Middle Level Education, M.A.T.

Return to: 4170 Department of Middle and Secondary Education  

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Level Education provides initial teacher preparation for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees and who have an interest in teaching students in grades 4-8 in two areas of a concentration. The course of study meets the requirements for professional certification in Middle Level Education (grades 4-8) with two concentrations out of the following areas: language arts education, mathematics education, science education, and/or social studies education.

Program Admission

All applicants must meet the College of Education and Human Development’s requirements for admission to graduate study.

Additional requirements specific to this program include:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree or the equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.
• The academic preparation of applicants must include the coursework listed below. Students may be admitted to the program and allowed to complete their academic preparation concurrently. Academic preparation must be completed prior to recommendation for certification.
• Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (EXC 4020 or its equivalent)
• Language Arts Education Concentration
  • 12 hours of English courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
  • Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) literature and folklore, (b) composition, (c) languages and (d) children’s and adolescent’s literature.
• Mathematics Education Concentration
  • 12 hours of mathematics courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
  • Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) geometry, (b) algebra, (c) number theory, and (d) probability/statistics.
• Science Education Concentration
  • 12 hours of science courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
  • Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) biology, (b) physical science, and (c) earth/space sciences.
• Social Studies Education Concentration
  • 12 hours of social studies courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
  • Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) Georgia History, (b) geography, (c) World History/studies, and (d) U.S. History/studies.
• Two letters of recommendation as follows: (a) one academic or professional letter, (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicants’ personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of the potential to work successfully with pre-adolescents and adolescents, or (c) one letter from a current work supervisor (if applicable).
• Documentation of previous work experience (resume).

Program Academic Regulations

Upon admission to a teacher education program, students will be contacted by the Office of Field Placements and Certification with instructions to claim enrollment in their program and submit a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate Application. The pre-service certificate is required for placement in required field experiences or clinical practice.

Students are advised by a committee of education and arts and sciences faculty including representatives from the students’ two areas of concentration. The committee and the students complete a planned program of study in light of the needs of the individual students.

Exit requirements for this program are:

• Completion of all program coursework with a grade point average of no less than 3.00.
• Successful completion of the teaching internships with a grade of “B” or higher.
• Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.

Certification 

Students in this program will be eligible to be recommended for Georgia initial certification after earning passing scores on the GACE Content Assessments for Middle Grades, Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment, and successfully completing:

• All content courses recommended for all individuals by the advisement committee upon admission to the program.
• For Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) certification requirements, students must earn a grade of “B” or higher in EXC 4020.
• EXC 4020, EPY 7080, EDCI 7020, EDRD 7630, EDCI 4650; EDCI 7660, EDCI 7670, EDCI 7680, and two of the following: EDLA 6400, EDMT 6460, EDSC 6470, EDSS 6480.