MAT Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is an M.A.T. degree and what content areas are involved?
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and/or have a provisional teaching certificate.
Admission to the MAT program requires an earned baccalaureate degree in
mathematics (or a closely related field) from an accredited college
or university. The program will
consist of content specific classes, professional studies classes, content
methods courses, and field-based and clinical experiences. Additional
courses will emphasize use of technology and action research with pupils in
diverse school settings.
What prerequisite mathematics content courses do I need for admission to the program?
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is designed for individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree in mathematics (or a closely related field such as Physics, Statistics, Mechanical Engineering, etc.) from an accredited college or university. All students are expected to have had the following undergraduate courses: Calculus I, Calculus II, Calculus III, Linear Algebra, and at least 2 additional upper-division mathematics courses. Students who have not completed at least three of these prerequisite courses will not be considered for full admission into the program. Individuals without the required prerequisite courses are expected to complete undergraduate course work to compensate for any deficiencies.
When will classes meet?
This program will offer evening courses for a cohort of part-time candidates but will become full-time during student teaching. Full-time student teaching status will be given to candidates who are teaching with a provisional certificate in a public school system.
What is the organization of the program?
The curriculum will be delivered over four semesters beginning with Summer I, Fall semester, Spring semester, and ending with Summer II. The MAT program is designed to provide courses and field experiences to support candidates’ educational foundation theory and knowledge during the first summer, and content and pedagogical knowledge, skills and dispositions with practica and internship experiences during fall and spring semesters. The last summer session will consist of completing an action research project and finishing content courses. Faculty in the Departments of Language and Literature and Mathematics will teach content courses. All professional education courses and clinical and internship experiences will be taught and supervised by education faculty and public school mentor teachers. Our partnership school districts will serve as collaborative sites for field experiences and internships.
What are the objectives of the program:
The objectives of the program are to:
- Provide an alternative route for initial certification for those who have a bachelor’s degree, but do not hold a teaching certificate;
- Respond to Georgia’s need for more quality mathematics and English teachers;
- Produce highly qualified collaborative, reflective professional educators who are competent, caring and committed; and
- Respond to the BOR P-16 Office’s Double the Number, Double the Diversity Initiative