Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts (MAT) in Teaching degree will lead to your initial teaching in Georgia and is inappropriate for teachers who already hold clear renewable certificates. The MAT is the degree for someone who wants hands-on teaching experience and likes to work in the classroom directly with students. The MAT focuses heavily on advanced coursework in a specific subject (see concentrations below) to enhance your expertise. 

The MAT in Teaching is standards-based and meets the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC) requirements and the Georgia Board of Regents.

At Bagwell College, our innovative teacher preparation programs are designed to fulfill state education teaching needs and contribute to the learning and achievement of Georgia’s increasingly diverse public-school population.

Your coursework will emphasize scholarly rigor through research-based practices and engagement in a variety of field-based projects as well as supervised clinical experiences. Technology and multicultural considerations are infused throughout your program.

You will choose one of five concentrations within the Master of Arts in Teaching program to complete your degree:

Secondary English (6-12)

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Secondary English program leads to a Master's degree and a teaching certificate (grades 6-12). The program is currently 15-18 months in length and enrolls in both spring and summer semesters.

The program comprises 39 total hours, including at least 9 hours of professional sequence courses and 30 hours of teaching field courses. The program is designed to be flexible enough to support you in a more extended program of study.

Depending on your previous coursework, you can substitute elective courses from the TESOL concentration and take coursework to earn your ESOL or Reading Endorsements.

Suppose you do not hold a bachelor's degree (or background coursework in) English or a closely related field. In that case, you may need to complete prerequisite coursework to be eligible for admission to the Secondary English concentration of the MAT program. Prerequisite categories and potential courses are detailed in the prerequisite approval form; please contact the program adviser for more information and guidance.

Secondary Mathematics (6-12) or Secondary Science (6-12)

The secondary mathematics or science concentration emphasizes your advancement of understanding adolescent development, educational psychology, curriculum, assessment, and teaching strategies particular to teaching secondary mathematics or secondary science.

Through a year-long clinical experience, you will apply what you learn so that you can impact the learning of all your students.

The secondary mathematics or science coursework is designed to be completed in four semesters for those who want an accelerated path to teaching. The MAT in Secondary Mathematics or Secondary Science leads to initial certification in mathematics, biology, chemistry, or physics grades 6-12.

The program comprises 36 total hours, including at least 12 hours of professional sequence courses and 18 hours of teaching field courses.

If you are a science candidate, you will take an additional six hours of content area courses determined with consultation with you adviser. Mathematics candidates will take the following sequence:

Mathematics Content Courses (6 hours)
MAED 7495: Advanced Perspectives on School Mathematics I (3 hrs.) – online
MAED 7595: Advanced Perspectives on School Mathematics II (3 hrs.) – online

MAT in TESOL

Advocating for English Learners around the world, the MAT in TESOL concentration focuses on teaching English to diverse P-12 students learning English as an additional language. Through 39 credits of coursework, you will acquire essential skills and practices for curriculum development, collaboration projects, teaching reading and writing in various content areas, and more. All TESOL courses are available online so you can easily work around your schedule. Discover specific course offerings, program admission requirements and important deadlines for declaring your concentration. 

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MAT in Special Education

A MAT in Special Education concentration will allow you to obtain your initial P-12 Certification in Special Education General Curriculum. You will work through courses that prepare you to teach diverse learners, students with disabilities and various behavioral differences. Coursework can be completed in four (4) semesters with 42 credit hours of coursework focused  on certification in Special Education and Reading Endorsement. This concentration allows for optimal flexibility, offered exclusively online with no on-campus courses required. Check out the program breakdown by semester, admission requirements, and important deadlines to declare your concentration. 

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KSU Master of Arts in Teaching students in the classroom
 

Program Snapshot

Program Format: Online and Hybrid, Varies by Concentration

Number of Credit Hours: 36-42 Total Hours Varies by Concentration

Entry Terms: Spring: English, Mathematics, Science
                          Summer: English, Mathematics, Science, Special Education & TESOL

Time to Complete: 4-6 Semesters Varies by Concentration

Application Deadlines:

  • Spring, November 1st
  • Summer, March 1st
Curriculum  Apply Now  

Admissions Requirements

  • Online Graduate Application - There is a non-refundable $60 application fee: Spring Application (only English, Math, and Secondary Science) Summer Application (English, Math, Secondary Science, Special Education, and TESOL)
  • Transcripts - Official transcripts from EACH College and/or University you have attended. Must be in a sealed envelope from the institution or sent electronically from the institution directly to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu.
  • Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment - More information can be found at http://gace.ets.org/ethics/about
  • Personal Statement - Can be uploaded into the online application. Should be 1-2 pages and explain what has led to your decision to become an educator. 
  • Resume - Can be uploaded into the online application. Should document education, any teaching experience, volunteer and service accomplishments, and record of leadership activities. 
  • Two Letters of Recommendation - Can be sent electronically through the online application. 
  • Interview - An interview may be required. If so, you will be contacted by the program to set up an interview. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN CONCENTRATIONS 

  • SECONDARY SCIENCE - Complete the appropriate GACE Content Assessment for your desired subject area. For more information, visit http://gace.ets.org/
    • BIOLOGY GACE: Test Code 026 & 027, or combined 526
    • CHEMISTRY GACE: Test Code 028 & 029 or combined 528
    • PHYSICS GACE: Test Code 030 & 031, or combined 53
  • Math: A bachelor’s degree in mathematics or completion of Calculus I and II with grades of “C” or better
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Teaching Degree Benefits at Kennesaw State

  • Approved by the GaPSC — The Georgia Professional Standards Commission fully supports all degrees for the Specialist in Secondary and Middle Grades Education at Kennesaw State University

  • Online and hybrid programs — The Ed.S. in Secondary and Middle Grades education is entirely online, providing you with flexibility for a balanced work-learn life.

What can you do with a Teaching degree?

A Master of Arts in Teaching degree can lead to various professional jobs such as:

  • High School Teacher
  • Special Education Teacher
  • Middle School Teacher
  • Elementary School Teacher
  • Superintendent
  • Standardized Test Developer 
  • Educational Consultant
  • After-School Program Director
  • Homeschool Consultant
  • Recreation Director

Master of Arts in Teaching Salary and Career Information

Department of Secondary & Middle Grades Education 

Kennesaw State University
Department of Secondary & Middle Grades Education
Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Education
Building 580 Parliament Garden Way NW
Mail Drop #0122
Kennesaw, GA 30144

Phone: 470-578-6458

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1Program tuition is an estimate based on the average student's time to complete. Costs for books, travel, other miscellaneous fees (parking, labs, graduation, etc.) are not included. Tuition and fee changes are posted in the Spring and are effective for Fall semester. Please note that fees are subject to change at the end of any academic term without prior notice. For additional information, see tuition and fees or graduate program financial aid.