M.A.T - Health and Physical Education

Can I complete the concentration online? Yes, the MAT’s Health and Physical Education program is offered as an online program.

What background do I need? Health and Physical Education certification (P-12) for candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. The program of study is designed to meet all content and methods requirements for initial certification in 36 credit hours. There are no undergraduate prerequisite courses for the program since that content knowledge is embedded in the current courses. Please note that during the Master of Arts, candidates will be required to perform field experiences including student teaching/internship in Georgia school systems.

What certification will I be eligible for upon completion of this concentration? Upon successful completion of all program requirements and passing the appropriate GACE exam, you will be eligible for Georgia T-5 Health and Physical Education Certification (P-12). The program is an NCATE accredited, Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved program that is recognized through reciprocity in many other states in the U.S.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) leads to initial teaching certification and a master’s degree for those persons who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. There are six study concentrations/tracks based on educational background and career goals:

Study Concentration 6: Health and Physical Education (Summer Admit Only) The Masters of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in Health and Physical Education is for students who have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university but do not have a teaching certificate to teach Health and Physical Education P-12 setting. These students will be able to earn a master’s degree and a teaching certificate at the same time.

100% Online, No Attendance Requirements

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

2. Present a cumulative 2.50 (4.0 scale) grade point average or higher on all undergraduate and graduate work combined.

3. Submit passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or be exempt by acceptable SAT, ACT, or GRE scores.

4.Complete the state-required Georgia Educator Ethics-Program Entry (350) assessment. A minimum score is not required.

5.Qualify for a Georgia Pre-Service certificate or Induction Pathway 4 certificate (see Certification section in the Graduate Catalog)

1. Submit a personal statement of purpose, not to exceed 200 words, that identifies the applicant’s reasons for pursuing graduate study and how admission into the program relates to the applicant’s professional aspirations.

2. Acknowledge ”Disclosure and Affirmation” statements that address the Code of Ethics for Educators and the need for tort liability insurance.

3. *International applicants and U.S. citizens whose native language is not English must demonstrate competence in English. Applicants must take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and post a score of at least 75 (internet-based test, IBT), 204 (computer-based test) or 537 (paper-based test) on the TOEFL. The official TOEFL score may not be more than two years old. Those who do not meet the minimum proficiency standard may be recommended for enrollment in University English courses or for English courses offered by the English Language Program (ELP) on campus prior to admission to the program. For Study Concentration Four (Spanish), candidates are not required to take the TOEFL: rather, those individuals who did not complete their undergraduate degree in the English language must pass an Oral Proficiency Interview and a Writing Proficiency Test in English at the ACTFL-defined IH or above (tests administered by the Department of Foreign Languages).

9.If an applicant was previously enrolled in an initial teacher preparation program, an interview must be completed with the Program Coordinator prior to admission to the program.

*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service and must be a course by course evaluation and include a GPA. (www.naces.org)

Applicants may be approved for provisional admission based on the quality of the admission material presented. Provisional students must earn grades of ‘B’ or higher in their first nine (9) hours of course work after admission and meet any other stipulations outlined by the department to be converted to regular status.

MyPSC account requirement. As part of the program requirements, once admitted, all applicants must register with the GaPSC. To complete this process for obtaining a myPSC account, please go to the GaPSC website to register: www.gapsc.com

Georgia Pre-Service certificate. Prior to participating in a field experience in the M.A.T. program (which occurs the first semester), all candidates must have a Georgia Pre-Service certificate or Induction Pathway 4 certificate. After you receive your admission acceptance, if you are not employed as a teacher in Georgia, you will receive an email from the College of Education with documents required to receive the Pre-Service certification from the GaPSC. Once you provide the information requested in the documents, the information will be sent to the GaPSC by the College of Education Certification Officer.

Provisional

Applicants may be approved for Provisional admission based on the quality of the admission material presented. Provisional students must earn grades of B or higher in their first nine (9) credits of course work after admission and meet any other stipulations outlined by the department to be converted to regular status.

Education

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges