The M.A.T. with a Major in Education program is designed for candidates who are seeking a Level 5 Georgia teaching certificate and who already have content knowledge expertise in the certification area in which they want to teach.
The M.A.T. program offers initial certification to candidates in Middle Grades Education, Secondary Education, and select P-12 teaching fields. Candidates select one content area aligned to their content expertise and could obtain certification within that field upon program completion. The following content fields are available for Georgia certification through this program:
Middle Grades Fields (certified to teach in grades 4-8):
- Middle Grades Language Arts
- Middle Grades Mathematics
- Middle Grades Social Science
- Middle Grades Science
Secondary Fields (certified to teach in grades 6-12):
- Agricultural Education
- Biology
- Business Education
- Chemistry
- Earth Space Science
- English
- Family and Consumer Science
- Geography
- History
- Marketing Education
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Political Science
- Science
P-12 Fields (certified to teach in grades p-12):
- Computer Science
- Engineering and Technology
Selected Educational Outcomes
- Students in initial teacher education programs demonstrate knowledge of the content that they plan to teach and can explain important principles and concepts delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards.
- Students in initial teacher education programs apply content specific pedagogy to the subject area content and demonstrate a broad knowledge of instructional strategies that draws upon content and pedagogical knowledge and skills delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards to help students learn.
- Students in initial teacher education programs analyze educational research findings and incorporate new information into their practice.
- Students in initial teacher education programs assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
- Students in initial teacher education programs demonstrate content knowledge through passing the state-required content assessment.
- Students in initial teacher education programs demonstrate pedagogical content knowledge and knowledge of evidence-based strategies through development of lesson plans identifying use of research-validated procedures and effective content pedagogy.
- Students in initial teacher education programs demonstrate skills in assessment, instructional strategies, use of technology, and monitoring and modifying instruction during observed teaching episodes evaluated by a university supervisor and mentor teacher.
- Students in initial teacher education programs demonstrate their ability to positively impact P-12 learning.
Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE or MAT), completed application form, fee, and any additional program requirements submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for the preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.
Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on Alternative Certification Track for information on:
- Specific M.A.T. (selected option) Program Admission Requirements
- M.A.T. (selected option) Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- M.A.T. (selected option) Program Graduation Requirements
To Apply Online, click here.
Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- Candidates must obtain a Georgia Pre-Service Teaching Certificate or hold a professional teaching certification to remain enrolled in the program after the first semester.
- Candidates must maintain professional liability insurance.
- The maximum time allowed for completion of the degree is seven calendar years. No work completed more than seven years prior to degree completion will be accepted toward the degree, except with special permission from the student's advisor and approval from the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research.
- No more than 9 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Education and Human Services graduate program. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission by the academic department.
- Earning grades below "B" in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: students will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of "C" (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of "D," "WF," "F," or "U" (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points.
- If dismissed from the program, a student must not be enrolled for two semesters. Application for readmission may be initiated during the second semester. Readmission is not guaranteed, and prior academic performance and student conduct/disposition in the program will be considered. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.
Requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching with a Major in Education
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MSED 5600 | Content Teaching Methods of Middle Grades or Secondary Education | 3 |
| MSED 6000 | Written and Verbal Communication for Teachers | 3 |
| MSED 6001 | Planning for Middle or Secondary Teaching | 3 |
| MSED 6002 | Assessment in Middle or Secondary Education | 3 |
| MSED 6003 | Differentiation and Multicultural Education in Middle or Secondary Education | 3 |
| MSED 6004 | Content Area Literacy for Middle and Secondary Teachers | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Employed Teacher Track Internship 1 | ||
| Apprenticeship in Teaching | ||
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| MAT Capstone | ||
| Teaching Context for Career, Technical, and Agricultural Educators | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Employed Teacher Track Internship 2 | ||
| Student Teaching | ||
| MSED 6005 | Educational Philosophy, Law and Ethics | 3 |
| MSED 6021 | Clinical Seminar Employed Teacher Track | 1 |
| or MSED 6201 | Clinical Seminar Full-time Student Track | |
| SPEC 7000 | Serving Students with Diverse Needs 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours Required for the Degree | 36 | |
There are requirements in addition to the above that candidates must complete before being recommended for certification.
Students must hold a Pre-Service Certificate or other approved certificate as well as professional liability insurance prior to progressing into their second semester of the program.
- 1
SPEC 7000 can be waived if applicants provide evidence of meeting the Georgia Professional Standards Commission's Special Education Requirement (Georgia House Bill 671).
