigned program advisor or the department chairperson for specifics. Students must pass this exit requirement to graduate.

Dismissal Policy

A graduate student will be placed on graduate academic probation if the student's institutional graduate grade point average falls below a 3.00 at any point during his or her graduate studies. If a student is placed on graduate academic probation and the GPA remains below 3.0 after the probation semester then the student will be academically dismissed from the program.  Any course in which a student earns less than a C cannot be counted for graduate credit in Special Ed graduate programs. Since students in graduate programs are configured as cohorts, students earning grades of D will not continue to the following semester with their cohort. Additionally, standards-based performance assessments are embedded in program coursework and are used as decision points to evaluate graduate student competency for program continuation each semester in all graduate programs. In addition to letter grade requirements, the graduate student must satisfactorily complete all required assessments for program continuation.  All coursework must be passed in each semester for students to progress to the next semester.  In cases of S/U internship courses a grade of U is considered not passing. Students will also fail if they plagiarize work and be referred to the Judicial Council for a violation of the Honor Code.

Total Credit Hours: 45