Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree leads to initial certification of well-qualified candidates. The MAT is standards-based and meets the requirements of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and the Georgia Board of Regents. Our innovative teacher preparation programs respond to state needs and contribute to the learning and achievement of Georgia’s P-12 school population. The responsibility for teacher education is shared by faculty in the College of the Arts, the Bagwell College of Education, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Science and Mathematics, the College of Health and Human Services, and the Graduate College in collaboration with master teachers and administrators in local schools.

Course work emphasizes 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 the programs. This master’s degree leads to initial certification and is not appropriate for teachers who already hold clear, renewable certificates.

Currently, there are nine concentrations within the Master of Arts in Teaching degree program, including

• Elementary Education (P-5)
• Pedagogy-Only (P-12) 
• Secondary English (6-12)
• Secondary Mathematics (6-12)
• Secondary Biology (6-12)
• Secondary Chemistry (6-12)
• Secondary Physics (6-12)
• Special Education (P-12)
• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL; P-12)

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Demonstrate their understanding of current research-based practices and the ability to effectively plan and implement curriculum utilizing a range of instructional strategies to meet the needs of all learners.
2. Demonstrate their understanding of appropriate research-based assessment strategies and their ability to design and implement effective assessment tools to measure student progress.
3. Demonstrate their ability to create a positive, student-centered, and academically challenging learning environment where all students feel welcomed and valued.
4. Demonstrate professional dispositions and the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders.

 

 This program is a part of the Clarice C. and Leland H. Bagwell College of Education . 

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment
• Resume
• GaPSC Application for Pre-Service Certification (Note: This step occurs after acceptance by the Graduate College, prior to enrolling in courses and is a GaPSC requirement)

*Individual concentrations may have additional admission requirements: 

Secondary English (6-12)

• A bachelor’s degree in English or a related field from an accredited institution or completion of 18 prerequisite hours that demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in English.

Secondary Mathematics (6-12)

• A bachelor’s degree in Mathematics or a related field from an accredited institution or completion of 18 prerequisite hours that demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge within the domains of Number, Algebra and Functions, Calculus, Probability and Statistics, and Geometry, Trigonometry, and Measurement.

Secondary Science- Physics (6-12)

• A bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution or completion of 21 prerequisite hours that demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge. 

Secondary Science- Chemistry (6-12)

• A bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution or completion of 21 prerequisite hours that demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge. 

Secondary Science- Biology (6-12)

• A bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or a related field from an accredited institution or completion of 21 prerequisite hours that demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge. 

Special Education (P-12)

• Nothing additional. 

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (P-12)

• Nothing additional. 

Elementary Education (P-5)

• Nothing additional. 

Pedagogy-Only (P-12)

• Evidence of expertise in the content of the field of certification sought. This can be accomplished through one of three options:
• A bachelor’s degree with a major in the field of certification sought,
• A passing score on the Georgia state-approved content assessment (GACE) in the field of certification sought, or
• Completion of 21 prerequisite hours that demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in the field of certification sought.  

Transfer Credit

Graduate courses taken at other accredited institutions must be evaluated and approved by the program coordinator and comply with the KSU Graduate College policy. No courses will be accepted for transfer credit if they are more than five years old at the time of evaluation.

Enrollment Criteria

In addition to meeting the requirements of Academic Policy 4.0 ACADEMIC STANDING, DISMISSAL, & REINSTATEMENT , students are expected to meet the following enrollment criteria: 

• Maintain a GaPSC Pre-Service or Provisional Teaching Certificate through entirety of degree program.

• Earn the required Graduate College cumulative grade-point average in all graduate coursework at Kennesaw State University.

• Successful completion of all field and clinical experiences.

• Candidates must attempt the GACE Content exams, aligned with program of entry and certification field being sought, during year-long clinical and before degree will be awarded.  Passing scores on these exams are required for certification.

Graduation Criteria

In addition to meeting the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION,  students must also meet the following criteria: 

A degree is granted by Kennesaw State University upon completion of all university and program requirements while meeting minimum requirements. Candidates completing a program in education that prepares teachers at the Masters level, and petitioning KSU for a degree, are expected to have met the following requirements:

1. 3.0 institutional adjusted GPA at Kennesaw State University. 
2. Grade of “B” or higher in a designated Exceptional Child course taken to fulfill the Georgia HB671 - Education of the Child with Exceptionalities requirement, as set forth by the GaPSC (i.e., INED 6400 or both INED 7710 and INED 7650 for the Special Education concentration). 
3. Maintenance of a current GaPSC issued Pre-Service Certificate. 
4. Responsible professional behavior in all classes, field experiences, and interactions with peers and faculty. 
5. Acceptable dispositions as determined by program faculty. 
6. Attempted all GACE Assessments, aligned with the field and concentration(s), as required by the GaPSC for program completion. Attempts must be made by November 15 for Fall degree completion, April 15 for Spring degree completion or July 1 for Summer degree completion. 
7. Successful completion of the Yearlong Clinical Experience (YCE) while demonstrating the achievement of program and unit outcomes and proficiencies through the following: 
   • The entire YCE experience unless otherwise stated by the program area.
   • Candidate Assessment on Performance Standards (CAPS) (The evaluation instrument used for clinical experiences)

Note: Application for GaPSC certification is made within five years of degree completion. Delaying application beyond five years may result in additional course work or exam requirements to demonstrate that the candidate meets current knowledge requirements. 

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Program Course Requirements