Master of Arts in Teaching
If you do not currently hold teacher certification or if you hold a nonrenewable (NR) teacher certification, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) was designed for you.
The MAT degree leads to initial teaching certification and a master’s degree for aspiring teachers who hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
M.A.T. Admission Requirements
Ready to apply? Please refer to our admissions checklist to ensure you meet each requirement and submit all required materials. A transcript evaluation by the College of Education’s Graduate Academic Services Center is required for all M.A.T. applicants who apply to the Middle Grades, Secondary, Spanish, and Special Education programs as part of the application process. The transcript evaluation will occur following the submission of the application and all transcripts. Any additional prerequisite content course work, based on the transcript evaluation, must be completed prior to admission to the M.A.T. program. Applicants who need prerequisite courses will be encouraged to update their application to a future term. For information regarding other specific admission requirements for each program, please visit the program’s web page.
During the admission process, you will choose one of the six study concentrations below based on your educational background and career goals.
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Concentrations and Program Format
During the program, you will be required to complete field experiences including student teaching/internship. All field experience requirements for any M.A.T program must be completed in the state of Georgia. Some concentrations require practicum placements prior to student teaching or internship semester. Field experiences, including student teaching, for students in the online M.A.T. Concentrations in Elementary Education, Health and Physical Education, and Special Education will be considered in the Georgia region in which you are located. Field experiences for the M.A.T. Concentration in Spanish, including student teaching, will take place within a 70 mile radius of the Georgia Southern University Statesboro campus. Field experiences for the M.A.T. Concentrations in Secondary Education or Middle Grades Education can occur anywhere in Georgia if you are the teacher of record. If you are not a teacher of record, student teaching will take place within a 70 mile radius of the Georgia Southern University Statesboro or Armstrong campus.
Career Opportunities
Upon successful completion of all MAT program requirements and passing the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Content exam in your area of concentration, and the Educators Ethics Exit 360 exam you will be eligible for your Georgia certification and master’s degree. 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. Graduates of this program are prepared to teach in public or private school systems.
Professional License/Certification Disclosure
The College of Education anticipates that graduates of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program with one of the following concentrations: Elementary Education, Special Education, Middle Grades Education, Secondary Education, Health and Physical Education, and Spanish Education will be eligible to seek professional certification by Georgia Professional Standards Commission as a certified teacher in their respective field.
The College of Education has determined the required classes and educational activities of this academic program will qualify a graduate of this program to take the GACE exam for teacher certification in Georgia. The department has not determined whether this program satisfies the requirements of all states and territories for teacher certification in concentrations listed above.
Professional Certification Disclosure
The College of Education anticipates that graduates of the Master of Art in Teaching programs will seek state licenses or certifications.
The programs listed above lead to a Georgia Certificate Upgrade. Visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for more information. The College of Education has not determined where its programs will qualify a graduate to take the required exams in other states or territories. Check the requirements of your state or territory using the link provided.
For all Online Programs:
Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions, and refunds.
For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.