Master of Arts in Teaching - with concentration in Special Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) leads to initial teaching certification in Special Education General Curriculum (P-12) and a master’s degree for those persons who hold a bachelor’s degree in counseling, child and family development, English, mathematics, psychology, science, social science, or a closely-related field from a regionally accredited institution.

The Total Credit Hours: for the degree are dependent on previous coursework completed in the area of certification. A transcript evaluation by the College of Education’s Graduate Academic Services Center is required. Prerequisite content course work, based on the transcript evaluation, must be completed as a non-degree student before admission into the program.

This is a fully online program. Candidates are required to complete supervised field experiences in Georgia schools to meet certification requirements.

Consider this concentration if you hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in counseling, child and family development, English, mathematics, psychology, science, social science, or closely related field and are interested in working with exceptional children of all ages.

1. Complete requirements for 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 with completion of specified prerequisite content coursework for one or more content areas.
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 a passing score on the state-required Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment.
6. Qualify for a Georgia Pre-Service certificate or Provisional certificate (see Certification section in the Graduate Catalog
7. 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.
8. Acknowledge “Disclosure and Affirmation” statements that address the Code of Ethics for Educators and the need for tort liability insurance.
9. 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). 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.
10. If an applicant was previously enrolled in an initial teacher preparation program, an interview must be completed with the Program Coordinator prior to admission

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 coursework 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.

Field experiences for the MAT Middle Grades and MAT Secondary programs can occur anywhere in Georgia if you are the teacher of record in a matching content classroom. If you are not a teacher of record, you will be placed as a student teacher within a 70-mile radius of the Georgia Southern University Statesboro or Armstrong campus. If you cannot meet these criteria, you may not be able to complete the field experience requirements for the program.

Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation