Degree Requirements: 45 Credit Hours

Program Intent and Admission Requirements:

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 course work 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.

Admission Requirements

Regular Admission

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

Program of Study