FAQs about the M.A.T. Program for Secondary Education

MAT - Secondary Education Application Check List

What is the MAT program?
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree in Secondary Education provides initial teacher preparation at the master's degree level for qualified candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a major in one of the content fields listed below, or in a related area that includes coursework that is the equivalent of a major in such an area. 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. The professional education component is a field-based journey that begins with a new cohort in June 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. 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.

Does the program start only in the summer?
The Macon program starts only in June and the Milledgeville program begins only in June or July.  Students who would like to start in the spring or fall may take their two content area courses at that time, prior to starting the summer classes, but the primary education coursework begins only in the summer.

How do I apply?
Information on our entrance requirements are available in the online graduate catalog. Once you have decided you would like to be in our program, you can apply online. Feel free to apply before you take any of the tests so that a file can be set up in your name.

Please keep in mind that our application deadline is February 14. Those whose completed packets are received after this date cannot be assured of admission. Applicants completing admission requirements after the deadline but before May 1 will be considered on a space available basis. If you decide that our program is right for you, we recommend that you apply early. We have a limited amount of space available because we want to keep the cohorts small. Furthermore our programs are rather popular because of the high demand for our graduates, so early application is a smart idea.

No matter which program you attend, you will need to have taken and passed the College of Education Graduate Writing Assessment, taken or exempted the GACE Basic Skills Assessment (a three part test), and taken or passed the GACE Content Assessments (a two part test). 

For more information on the writing assessment, go to our Graduate Writing Assessment web site. 

For information on the Georgia Assessments for Certification of Educators (GACE) go to the GACE web site.

 We highly recommend that you study extensively before taking the GACE assessments. Good study guides for GACE are available to download on the web site, and they can make a big difference in your scores. Be certain to register only for the following tests and not the middle grades tests:

* Have a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA for all undergraduate coursework attempted.

* Pass the on site Graduate Writing Assessment

* Satisfy the GACE Basic Assessment requirements either through exempting the tests or taking and passing the three tests in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing.

* Submit a completed application for graduate study, all supporting documents (official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and test scores), and the non-refundable application fee as stated on the application for admission to the Office of Enrollment Service

* Submit a completed application to the College of Education and complete the interview process

* Take the appropriate GACE Content Assessment
  ^If your degree is in the EXACT field you plan to teach, you need not pass the exam prior to admittance although we do look for scores close to passing.

  ^If your degree is NOT in-field, you MUST pass the GACE Content Assessment to be admitted.

How difficult is the program?
The truth is that this program is very rigorous. At GC we believe we prepare some of the finest teachers anywhere. And we're not the only ones who think so; we also have an excellent reputation for the quality of the teachers we produce. A large part of the reason our graduates are so good is because they work so very hard while they are here. Our graduates will tell you that their year in the MAT program was exhausting, but completely worth the effort.

What kinds of people thrive in the MAT program?
The students who really shine in these MAT programs are individuals with a strong work ethic. They are willing to accept criticism and are excited about improving themselves. They enjoy working with teenagers and feel comfortable around people whose cultures and ideas may be different from their own. They are fascinated by every aspect of teaching and want to know all they can. Individuals who prefer traditional methods such as lectures, worksheets, and standard tests may wish to seek out a program with a more traditional focus. Most of our successful students are not satisfied with the status quo and do not want to return to the methods of the past.

Many of our students have worked in jobs outside of education since graduating from college, and we think that adds even more to an individual's promise as a future teacher. Principals love to see that as well. So if you have been out of school for a while, fear not; many people choose education as a second career, and they do beautifully!

What grades will I be certified to teach when I finish the program?
This program will certify you to teach grades 6-12 (or art/ foreign language P-12). If you are interested in teaching younger children, contact Dr. Nancy B. Mizelle, Chairperson of Early Childhood and Middle Grades Education.

Does GC offer the content area courses I will need to take?
It is very important that you take graduate level courses in your own content area while you are in this program so that you continue to increase your knowledge of your field. These classes are not always easy to get. Some of our graduate programs are large and offer many courses in the evenings. In some cases, we have no graduate programs in certain fields at all. So you may have to be creative sometimes to get the courses you need. If you can take some or all of them a semester or two before you enter the cohort, that is wonderful. As graduate students, we expect you to take responsibility for determining how and when you will get these courses. Also, before registering for any class, clear it with us first so we can make sure it will count toward your program of study.

Can I earn money and work on my MAT at the same time?
We recommend that students work mostly on the weekends and perhaps a few weeknights but certainly no more than 10 hours a week. This program is very demanding, so you may have to live on less for a year. For those who absolutely must work while they are in the program, we have a two year alternative MAT program in Macon.

What financial aid is available?
The department  offers one scholarship, The Saul Wolpert Scholarship, on a competitive basis. Money may also be available to students through loans or scholarships. Contact financial aid to learn more.

You may be eligible to apply for a Graduate Assistantship.

Why don't you offer undergraduate degrees in Secondary Education?
Teaching high school requires that you really know your content area well. When you get your undergraduate degree in your teaching field, you can really concentrate hard on English, history, math or whatever. Then in the MAT program we can concentrate in the same way on excellent teaching.

What are the benefits of the MAT program?
There are many benefits to having an M.A.T. degree.  Important benefits include significantly higher pay than teachers with only a bachelor's degree and increased marketability.  Best of all, though, we believe you will feel better 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 team of Mentor Leaders who are dedicated to making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible for you.  The Mentor Leaders are 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.

What is the difference between the MAT and the M.Ed. in secondary education?
The M.Ed. program will not certify you to teach. It is a program for people who are already certified. Most of the people in that program have been teaching for some time and are going back to school to further their knowledge of secondary education.

What are my choices for what content areas I can teach?
We offer the MAT in art, biology, business, chemistry, English, French, history, mathematics, political science, physics, science and Spanish.  The School of Health Sciences offers Health and Physcial Education.. Please contact lisa.griffin@gcsu.edu for more information about the Health and PE MAT.

Is there a difference between the Milledgeville and the Macon cohorts?
Both campuses offer essentially the same program. However, because the professors are different and the settings are different, the two programs will have slightly different requirements and assignments. Most people decide which cohort they wish to be in based on where they live and their time needs. Classes in Macon are offered in the evening time slot (starting at 4:30 or 5:00) while the classes in Milledgeville are generally offered during the day.

What if my degree isn't exactly in one of those content areas listed above?Sometimes if you have a degree that is similar, but not exactly the same, you can take a few extra undergraduate or graduate courses that will allow you to teach in one of the above areas. Common examples are people with degrees in engineering who want to teach math or physics or people in psychology or criminal justice who want to teach political science. If you make an appointment and bring us your transcript, we can let you know how many extra classes you will need. In some cases individuals need a large number of extra undergraduate courses and in other cases few or none. We will also require that you take and pass the GACE Content Assessment in your field before entering the program.

What are the schedules for the MAT programs?
Please see the Macon MAT-Secondary programs.
Please see the Milledgeville MAT-Secondary program. 

Where can I get more information?
Please contact us if we can be of any assistance.
MAT Secondary Program
(478) 445-7368
coe@gcsu.edu