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Master of Arts in Teaching - Middle Grades Education - Columbus State University

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Academics

Master of Arts in Teaching - Middle Grades Education

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program in middle grades education is designed for individuals holding a bachelor's degree in a closely related field who wish to obtain a teaching certificate and master's degree in middle grades education. Certification in this field is for grades 4 through 8. The M.A.T. provides professional and pedagogical studies that develop proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and habits of beginning teachers. Candidates must select two concentrations (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Reading) and have a minimum of 15 hours of coursework in each concentration.

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 to determine content courses needed for certification.
  • Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (regular admission) or 2.50 (provisional admission) on all undergraduate work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree
  • 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 Teacher Education – Go to http://safe.columbusstate.edu/teacher_ed.php for additional information.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:
  • Demonstrate proficiency in using a wide range of instructional strategies and differentiating instruction to help all students learn
  • Demonstrate proficiency in assessing student learning and using assessment data to improve teaching and learning
  • Apply and add to the body of educational research related to teaching and learning
  • Display ongoing reflection and growth regarding values, commitments, dispositions, and habits associated with effective and professional teaching

Additional Program Requirements

  • Students must earn a 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
  • A 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
  • A 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.

Program of Study

Area 1 Foundations Required Hours: 10
EDCI 6226 Instructional Applications
EDCI 6227 Foundations of Education: Human Development, Motivation & Learning
EDCI 6228 Foundations of Education: Special Education
EDCI 6796 Introduction to Teaching and Inquiry-Based Lesson Design

Area 2 Teaching Field Studies Required Hours: 17-18
EDMG 4222 Teaching Math in Middle Grades 2 (practicum included with course)
Science Concentration
 EDMG 4245 Social Studies in the Middle Grades (practicum included with course)

Area 3 Professional Practice Required Hours: 8-12
EDCI 6698 Teaching Internship (2 semesters - 6 hrs.)
OR
EDCI 6485 Student Teaching (one semester - 10 hrs.)

EDUF 6125 Classroom Management

Area 4 Advanced Studies Required Hours: 11
EDCI 6158 Trends and Issues in Middle and Sec Education
EDCI 6255 Teacher Inquiry and Investigation
EDUF 6116 Research Methods
Select 3 hours from primary concentration area as approved by advisor

Total Required Hours: 46-50

Note: A minimum of 25 semester hours of approve coursework is required for admission to the MAT program. Additional hours of content coursework may be required depending on content background. Prospective students must request a transcript evaluation and meet with program coordinator to determine content courses needed for certification. Teacher candidates must demonstrate proficiency in 2 concentration areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Reading). Fifteen hours of content coursework is required for each concentration area.

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