Kinesiology/Physical Education M.A.T.

Director: Lisa Griffin, School of Health & Human Performance
Office Coordinator: Toyia Barnes, toyia.barnes@gcsu.edu
Administrative Assistant: Sarah McCook, sarah.mccook@gcsu.edu

Contact Information:

Campus Box 112

Milledgeville, GA 31061

Phone: 478-445-4072

Fax: 478-445-4074

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Kinesiology/Physical Education provides initial teacher preparation at the master's degree level for qualified candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related discipline such as kinesiology, health education, exercise science, health promotion, outdoor education, and human performance. The degree program is designed for college graduates whose undergraduate degrees did not include coursework or learning experiences necessary to meet CAEP/NASPE national accreditation standards and the Georgia Performance Standards in health and physical education necessary for Health & Physical Education P-12 teacher certification. The program is a one-year, full-time, experience that preferably begins in summer semester and is completed the following spring. Students can begin the program in the fall semester and complete it at the end of the subsequent summer term. It is possible to complete the program on a part-time basis over an extended number of semesters to accommodate an approved course sequence that includes six hours per semester. Students take courses and complete field experiences and are guided during the period of study by a professor skilled in advising, supervising, and implementing best teaching practices.

Accreditations and Alliances

The Master of Arts in Teaching: Kinesiology/Physical Education is accredited through the College of Education by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) and meets the Georgia Performance Standards (PSC) for Health & Physical Education P-12 teacher certification.

Regular Admission Requirements

The following are elements used to determine eligibility for regular admission:

• GRE (minimum score 297) or Miller's Analogy Test (minimum score 385).  Scores will be examined holistically with the other admission requirements on an individual basis
• An upper-level GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in the upper division major courses
• Successful completion of essential pre-requisite requirements.
• Submission of a letter of application indicating why you have chosen a career in teaching health and physical education, teaching philosophy, and how the program of study meets your career goals
• Current resume; copies of any relevant, current training certificates or certification cards
• Names and contact information for 2 professional references
• Additional Georgia Teacher Licensure Admission Requirements to Teacher Preparation Programs:

1. SAT, ACT, or GRE scores must meet the following minimum requirements or you must take and successfully pass the GACE Basic Skills Assessment (200, 201, 202):
   
   1. SAT - minimum required score = 1000 (with no minimum verbal score or math required.) The composite score is obtained by adding the Verbal and the Math scores. Candidates must take both the Verbal and the Math sections of the test. Note: You can use the Verbal portion of the SAT from one testing session and add it to the Math portion from another testing session in order to exempt GACE Basic Assessment. 
   2. ACT - minimum score = 43 (English score + Math score) Candidates must take both the English and Math sections of the test.
      
   3. GRE - Candidates need a GRE composite score of 297 on Verbal and Quantitative to exempt GACE Basic Skills.
2. Candidates for the MAT PE program must also complete the Pre-Service Applications Package.  Georgia College will submit these forms to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to request a Pre-Service Certificate.  The PSC does not charge a fee for these forms which give the PSC permission to perform a background check.  The affidavit for Verification of Legal Presence (included in the packet) must be completed with a notary public.  A copy of the identification document (usually a Georgia driver's license) also needs to be included with the other completed materials in the packet.
3. Take the GACE 350 Ethics Exam

Conditional Admission

Applicants who apply too late for full consideration for admission and/or have not submitted all required documents or met minimum entrance requirements for evaluation may be assigned conditional admission status for one semester only with permission of the Graduate Coordinator of the School of Health and Human Performance. This option is discouraged because students failing to submit all required documents or not meeting admission requirements will be required to withdraw from the University. After one semester on conditional status, students must have achieved regular admission.

Academic 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.

A graduate student will be dismissed if the student is placed on academic probation for more than one semester, receives more than one C (or lower) during his or her graduate studies, or fails to comply with policy, procedures, and expectations as defined in current versions of the Graduate Student Handbook.

Transfer Credits

Up to 9 semester hours of graduate coursework with grades of B or better may be accepted from other institutions at the discretion of the School of Health and Human Performance Graduate Coordinator and the advisor.

Time Limitations for M.A.T. Degree in Kinesiology/Physical Education

The requirements for the degree program must be completed within a period of 6 years from the date that the student begins taking courses at GC. Courses completed more than 6 years prior to completion of the requirements for the Master's degree will be regarded as outdated and will not be applied toward the degree program. This includes courses that may be transferred from other institutions. Outdated courses may be updated through appropriate means at the discretion of the School of Health and Human Performance Graduate Coordinator and the advisor.

Steps in Completing the Master of Arts in Teaching: Kinesiology/Physical Education

1. Submit a completed application for graduate study and all supporting documents to the Graduate Admissions Office
2. Consult with the faculty advisor to develop a program of study
3. Complete courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better
4. Satisfactory completion and evaluation of the electronic teaching portfolio (Educational Teacher Performance Assessment or EdTPA).
5. Submit the completed graduation application by the date specified in the official university calendar
6. Take and pass the GACE 360 Ethics Exam
7. Take the GACE Content Area Assessment in the areas of certification (115 & 116).
8. Submit scores on the GACE Content Area Assessments and Ethics Exam, the College of Education Recommendation for Certification Form; and all other necessary documentation to the College of Education Certification Officer.