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, 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 face-to-face program is a one-year, full-time experience which begins with a new cohort in June of every year and follows the public school calendar. The Secondary MAT Online program begins each summer or fall semester and is a four-semester 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.
* Students who hold a provisional certificate and are the teacher-of-record in a teaching position that aligns with their program concentration and grade band (i.e., content AND a 6-12 classroom) will complete their fieldwork in their own classroom for the four-semester online program. Students will also log additional hours in the alternate level of certification.
Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Minimum GPA 2.75 or higher
Two professional recommendations
Resume
Pass Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE 360 Ethics)
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Submit evidence of expertise in the content area through one of the three options below:
Major in the field of certification sought, earned in conjunction with a bachelor’s or higher degree from a GaPSC-accepted, accredited institution of higher education
Passing score on the Georgia state-approved content assessment (GACE)* in the field of certification sought
Evidence of successful completion of 21 semester hours of content area coursework earned in conjunction with a bachelor’s or higher degree through additional coursework from a GaPSC-accepted, accredited institution of higher education.
*The Secondary MAT Program at Georgia College & State University accepts GACE (6-12) in (I) English, (2) Math, (3) Biology, (4) Chemistry, (5) Physics, (6) History, (7) Political Science, and (8) Business Education, and GACE (P-12) in (9) Art, (10) Spanish, and (11) French.
Obtaining a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate
First, “claim your program” through your GaPSC account. The College of Education Certification Officer will notify you by email (with instructions) when it’s time to claim your program and apply for the certificate.
Second, apply for the Pre-Service Certificate online*. This process includes:
Submitting to a background check and receiving acceptable results
Answering Personal Affirmation Questions
Verifying your lawful presence using the PSC-required form, an affidavit, and a non-expired driver’s license
*There is no fee for applying for a Pre-Service Certificate.
Your admission to the Secondary Education MAT Program is conditional upon your ability to receive the Pre-Service Certificate in a timely manner. Processing time is typically two weeks but may be longer.
