Secondary Teacher Education M.A.T.

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 (Milledgeville: day and Macon: evenings) is a one-year, full-time experience which begins with a new cohort in June of every year and follows the public school calendar. A two year evening program is also available (Macon) for individuals who are currently teaching under non-renewable certificates. The Secondary MAT Online program begins each fall semester and is a two year part-time program**.  All programs require field experience and an internship component. 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 5 State of Georgia Educator Certification.

** Candidates who hold a provisional certification and are the teacher-of-record in a teaching position that aligns with their program concentration will complete their fieldwork in their own classroom for the two-year online program and the two-year Macon program. Candidates will also log additional hours in the alternate level of certification.

Program Admissions Requirements

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university, with an earned 2.75 or better GPA, Hold 21 credits in areas as approved by PSC requirements for the specific concentration. Candidates who do not have the prerequisite content area classes will be required to take additional content classes as part of the program of study.
• Two  professional recommendations (pdf) using the College of Education format
• Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
• Verification of immunization (pdf) for candidates enrolled in a face-to-face program
• Obtain a Georgia pre-service certification (www.gapsc.com) , which includes

• Obtaining a MyPSC account with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission
• Submit to a background check and receive acceptable results. (This process will be done during the application process.)
• Pass (or exempt) the GACE Program Admission Assessment (Exemption scores are SAT 1000 or higher; ACT combined English and math 45 or higher) 
• Complete the Ethic 350 Assessment through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission
• Submit a copy of your driver’s license or other official identification with the pre-service application

Program of Study

The Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary 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. Candidates 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 appropriate departmental chairperson prior to enrollment. Up to nine (9)- graduate credit hours may be transferred with the approval of the advisor prior to course enrollment. The appropriate form and documentation must be submitted with your request. Also, there is a required orientation (either online or face-to-face, based on the program) that is held at the beginning of the program.

Total Credit Hours: 36

Advisement

The Program Coordinator, in cooperation with the admission’s committee and the Department Chair, assigns each fully admitted candidates to an Advisor. It is the responsibility of the candidate to meet with this Advisor and remain in contact throughout the program.

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 MAT leadership team may result in the candidate's  receiving a developmental plan. Continued failure to meet expectations on program dispositions may result in the candidate's dismissal from the program.  Candidates who do not maintain a 3.0 overall average will be placed on academic probation or may be dismissed from the program, per the guidelines of the Graduate catalog.

Exit Requirements

• All candidate must pass a comprehensive departmental exit requirement before completion of the program which includes:

• The M.A.T. requires an overall 3.0 GPA for graduation
• Successful completion of an electronic portfolio.
• Pass the GACE content examination
• Submit an EdTPA portfolio
• Pass Ethics 360 with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission

Obtaining Initial Certification

• Pass the GACE content examination at the induction level or professional level
• Obtain a teaching position within the state of Georgia
• Pass edTPA
• A recommendation from the GCSU certification officer