Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) with a major of Secondary Teacher Education and choice of content area

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) degree with a major in Secondary Teacher Education provides initial educator preparation at the master’s degree level for qualified candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a major in one of the content fields listed below, or in a related area that includes coursework that is the equivalent of a major in such an area. The degree program prepares persons for certification to teach in grades 6-12 in the fields of Biology, Business Education, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics, Physics, and Political Science; and for certification to teach in grades P-12 in Art, Health Education, French, and Spanish. The program is designed for college graduates whose undergraduate degrees did not include professional education preparation. The program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate coursework. The professional education component is a one-year, full-time experience which begins with a new cohort in July of every year and follows the public school calendar. A two-year evening program is also available for individuals who are currently teaching under non-renewable certificates. All professional education courses are field-based, and students spend a minimum of 20 hours per week with host teachers in a variety of public school placements. Spring semester coursework includes a ten week, full-time student teaching internship. A lab fee is associated with the student teaching internship. Infused in all coursework and field experiences are five strands of study: technology in the classroom, classroom inquiry, specific content area applications, teaching literacy skills, and diversity issues in the classroom including exceptionalities. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, a candidate may be recommended for a Level Five State of Georgia Educator Certification.

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
4. Verification of immunization (pdf)
5. Submit to a background check and receive acceptable results. (This process will be done during the application process.)
6. Pass an on-site writing assessment (http://www.gcsu.edu/education/writing.html)
7. Pass (or exempt) the GACE Basic Assessment (Exemption scores are SAT 1000 or higher; ACT combined English and math 45 or higher)

Applicants for graduate programs in the College of Education must take the Georgia College Graduate Writing Assessment, the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Applicants must pass the Georgia College Graduate Writing Assessment for admission; or present an official test score that is no more than six years old on the GRE General Test of at least 1,000 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken before August 1, 2011, or at least 305 (verbal and quantitative combined) on the GRE if taken on or after August 1, 2011, or at least 400 on the MAT. Graduates of Georgia College may waive the graduate admissions test requirements.

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

The Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary Education and Middle Grades Education require a minimum of 36 semester hours of course work. The degree program must be completed within six years, beginning with the initial date of coursework. Students may be required to take additional semester hours in order to qualify for certification in a particular content area. 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.

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.

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.

All students must pass GACE content assessment as exit requirement to graduate.

Dismissal Policy

Violation of the Georgia Code of Ethic is grounds for dismissal from the program. Lack of progress toward attaining the program dispositions as determined by the secondary MAT leadership team may result in the student’s receiving a developmental plan. Continued failure to meet expectations on program dispositions may result in the student’s dismissal from the program.  Students who do not maintain a 3.0 overall average will be placed on academic probation per the guidelines of the Graduate catalog.

Total Credit Hours: 36

Further Information

Prospective students desiring further information on graduate programs may contact Shanda Brand, Graduate Admissions Advisor, at Georgia College, Campus Box 70, Milledgeville, GA 31061.

Email: Shanda.Brand@gcsu.edu

Phone: 478-445-1383.  (Toll free in Georgia at 1-800-342-0471, extension 1383.)