You have the passion. Now build the skills to touch lives by creating transformative classroom experiences while preparing to qualify for initial teaching certification.
Locations
- Statesboro Campus (Hybrid)
- Online
Why Earn an MAT at Georgia Southern?
- Flexible, fully online program.
- Earn your initial teacher certification.
- Pick your passion with six available concentrations.
- #1 Best School for Teacher Education in Georgia for 2024 by CollegeFactual.
- 36-45 credit hours to completion.
Ready to gain initial teacher certification and advance your career in the classroom? The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program from Georgia Southern University gives you a flexible, fully online way to complete the necessary coursework.
Designed for those holding a bachelor’s degree in a non-teaching field, the program helps you expand your knowledge and competence as an educator while you learn from faculty who are experienced practitioners and engaged mentors. If you are a teacher in a position that matches your program concentration, you can complete most field experiences in your own classroom, making it even easier to fulfill all degree requirements without disrupting your life.
Apply today to take your next step toward greater confidence, impact and professionalism in the classroom.
Ready to Apply?
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Teaching?
The MAT is an entryway to a rewarding career in education, preparing you for state certification as a teacher and for serving in the area of your passion. As you progress along this path, experience and additional credentials open the way to greater impact, including in the classroom, curriculum development or administrative and support roles.
Where our graduates work:
- Public school districts in Georgia
- Private school districts in Georgia
What our graduates do:
- Elementary school teacher
- High school teacher
- Middle school teacher
- Physical education teacher
- Special education teacher
MAT Program Overview
Familiarize yourself with the structure of Georgia Southern University’s Master of Arts in Teaching program, including available concentrations and practicum assignments.
What You’ll Learn
Whichever MAT track you select, prepare to ground your knowledge in key areas of professional practice. To become an effective, engaging teacher, you’ll examine evidence-based strategies for instruction and assessing student learning. Through this lens, you master the principles of classroom management to maximize learning while being sensitive to a variety of backgrounds and needs. You will also study human development and create lessons that are age-appropriate and incorporate best practices for your subject area.
During supervised practicum and internship courses, you have ample opportunity to deploy what you’re learning in a classroom setting with the support of professors and skilled mentors.
See the CurriculumConcentrations
Gain the skills and knowledge you need for classroom success in one of six areas. All programs are Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC)-approved to lead to Level 5 teacher certification upon degree completion and passage of the program-aligned Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators® (GACE) content assessment.
Elementary Education (P-5)
Get the tools to help the youngest learners build the right foundation. You’ll be eligible for Georgia T-5 Elementary Education Certification (grades P-5) after successful completion of this program and the GACE Elementary Education content assessment. 45 credit hours.
Health & Physical Education (P-12)
Help young people build lifelong skills and habits for physical health and well-being. You’ll be eligible for Georgia T-5 Health and Physical Education Certification (P-12) after successful completion of this program and passing the GACE Health and Physical Education content assessment. 36 credit hours.
Middle Grades Education (4-8)
Select a concentration in language arts, mathematics, science or social studies, and learn to shepherd students through the exciting transition from childhood into their teenage years. You’ll be eligible for Georgia T-5 Middle Grades Certification (grades 4-8) after successful completion of this program. 42 credit hours.
Secondary Education (6-12)
Prepare to teach biology, broad field science, chemistry, economics, English, geography, history, mathematics, physics or political science to middle and high schoolers while qualifying for Georgia T-5 Secondary Education Certification (grades 6-12). 39 credit hours.
Spanish Education (P-12)
Usher students into the adventure of language learning using the latest teaching strategies while preparing to qualify for Georgia T-5 Spanish Education Certification (grades P-12). 33 credit hours.
Special Education (P-12)
Leverage your compassion to bring out the strengths of every learner. Upon successful completion of all program requirements and passing the GACE Special Education General Curriculum content assessment, you will qualify for Georgia T-5 Special Education General Curriculum Certification (grades P-12). 45 credit hours.
Student Teaching Internship
During multiple field placements, you’ll build confidence in teaching your focus area. In a concurrent seminar, reflect on your experiences with fellow students as you receive faculty input.
“The [MAT] program was flexible and the professors were very informative. I knew if I needed anything that I could call, text or Zoom with my professors and they would be there.”
Want to Learn More?
Explore essential information about our Master of Arts in Teaching program, including application details, accreditation status, and licensing disclosures. Gain insight into the program’s credibility and requirements to help you start your journey toward success with the knowledge you need.
To be eligible to apply to the MAT program, you need to:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have a cumulative 2.50 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) or higher for all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework combined.
