Secondary Mathematics and Science Education—M.A.T.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Secondary Math and Science is an online degree offered cooperatively by five institutions: Columbus State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University, all fully accredited institutions in the University System of Georgia. This program targets career changers who are interested in entering the teaching profession and who possess the prerequisite educational background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. Teacher certification options available through this degree include Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth/Space Science at the secondary level (i.e., certification in grades 6-12).
This innovative degree program combines online course work with practicum experiences in both middle and secondary schools and leads to initial certification at the T-5 level. The 39-hour program is based on the Georgia Framework for Teaching which supports six domains: content & curriculum, knowledge of students & their learning, learning environments, assessment, planning & instruction, and professionalism. The indicators in the framework serve as the program outcomes. These competencies are embedded in courses, and students are expected to demonstrate that they can meet the competencies primarily in two performance-based courses: Practicum and Student Teaching.
All course work and assignments are completed online. Some courses require 30-90 hours of field experience within the grades 6-12 setting. Students who are working full-time in a 6-12 classroom will not be able to complete all field experience hours in their own classrooms. Field experience is required in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 and must include experiences in diverse settings. Student teaching is one full semester (15 weeks) and requires students to work full-time in a grades 6-12 classroom. Students must have access to Webcam software and hardware to enable remote classroom observation and conferencing.
Individuals choose the online M.A.T. in Secondary Math and Science Education because of its accreditation, quality, and fit with their busy lifestyles. Classes are offered each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester, permitting students to complete the program in six consecutive semesters. Students may enter the program during fall semester only. The program follows a 15-week semester schedule for Spring and Fall Semester and a modified schedule for Summer Semester.
The online MAT in Secondary Math and Science Education was approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in March 2009. Admission to the program is available for fall semester only.
Admission Requirements:
- a bachelor's degree in a related field as defined by Professional Standards Commission;
- minimum combined GPA of 2.5 on all undergraduate and graduate course work;
- Passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Tests* [Reading (200), Mathematics (201), Writing (202)] or exemption through SAT (1000 combined score), ACT (43 combined score), GRE (1030 combined score), or having a masters degree or above from a PSC-accepted accredited institution;
- Passing scores on the GACE content examinations required in the intended teacher certification field;
- Criminal background check;
Suitability for teaching as determined through the admissions process.
*If an individual passed all three parts of the Praxis I or posted a composite score of 526 on the three tests prior to March 5, 2007, he or she is exempt from the GACE Basic Skills Tests.
Note: Praxis II or TCT Tests passed prior to March 5, 2007, in certification content fields are valid and may be used in place of the GACE content tests. A candidate may not combine a Praxis test score with a GACE test score to meet the testing requirement in a content field. All tests within a GACE assessment (or Praxis, if taken before March 5, 2007) must be passed.
