M.A.T - Middle Grades Education (grades 4 - 8) - Master of Arts in Teaching

Can I complete the concentration online? Yes, the MAT Middle Grades Education concentration is offered as on online program beginning fall 2020.

During the program, you will be required to complete supervised field experiences in Georgia schools to meet certification requirements.

What background do I need? The online Middle Grades program is for candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet content requirements (located here) for one of the following concentrations:

Language Arts Science Social Studies Mathematics 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 Middle Grades Certification (grades 4-8). 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.

Regular

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

2. Present a transcript evaluation by the College of Education’s Director of the Graduate Academic Services Center, and completion of a specified prerequisite content course work.

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

4. Present a total adjusted GPA of 2.75 or higher on all teaching field course work.

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

6. Submit a passing score on the GACE Content Assessment in the area for which one is seeking certification.

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

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

9. 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.

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

11. 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 80 (internet-based test, IBT), 213 (computer-based test) or 550 (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).

12. 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.

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.