Social Studies Education, M.A.T.

Return to: 4170 Department of Middle and Secondary Education  

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Social Studies Education provides initial teacher preparation for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees in history or one or more of the social sciences.

Program Admission

All applicants must meet the College of Education and Human Development’s requirements for admission to graduate study. Admission to the program occurs twice each year. Additional admission requirements specific to this program include:

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in history or in one or more of the social sciences from a regionally accredited college or university. A minimum of a major (24 upper-division semester hours) in history or a social science must be part of prior coursework.
• Two letters of recommendation as follows: (a) one academic or professional letter, (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of potential to work successfully with adolescents, or (c) one letter from a current work supervisor (if applicable)
• Documentation of previous work experience (resume).

Undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Economics and Bachelor of Science with a major in Economics can apply to the M.A.T. in Social Studies Education if they meet the following requirements.

• Students must participate in pre-advising sessions with Social Studies Education faculty in the Department of Middle and Secondary Education.
• Students may apply to the program at any time after completing 30 hours but prior to completing 90 hours of undergraduate coursework.
  • Students must have earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3.
  • Complete the B.A. or B.S./M.A.T. application form. This will be kept on file in the Department of Economics.
  • Documentation of previous work experience (resume or curriculum vitae).
  • Personal statement of goals and/or reasons for teaching.
  • 2-3 letters of recommendation: (a) one academic or professional letter; (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of potential to work successfully with adolescents; (c) one letter from a current work supervisor, if applicable.
• Formal acceptance into the M.A.T. portion of the program will be contingent upon the following:
  • Completion of 75-90 hours towards the B.A. or B.S. degree in Economics.
  • Completion of 24 hours in Economics courses.
  • Filing an application to the M.A.T. program by the appropriate deadline.
  • Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Completion of Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment.

Students in the dual program between Economics and Social Studies Education will be allowed to enroll in graduate-level coursework in both departments and have the 12 hours count toward both degrees.

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.

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, and
• 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 Assessments in Economics, History, and/or Political Science for licensure in the Social Studies content area(s), Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment, and successfully completing:

• All content courses recommended for the students by MSE and Arts and Sciences faculty upon the students’ 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 6600, EDCI 4650, EDCI 7660, EDCI 7670, EDCI 7680,  EDSS 6560,  EDSS 7540; and
• Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.