The MAT: music education is a full-time fifth-year professional degree program. This professional degree offers students a competitive edge in the search for teaching careers in the state of Georgia. The program is also designed for candidates from other institutions who hold bachelor degrees in music but who are not certified to teach, and those with a nonrenewable IN4T teacher certificate (all must pass the GACE PAA test). The coordinator will evaluate transcripts upon application to determine if the necessary pre-requisites have been met and develop individualized plans of study based on student needs.
The MAT: music education consists of 34 graduate credit hours plus all undergraduate prerequisites not filled in undergraduate study. The one-year, partially online, full-time program features Field Placement and Student Teaching during which MAT students work collaboratively with certified, experienced master teachers and university professors (note: prerequisite needs may extend the program beyond one year, but most finish within two years). Candidates will acquire the theoretical and philosophical framework and practical experience that prepares them to teach in 21st-century schools. The combined curriculum is designed to produce music educators with outstanding content knowledge and pedagogical proficiency who will engage, motivate, and educate PreK-12 students. This program prepares students to document and evaluate student learning outcomes and implement innovative practices within the field.
Successful completion of this degree, including GACE, GACE ethics exams, and GACE music-content exams, will result in T-5 Certification in P-12 Music by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Music Graduate Degree Programs Handbook
MAT Application Procedures
1. GCSU Graduate Application
2. Transcript(s): Official copies of all transcripts from previous undergraduate and graduate institutions should be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office. Transcripts must show a baccalaureate degree (3.0 GPA) in music education. Other bachelor degrees in music may be considered but may require additional coursework. Applicants with lower than a 2.5 GPA in music courses may gain provisional admission. (Students with provisional status are ineligible for financial aid.) Earning at least a 3.0 GPA in the first semester will result in movement to regular admission status.
3. References: Three references from persons outside the university who can describe the candidate's ability to work with music learners and/or candidate’s potential as a graduate student.
4. Resume/Curriculum Vita: A brief account of your education, experience, activities/skills, etc.
5. 500 Word Applicant Statement: This statement should include professional and personal strengths and weaknesses, significant professional experiences, and any other information you think important. You may use the questions below to guide your efforts.
- Why are you pursuing a MAT: music?
- What do you hope to gain from the experience?
- Describe professional experiences or achievements.
- What areas do you wish to explore?
- What areas do you hope to improve?
6. Test Scores:
Required:
- GACE assessment (exempt with SAT combined math and verbal >1000 or ACT combined math and verbal >43).
- GACE 350 ethic entrance exam
Optional:
- GRE scores: For all applicants, there is no minimum required combined score but it is recommended that the combined GRE score (i.e. the Verbal section score plus the Quantitative section score) be above 1000.
- GACE music content assessment I & II.
7. Interview with the Graduate Coordinator regarding your education and philosophy of music education.
Admission to the Georgia College Masters of Arts in Teaching: Music program is determined as a result of a comprehensive file review process involving a number of review criteria.
A limited number of graduate assistantships are offered to departments with graduate degree programs, as well as to other administrative offices.
All application items should be mailed, e-mailed, or faxed to the Graduate Admissions Office:
Campus Box 107
Milledgeville, GA 31061
grad-admit@gcsu.edu
Toll Free: 800-342-0471 (in GA)
Phone: (478) 445-6289
Fax: (478) 445-1336