Master of Arts in Teaching

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program in Health and Physical Education is designed to provide both a master’s degree and initial teacher certification at the T-5 level for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field of study (e.g. exercise science, athletic training). Certification in this field is for grades Pre-K through 12. The M.A.T. provides professional and pedagogical studies that develop proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and habits of beginning teachers. While specific course work is in place to ensure meeting teacher certification requirements set by the Professional Standards Commission, aspects of the program are individually designed based on a transcript evaluation.

Educator Preparation at Columbus State University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the M.A.T. program and passing scores on the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) basic skills and content tests allow the candidate to be recommended to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for teacher certification at the T-5 level (i.e., the letter “T” indicates that the certificate is in a teaching field and the number “5” indicates that the candidate’s highest degree is a master’s degree recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission).

Admission Requirements

• Degree in related field or a minimum of 25 semester hours of approved coursework
• Transcript evaluation
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (regular admission) or 2.50 (provisional admission) on all undergraduate work
• Satisfactory scores on the general portion (quantitative and verbal) of the Revised Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with "writing assessment" component; OR passing scores on the GACE content examinations required in the intended teacher certification field
• Admission to the Teacher Education Program (go to http://safe.columbusstate.edu/teacher_ed.php for more information)

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Possess a strong knowledge base in the disciplines of health and physical education
• Demonstrate competence in a variety of physical skills
• Achieve and maintain a health enhancing level of physical fitness
• Apply and reflect on effective teaching behaviors to create positive learning environments in order to plan, implement and assess developmentally appropriate learning experiences and sound progression in P-12 settings and use technology when appropriate
• Demonstrate the ability to meet the needs of students of varying ability levels, genders, and racial and cultural backgrounds

Additional Program Requirements

• 3.0 GPA calculated on all graduate work attempted. "Academic Forgiveness" policy does not apply to graduate studies
• Students cannot graduate with a grade of "C" or below in more than two (2) graduate courses
• Minimum of 27 hours of the hours required for the degree must be earned in residence (75%) Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence
• Maximum of nine (9) semester hours of transfer credit or courses taken at CSU prior to full admission to a masters degree program may be applied toward the degree. Courses with earned grades of "C" or below cannot be transferred. The student’s advisor and the coordinator of the program in which the student is enrolled must approve any courses transferred
• All degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) years of first enrollment
• Students must pass a written comprehensive examination 

Program of Study

Area 1 Professional Core Required Hours: 17-18
EDCI 6227 Foundations of Education - Human Development, Motivation, and Learning
EDUF 6116 Educational Research Methods
PHED 5485 Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education

Select 2-3 hours from:
EDUF 4205 Technology for the 21st Century Classroom
EDUT 6105 Technology Infusion

Area 2 Concentration Required Hours: 28-34
Health Education (Select 3 hours from the following):
HESC 5107 Human Sexuality
HESC 5795 Seminar in Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Select 2 hours from the following:
PHED 5218 Teaching Health in P-8 Schools
PHED 5219 Teaching Health in High School

Physical Education (20 hours):
PHED 3217 Physical Education in the Elementary School
PHED 5215 The Development of Motor Skills: A Lifespan Perspective
PHED 5216 Physical Education in the High School
PHED 6116 Analysis of Teaching Behavior in Physical Education

Select three hours from:
PHED 4245 Physical Activity for Students with Disabilities
PHED 6219 PE for Student with Disabilities

Select three hours from:
PHED 6215 Physical Education for Children
PHED 6216 Middle Level Physical Education
PHED 6217 Physical Education in the Secondary School

Additional Hours in Major Required (3-9 hours): 
HESC, PHED or other approved course

Area 3 Other Requirements Required Hours: 0
EDUF 6000  M.Ed. Exit Examination
PHED 4000 Fitness Assessment Entrance (Entering Semester)
PHED 4000 Fitness Testing for Health and Physical Education Majors (Mid Program)

Total Required Hours: 45-52

Note: This plan of study will be determined by the program coordinator based on an evaluation of each student's transcripts and educational experiences.