Masters of Arts in Teaching

The MAT in Secondary Education with Initial Teacher Certification program prepares the candidate who holds a bachelor's degree in biology, English, history, or mathematics from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) accredited institution.

The MAT program is a full-time hybrid program with off-site placement of its graduate interns at Professional Development Schools in the Bibb County School District, Macon, Georgia.

Developed with a key partnership in the Bibb County School District, this MAT degree program is designed to address a critical need for highly qualified and effective secondary school teachers in the middle Georgia area.

The MAT will provide a pathway to initial teacher certification and foster applied research in the areas of teacher practice, student achievement, professional development, assessment, and innovation for graduates who already have earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology or mathematics or a Bachelor of Arts in English or history.

The mission of the Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education with Initial Teacher Certification (MAT) program is to prepare adaptive professionals who are competent, accountable, reflective, and engaged.

The MAT program is cohort based and admits students every summer semester. Admission into the MAT program is competitive and granted on a space available basis. Students must:

Complete an online application for admission Provide a statement of purpose- This is a short 500-word or less essay describing why you want to pursue a graduate degree in: Teaching Education, how it will help you realize your ultimate career goals, and why the program you are applying to is your best fit Provide a resume Have two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources submitted to graduate admissions. Submit an official transcript indicating the awarding of a bachelor's degree in Biology, Computer Science, Economics, English, French, Health & Physical Education, History, Latin, Math, Music, Political Science, Spanish from a GaPSC accredited institution. Be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all courses to include tranfer, transient, or courses taken as a part of a prior degree Present a passing score on the GACE Program Admissions Assessment ( 250 and above on all areas) or show evidence of exemption from any of the following national exam scores: SAT – minimum combined score of 1080 on SAT verbal/math; ACT minimum combined score of 43 on English/Math; or GRE minimum combined score of 1030 on verbal/quantitative prior to August 1, 2011 or minimum combined score of 297 on verbal/quantitative if taken after August 1, 2011. Provide passing scores at the Professional Level (250+) on the GACE content area assessments for your degree. Complete a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate application which includes the verification of lawful presence. Complete the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment. Student must provide proof of completion of the Georgia Educator Ethics Entry Assessment (350G). The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences will request a Pre-Service Certificate from the GaPSC for the prospective candidate. The decision to issue the Pre-Service Certificate resides solely with the GaPSC. Upon receipt of a copy of the Pre-Service Certificate by the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences will notify in writing the prospective candidate of their acceptance. Upon acceptance, students are referred to as “graduate interns” and will require to provide a clear criminal background check through HRtrue check. Graduate interns must be available during regular public school day hours for practicums. Graduate interns must present proof of having liability insurance and a Livetext account. To acknowledge their understanding of its requirements, graduate interns must sign their program of study and are required to follow the program of study as prepared by the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Deviations from that program without prior consent from the Dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences will result in dismissal from the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.