Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Secondary Education (grades 6-12)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree in Secondary Education (grades 6-12) provides initial teacher preparation at the master's degree level for qualified candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. The bachelor’s degree should be in a field which is normally taught at the secondary level such as history, mathematics, English, biology, etc.   The program is designed for college graduates whose undergraduate degrees did not include professional education preparation and is comprised of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate course work: 30 semester hours in professional education and 6 semester hours in the content field. Successful completion of the M.A.T. in Secondary Education (grades 6-12) leads to a T-5 Georgia Certification.

The professional education component is a field-based journey which begins with a new cohort in June (Macon) or July (Milledgeville) of every year. All professional education courses are field-based, and students spend a great deal of time with host teachers in a variety of public school placements. Spring semester coursework includes a ten-week, full-time student teaching internship.

Infused in all course work and field experiences are five strands of study: technology in the classroom, classroom inquiry, specific content area applications, teaching literacy skills, and diversity issues in the classroom including exceptionalities.

There are many benefits to having an M.A.T. degree. One big one that comes to mind is that you will be paid more than a teacher with just a bachelor’s degree. You will also be more marketable. Best of all, though, we believe you will feel well prepared because you will have studied both your content area and the art of teaching intensively.

Another important aspect of our program is the cohort concept. You will take all your education classes with the same small group of students. You will learn as a team and become a support network for one another. Each cohort group also has a Mentor Leader who is dedicated to making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible for you. That Mentor Leader is always available to answer questions, listen to problems, and work with you to make you an excellent teacher.

Furthermore, this is an innovative program. Given all the work that has been done in the areas of brain compatible teaching and best practices in general, we are not content to allow our future teachers to teach in the same old way when we know that is not what is best for students. We want you to feel comfortable experimenting with new methods and becoming a new kind of teacher. We will encourage you to join professional organizations, read and conduct research, and eventually become nationally certified to make you a master teacher and further increase your pay.

Please see the FAQ page for the M.A.T. Secondary (grades 6-12) program.

Course Requirements

Professional Education Courses (30 Semester Hours)

Content Field (6 Semester Hours, minimum)
Graduate level courses are selected with the approval of the candidate's advisor to enhance content area preparation. A candidate who has not fulfilled minimum certification requirements in the proposed teaching field is required to take additional course work in the content area.

Total Semester Hours:  36

Additional Application Requirements

1. Submit a complete Master of Arts in Teaching—Secondary (grades 6-12)

2. Have taken the GACE Content Assessment in the appropriate content area by the first day of class. Applicants whose undergraduate degree differs from the content area they are teaching must pass the GACE Content Assessment by the application deadline in order to be admitted.

Certification
Upon satisfactory completion of the program, a candidate may be recommended for a T-5 (master’s degree level) State of Georgia Teacher’s Certificate.

For admissions questions:
Ms. Sam Basinger, Graduate Admission Coordinator
sam.basinger@gcsu.edu
CBX 70; 220 Kilpatrick Hall
Milledgeville, GA 31061
(478) 445-1383
Phone toll free in Georgia: 800-342-0471 Ext. 1383

For program questions:
Dr. Jane Hinson, Chairperson
 jane.hinson@gcsu.edu
CBX 79, 122 Kilpatrick Hall
Milledgeville, GA 31061
(478) 445-1243
Phone toll free in Georgia: 800-342-0471 Ext. 1243

Dr. Cynthia Alby, Coordinator
cynthia.alby@gcsu.edu
CBX 79, 139 Kilpatrick Hall, Room
Milledgeville, GA 31061
(478) 445-2513
Phone toll free in Georgia: 800-342-0471 Ext. 2513