PROGRAM DESCRIPTION & COURSE OUTLINE
MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING IN SECONDARY
CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS, OR BIOLOGY

Program of Study
Degree Requirements
Scholarship
Certification
Cost
New Website for the MAT in Science

The MAT program in Secondary Chemistry, Physics, or Biology is designed to meet the increasing demand to provide accelerated teaching certification routes for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in the content areas of chemistry, physics, or biology. Candidates will earn certification in a single science discipline (chemistry, physics, or biology) depending on their area of interest and previous educational background. The program consists of a total of 48 credit hours divided between education coursework, science content, and in-school field experiences.

The program is designed for completion in 13 months (Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer) for those well qualified students who want an accelerated path into teaching. Students also have the option of spreading the program over two or three years, which is the advised path for those teaching on nonrenewable certificates.

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PROGRAM OF STUDY

Sample Program of Study
Please link below:
Program of Study
for New Candidates
Summer 2008
(For MAT in Secondary Physics or Chemistry Only)

PROFESSIONAL SEQUENCE: 15 Semester Hours Required
EDUC 6100 Development, Psychology, and Diversity of the Learner (5 semester hours)
EDUC 6100L Practicum I (1 semester hour)
EDUC 6200 Curriculum, Assessment, and Management (3 semester hours)
EDUC 6300 Research Methods and Critiques (3 semester hours)
EDUC 6400 Capstone Seminar (3 semester hours)

TEACHING FIELD: 15 Semester Hours Required
SCED 6416 Teaching of Science (6 semester hours)
SCED 6417 Teaching of Science Practicum (3 semester hours)
SCED 6475 Science Teaching Practicum II (6 semester hours)

SCIENCE FOR TEACHERS: Select 9 Semester Hours Only
SCI 7725 Chemistry (3 semester hours)
SCI 7726 Life Science (3 semester hours)
SCI 7727 Physical Science (3 semester hours)
SCI 7728 Earth Science (3 semester hours)
SCI 7729 Space Science (3 semester hours)

CHEMISTRY CONCENTRATION: Select 9 Semester Hours Only
CHEM 5010 Medicinal Chemistry (3 semester hours)
CHEM 5400 Teaching and Learning Chemistry (3 semester hours)
CHEM 5700 Environmental Chemistry (3 semester hours)
CHEM 5800 Forensic Analytical Chemistry (3 semester hours)
CHEM 6310 Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry (3 semester hours)
CHEM 6420 Identification of Organic Compounds (3 semester hours)
CHEM 6440 Polymer Chemistry (3 semester hours)
CHEM 6XXX Advanced Topics in Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, Physical, Biochem)
(3 semester hours)

PHYSICS CONCENTRATION: Select 9 semester hours only
PHYS 5100 Classical Mechanics and Applications (3 semester hours)
PHYS 5305 Physics of the Micro World and the Cosmos (3 semester hours)
PHYS 5340 Electronics (3 semester hours)
PHYS 5400 Electricity and Magnetism (3 semester hours)

BIOLOGY CONCENTRATION: Select 9 semester hours only
Pending Approval.

PROGRAM TOTAL: 48 SEMESTER HOURS

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DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Full Standing
All application materials will be reviewed by the program admission committee in assessing the applicant’s potential for success in the program. Admissions will be competitive.

Degree Requirements
The requirements for completion of the Masters of Arts in Teaching include:

1) completion of a minimum of 48 hours of approved graduate course work with no grades below “C” (See Academic Policies of Graduate Catalog for more information about grades of “C” and below.);
2) completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours of the minimum 48 hours in full standing at Kennesaw State University;
3)an earned cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all graduate coursework at Kennesaw StateUniversity;
4) successful completion of all field experiences; and
5) successful completion of a professional portfolio.

Portfolio
The portfolio is designed to document the candidate’s development of expertise as a teacher-leader and the candidate’s impact on student achievement. The portfolio provides a detailed picture of the candidate’s growth as a professional and reflective analysis of the integration of courses taken supported by theory and research literature.

Transfer Credit
Graduate courses taken at other accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program coordinator. A maximum of nine semester hours of transfer credit (with grades of B or better) may be applied toward a degree program. No courses will be accepted for transfer credit if they are more than five years old at the time of evaluation. Transfer credit includes all course work accepted into the M.A.T. program prior to admission in full standing (maximum nine semester hours), whether earned at another institution or at Kennesaw State University.

Petition to Graduate
Each M.A.T. candidate must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. The candidates must contact their department or the Office of the Registrar and request a petition.

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SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Kennesaw State University , in partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) has received funding from the National Science Foundation to provide $10,000 per year, up to two years ($20,000 total) for students interested in pursuing science teaching through KSU's MAT Science program. More details can be found at the scholarship website ( http://www.ganoycescholars.org/ ).

The state of Georgia has a cancelable loan program called the Hope Teacher Scholarship Loan to help pay for teacher education programs up to $3000 per year. More information can be found on their website at: http://www.gacollege411.org/FinAid/LoanPrograms/hope_teacher_scholarship.asp

The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation Fellowship ( http://kstf.org/Default.aspx ) provides five-year fellowships for students with undergraduate or advanced degrees in math, science, and engineering who want to become high school teachers. The fellowship supports students while they are in a recognized teacher certification program and in there first years of teaching, providing funding, networking, and professional development opportunities.

Some teachers who have taken out federal student loans may be eligible for loan forgiveness. For more information, see the IFAP library web pages http://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0414.html

This scholarship seeks to fund career chemists who decide to pursue a chemistry teaching career. Up to $6000/yr for full-time students accepted into KSU's MAT program, or $3000 for part-time students.
http://www.hachscientificfoundation.org/teachers.shtml

CERTIFICATION

For additional information on certification, please e-mail
Kellie Oxford koxford@kennesaw.edu,
Certification Officer in the Teacher Education Advisement Center at KSU.

For additional information on the M.A.T. in Secondary Chemistry, Physics or Biology,
please email Alisha Bello abello1@kennesaw.edu
Graduate Coordinator in the Teacher Education Advisement Center at KSU.