Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Teaching M.A.T. - Concentration in Special Education P-12 (Online)


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


Step One: Credit Hours: 6


The steps represent one way to progress through the program but other schedules are possible.

Total Credit Hours: 45


  • Upon successful completion of the required courses for certification, (Steps 1-5), successful completion of the GACE content assessment, and successful completion of the state-required Educator Ethics Assessment (if not completed for program admission), candidates who are teaching full time with a provisional certificate may apply for a level 4 Induction Certificate.
  • Upon successful completion of Step 6 and all other program and certification requirements listed above, candidates may apply for a level 5 Induction Certificate.

Specific Program Requirements

  • All new MAT candidates must schedule and meet with their assigned Special Education Advisor for a brief advisement orientation meeting prior to entering Step Two of the program in order to meet registration requirements.
  • Candidates must take courses in sequenced order (steps one-six) to meet Special Education Program Key Assessment criteria. The need to repeat or skip a course may delay program completion.
  • Candidates are required to complete 900 clinical hours to meet certification requirements. These clinical hours are included in the courses in this program of study.

Other Program Requirements

  • Must successfully complete assessments identified at each program transition point.
  • Must earn a minimum grade of “B’” or higher in Introduction to Special Education (SPED 6130 )

Advisement

Graduate students are advised by their program. Graduate students should reach out to their graduate program director for information regarding the structures in place to facilitate advisement. For more information visit Graduate Academic Advisement .

Graduate students can also contact the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies for more information about their program director.
Phone: 912-478-COGS (2647)
Email: gradschool@georgiasouthern.edu