- For Middle Grades, Secondary, Spanish and Special Education applicants only: Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher in content courses for your desired area of certification.
- Qualify for a Georgia Pre-Service Certificate or Provisional/Waiver Certificate. (See requirements.)
The following are required to apply for admission to all MAT programs:
- Complete the online application.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
- Submit a final, official transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, in addition to transcripts for all prior graduate-level work.
- Middle Grades, Secondary, Spanish and Special Education applicants may need to submit additional transcripts to show prerequisite content.
- Create a MyPSC account and an ETS GACE account. These are required to take GACE Assessments and obtain pre-service certification.
- Complete the state-required Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (test code 360).
- Acknowledge “Disclosure and Affirmation” statements that address the Code of Ethics for Educators and the need for tort liability insurance. These acknowledgments are represented by a section in the online application that you will initial.
- International applicants and U.S. citizens whose native language is not English must demonstrate competence in English. Applicants must take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and post a score of at least 80 (internet-based test, iBT), 213 (computer-based test) or 550 (paper-based test) on the TOEFL. The official TOEFL score may not be more than two years old. Those who do not meet the minimum proficiency standard may be recommended for enrollment in University English courses or for English courses offered by the English Language Program (ELP) on campus prior to admission to the program.
- International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES-accredited evaluation service and must be a course-by-course evaluation and include a GPA. (www.naces.org)
The following requirements are specific to particular MAT programs:
- For Middle Grades, Secondary and Spanish Education applicants only: Submit a passing score on the GACE Content Assessment in the area for which you are seeking certification.
- For Middle Grades, Secondary, Spanish and Special Education applicants only: Please submit additional transcripts to show prerequisite content. Learn more about GPA requirements and transcript evaluation.
- For MAT Spanish applicants only: Applicants must pass an Oral Proficiency Interview and a Writing Proficiency Test in Spanish at the ACTFL-defined IH or above (tests administered by the Department of Foreign Languages).
- For MAT Spanish applicants only: International applicants and U.S. citizens whose native language is not English must demonstrate competence in English. Applicants must pass an Oral Proficiency Interview and a Writing Proficiency Test in English at the ACTFL-defined IH or above (tests administered by the Department of Foreign Languages).
- For Health and Physical Education applicants only: Submit a personal statement of purpose/letter of intent that identifies your reasons for pursuing graduate study and how admission into the program relates to your professional aspirations.
Please see our Program Admission Checklist for complete instructions.
Apply NowYour application and all required materials must be submitted by the deadline. You are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible since the scores for required assessments may take up to 30 days to post.
| MAT Program | Fall Admission | Spring Admission | Summer Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education | X | X | March 15 |
| Health & Physical Education | X | X | March 15 |
| Middle Grades Education | July 1 | X | April 1 |
| Secondary Education | July 1 | X | April 1 |
| Special Education | X | X | April 1 |
| Spanish Education | July 20 | Dec. 1 | April 20 |
Prepare for where you’re going. Start from wherever you are. At Georgia Southern, enjoy the flexibility of fully online courses that fit within your busy schedule. Online instructors weave interactive experiences into each course, ensuring you engage in learning at a deeper level.
We also offer blended options, letting you complete some courses online and others in the classroom for an education that works best for you.
For All Online Programs
Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, complaint processes, adverse actions, and refunds.
For required disclosures in general with regard to online programs offered by the University, visit the Office of Legal Affairs website.
The MAT program is NCATE-accredited and Georgia Professional Standards Commission-approved. It is recognized through reciprocity in many other states in the U.S.
The College of Education anticipates that graduates of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program with one of the following concentrations: Elementary Education, Special Education, Middle Grades Education, Secondary Education, Health and Physical Education, and Spanish Education will be eligible to seek professional certification by Georgia Professional Standards Commission as a certified teacher in their respective field.
The College of Education has determined the required classes and educational activities of this academic program will qualify a graduate of this program to take the GACE exam for teacher certification in Georgia. The department has not determined whether this program satisfies the requirements of all states and territories for teacher certification in concentrations listed above.
Professional Certification Disclosure
The College of Education anticipates that graduates of the Master of Art in Teaching programs will seek state licenses or certifications.
The programs listed above lead to Level 5 Georgia teacher certification. Visit the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for more information. The College of Education has not determined where its programs will qualify a graduate to take the required exams in other states or territories. Check the requirements of your state or territory using the link provided.
Related Programs
Take the Next Step
Move forward with confidence in your teaching career through flexible, expert training in Georgia Southern’s MAT program.