Master of Arts in Teacher Education with Initial Teacher Certification -Pedagogy Only Specialization (6-12/P-12)
Due to the health and safety concerns for both GACE test takers and test center staff stemming from the coronavirus (COVID-19), ETS testing has been affected in many countries. FOR CURRENT AND UPDATED TESTING SITE INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE GACE WEBSITE.
Do you already have a degree but want to be a teacher?
ARE YOU A GOOD FIT?
- Desire to teach in a P-12* or high school environment
- Pursuing a new career or new college degree
- Bachelor's degree by a GaPSC accredited/approved institution
- Seeking an initial teaching certification in a specialized content area
The MAT in Teacher Education with Initial Teacher Certification program prepares the candidate who holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university approved by Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) institution. Our specialization content areas are here*.
The online MAT program is a three semester long cohort program, with off-site placement of its graduate interns at partner school districts in the Middle Georgia area, and across the state of Georgia.
This pedagogy-focused MAT degree program is designed to address a critical need for highly qualified and effective school teachers in the Middle Georgia area, and across the state of Georgia.
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's from a GaPSC accredited/approved institution.
The mission of the Master of Arts in Teacher Education with Initial Teacher Certification (MAT) program is to prepare adaptive professionals who are competent, accountable, reflective, and engaged.
For answers to our frequently asked questions, click here.
Admission Requirements
The MAT program is cohort based and admits students every spring and summer semester. Admission into the MAT program is competitive and is granted on a space available basis. We may not have the enrollment capacity to accept all eligible applicants. Therefore, meeting the minimum GPA and GACE scores does not guarantee admission. Students must:
- Be admitted to Middle Georgia State University (MGA) in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on all courses to include transfer, transient, or taken as a part of a prior degree.
- Complete an online application for admission.
- Statement of Applicant Goals for Graduate Studies The Statement of Applicant Goals for Graduate Study is a short 500 word or less essay describing why you want to pursue a graduate degree in Teaching: Secondary (grades 6-12) or grades P-12 Education in your specialization area and how it will help you realize your ultimate career goals, and why the program you are applying to is your best fit.
- Résumé Your current, targeted résumé or CV that includes all relevant paid and volunteer experience, as well as your professional experience to date. Be sure to list contact information for those who wrote your reference letters.
- Two Letters of Recommendation from Academic or Professional Sources The Letters of Recommendation are typed letters from academic or professional sources. Letters must be on a official letterhead, signed and then faxed, mailed, or scanned to the Office of Graduate Studies by the reference.
- Official transcript indicating the awarding of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university approved by the GaPSC.
- GACE Program Admissions Assessment Provide a passing score of 250 or above on all areas or show evidence of exemption from any of the following national exam scores: SAT – minimum combined score of 1080 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. For SAT score report dated 7/1/19 or after, 1080 is required on Evidence based Reading/Writing and Math. Note: GACE PAA composite score will not be accepted for the graduate-level MAT program.
- GACE Content Exam Provide passing scores at the Professional Level ( 250 or above) on all GACE content area assessment for your prospective area of certification. Students should update their MyPSC accounts at www.gapsc.com to request appropriate GACE Content scores be submitted to MGA.
- Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360) Provide proof of completion.
- The prospective student will be notified in writing (via email) by the Teacher Education Program of his or her acceptance and will be referred to as a “graduate intern.”
- Upon acceptance, provide a clear criminal background check through HR Tru check.
- Upon acceptance, complete a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate application which includes the verification of lawful presence. Student is responsible for requesting a Pre-Service Certificate through their GaPSC account. Student's can only submit a Pre-Service certificate application to GaPSC upon receiving acceptance to the MAT program. The decision to issue the Pre-Service Certificate resides solely with GaPSC.
- Graduate interns must be available during regular public school day hours for practicum and clinical.
- Upon acceptance, graduate interns must present proof of having liability insurance.
- To acknowledge their understanding of its requirements, graduate interns must sign their program of study and contract agreement. Deviations from the program of study without prior consent from the Graduate Program Coordinator or Chair of the Department of Teacher Education and Social Work will result in dismissal from the Teacher Education Program.
- If a graduate intern cannot obtain a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate, acceptance into this program will be revoked.
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Admissions Deadlines MAT
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Semester
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Regular Admissions
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Provisional Consideration
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Classes Begin
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Spring
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October 15
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None
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January 12, 2022
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Summer
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March 15
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None
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May 23, 2022
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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 Assessment (360) select reason #7 “I am taking the Program Exit level of the Georgia Educator Ethics or the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership assessment.”
- You must add the program (Middle Georgia State University) as a score recipient.
- ETS will send you an email with a link to the requested assessment.
- 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 (210)
- Test II – Mathematics (211)
- Test III – Writing (212)
Students must receive a passing score of 250 or above on all areas of GACE Program Admissions Assessment. Note: GACE PAA composite score will not be accepted for the graduate-level MAT program.
Students can exempt GACE Program Admissions with the following exams scores:
- SAT- minimum combined score of 1080 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: Student must pass at the professional level (250 or above) on all areas of GACE content assessment. Visit the GACE ETS website for testing schedule dates and score reporting windows.
GACE Ethics Assessment (G360): The Georgia Ethics assessment is computer delivered via the web-based Georgia Ethics assessment system. Designed for beginning and currently practicing teachers, the Georgia Educator Ethics assessment (Test Code 360) focuses primarily on scenarios that could occur in the day-to-day life of a teacher in a classroom. The Georgia Ethics assessments are reported as "Passed" or "Not Passed." Once you have successfully passed the assessment, you will be able to print a certificate that indicates your status.
