Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary Education

School of Education

The School of Education offers three B.S.Ed. programs that lead to certification in Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education, and Special Education, and one M.A.T. program that leads to certification in Secondary Education.

Master of Arts in Teaching - Secondary Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education (MATSE) is a hybrid, pedagogy-only degree program designed for bachelor's degree holders seeking initial certification in a secondary teaching field, grades 6-12. Students in the MAT in SEC degree program will complete coursework in research-based pedagogies and a year-long student teaching experience at an area middle (6-8) or high (9-12) school. The MATSE is designed to meet two goals which focus on: 1) Advanced planning for and application of content, pedagogy, and pedagogical content knowledge, and 2) Strengthening professional dispositions, critical reflection, and collaboration. This program is well-suited for career changers, current educators seeking certification in a 6-12 discipline, and those seeking employment in 6-12 classroom.

Graduate students in the School of Education must meet all admission, academic progression and graduation requirements.

In addition, the Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary Education has the following requirements:

Applicants must complete the GGC online application for graduate admission and the application fee.
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended demonstrating completion of a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum overall cumulative 2.75 GPA.
Applicants must complete a background check (for obtaining a preservice teaching certificate with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission).
Applicants must pass the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators Exam (GACE) content knowledge testlet(s) in their desired teaching field prior to matriculation.
Applicants must submit a Personal Statement of Teaching.
Applicants must submit a current resume.
Courses are taught 100% online except for SEC 5800 & 5900, which are field-based courses supervised by GGC SOE faculty.
Methods courses are offered in a hybrid format and require students to come on-campus for at least one full Saturday.
If employed at the time of study, candidates must provide a letter of support from the school principal.
Students who hold a provisional certificate and are the teacher-of-record in a teaching position that aligns with their program concentration and grade band (i.e., content area AND a 6-12 classroom) will complete their fieldwork in their own classroom for the foursemester online degree program.
Students must pass the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators Exam (GACE) Literacy Assessment, which is required for all teaching field candidates in addition to the content knowledge assessment, prior to program completion.

Program Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

The MATSE degree program (pedagogy-only) is designed for undergraduate degree holders seeking initial certification in a secondary teaching field, grades 6-12. Designed as a fully online program, graduate students will complete coursework in research-based theories and pedagogies, while completing an intensive clinical at participating middle or high schools. Since MATSE degree program candidates matriculate having passed the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators (GACE), the MATSE degree program is designed to meet two goals which focus on: 1) Advanced planning for and application of content, pedagogy, and pedagogical content knowledge, and 2) Strengthening professional dispositions, critical reflection, and collaboration.

To that end, and guided by the InTasc Model Core Teaching Standards, there are five student learning outcomes:

1. MAT.1: Candidates build and sustain learning environments that encourage positive social interaction and support active academic engagement.

2. MAT.2: Candidates understand the central concepts of their discipline.

3. MAT.3: Candidates utilize a variety of appropriate content strategies to plan accessible learning experiences for all students in their classroom.

4. MAT.4: Candidates implement content that connects concepts of their discipline to engage students in critical thinking. MATSE candidates assess student learning using a variety of assessment tools to guide student learning and teacher decision-making.

5. MAT.5: Candidates take responsibility for student learning, collaborate with students, parents, and colleagues, and through reflection, seek ways to advance the field

Major Required Courses; 30 hours

Major Electives Courses 3 Hours

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