Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education with Initial Teacher Certification (6-12)
Do you already have a degree but want to be a teacher?
ARE YOU A GOOD FIT?
- Desire to teach in a high school
- Pursuing a new career or new college degree
- Bachelor's degree in biology, mathematics, English or history
- Seeking an initial teaching certification
The MAT in Secondary Education with Initial Teacher Certification program prepares the candidate who holds a bachelor's degree in biology, English, history, or mathematics from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) accredited institution.
The MAT program is a full-time hybrid program with off-site placement of its graduate interns at Professional Development Schools in the Bibb County School District, Macon, Georgia.
Developed with a key partnership in the Bibb County School District, this MAT degree program is designed to address a critical need for highly qualified and effective secondary school teachers in the middle Georgia area.
The MAT will provide a pathway to initial teacher certification and foster applied research in the areas of teacher practice, student achievement, professional development, assessment, and innovation for graduates who already have earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology or mathematics or a Bachelor of Arts in English or history.
The mission of the Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education with Initial Teacher Certification (MAT) program is to prepare adaptive professionals who are competent, accountable, reflective, and engaged.
Admission Requirements
The MAT program is cohort based and admits students every summer semester. Admission into the MAT program is competitive and granted on a space available basis. Students must:
- Complete an online application for admission
- Provide a statement of purpose- This is a short 500-word or less essay describing why you want to pursue a graduate degree in Teaching: Secondary Education, how it will help you realize your ultimate career goals, and why the program you are applying to is your best fit
- Provide a resume
- Have two letters of recommendation from professional or academic sources submitted to graduate admissions.
- Submit an official transcript indicating the awarding of a bachelor's degree in biology, English, history, or mathematics from a GaPSC accredited institution.
- Be in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all courses to include tranfer, transient, or courses taken as a part of a prior degree
- Present a passing score on the GACE Program Admissions Assessment (250 and above on all areas) or show evidence of exemption from any of the following national exam scores: SAT – minimum combined score of 1000 on SAT verbal/math; ACT minimum combined score of 43 on English/Math; or GRE minimum combined score of 1030 on verbal/quantitative prior to August 1, 2011 or minimum combined score of 297 on verbal/quantitative if taken after August 1, 2011.
- Provide passing scores at the Professional Level (250+) on the GACE content area assessments for your degree.
- Complete a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate application which includes the verification of lawful presence.
- Complete the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment. Student must provide proof of completion of the Georgia Educator Ethics Entry Assessment (350G).
- The School of Education and Behavioral Sciences will request a Pre-Service Certificate from the GaPSC for the prospective candidate. The decision to issue the Pre-Service Certificate resides solely with the GaPSC.
- Upon receipt of a copy of the Pre-Service Certificate by the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences, the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences will notify in writing the prospective candidate of their acceptance.
- Upon acceptance, students are referred to as “graduate interns” and will require to provide a clear criminal background check through HRtrue check.
- Graduate interns must be available during regular public school day hours for practicums.
- Graduate interns must present proof of having liability insurance and a Livetext account.
- To acknowledge their understanding of its requirements, graduate interns must sign their program of study and are required to follow the program of study as prepared by the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Deviations from that program without prior consent from the Dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences will result in dismissal from the School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
Testing Requirements for Applicants
- In order to gain eligibility for testing you must create or update your MyPSC account at www.gapsc.com using your legal name as shown on your ID documents you will present on the day of testing.
- For the GACE Program Admission Assessment select reason #1 “I am testing to satisfy the Program Admission Assessment requirement.”
- For the GACE Content Assessments select reason #3 “I am taking a content assessment to gain eligibility for employment and plan to complete a state-approved program such as GaTAPP, a certification-only program, or a Master's degree with a certification program embedded.”
- For the Georgia Educator Ethics Entry Assessment select reason #7 “I am taking the Program Entry level of the Georgia Educator Ethics or the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership assessment.”
- You must add the program (Middle Georgia State University) you are seeking admissions into as a score recipient.
- ETS sends you an email with a link to the assessment requested.
- Access the assessment system, select Test Takers under Registration, create your account, and register and pay the fee online.
GACE Program Admission Assessment (combined Test I, II, and III -700)
- Test I – Reading (200)
- Test II – Mathematics (201)
- Test III – Writing (202)
Students must have a passing score of 250 and abobe on all areas of GACE program admissions.
Students can exempt GACE Program Admissions with the following exams scores:
- SAT- minimum combined score of 1000 on critical reading and math
- ACT- minimum combined score of 43 on English and math
- GRE- minimum combined scored of 1030 on verbal and quantitative prior to August 1, 2011 or minimum combined score of 297 on verbal and quantitative if taken after August 1, 2011
GACE Content Assessments
- Biology – Part I (026) and Part II (027) – (Combined Test I and II – 526)
- English – Part I (020) and Part II (021) – (Combined Test I and II – 520)
- History – Part I (034) and Part II (035) – (Combined Test I and II – 534)
- Mathematics – Part I (022) and Part II (023) – (Combined Test I and II – 522)
Student must pass at the professional level (250+) on all areas of GACE content assessment.
GACE Educator Ethics Entry Assessment (350)
