Secondary Math and Science: Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) ONLINE

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Secondary Math and Science is an online degree offered cooperatively by five institutions: Columbus State University, Georgia Southern University, Kennesaw State University, University of West Georgia, and Valdosta State University, all fully accredited institutions in the University System of Georgia. This program targets career changers who are interested in entering the teaching profession and who possess the prerequisite educational background in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a related field. Teacher certification options available through this degree include Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth/Space Science at the secondary level (i.e., certification in grades 6-12).

Individuals choose the online M.A.T. in Secondary Math and Science Education because of its accreditation, quality, and fit with their busy lifestyles. Classes are offered each Fall, Spring, and Summer semester, permitting students to complete the program in six consecutive semesters. Students may enter the program during fall semester only. The program follows a 15-week semester schedule for Spring and Fall Semester and a modified schedule for Summer Semester.

The online MAT in Secondary Math and Science Education was approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in March 2009.

Admission Requirements

Admission requires:

• A bachelor's degree in a related field as defined by Professional Standards Commission (click here (DOC) for list of related fields) or 26-44 hours of approved content coursework from a regionally accredited institution in the intended field of certification (click here (DOC) for list of approved content courses);
• Minimum combined GPA of 2.5 on all undergraduate and graduate coursework;
• Passing score on the GACE¹ Basic Skills Tests² [Reading (200), Mathematics (201), Writing (202)] or exemption through satisfactory scores on the SAT, ACT, GRE, or having a masters degree or above from a PSC-accepted accredited institution
  

  GACE Basic Skills Exemption Scores

  • SAT – 1000 (combination of Verbal and Math scores)
  • ACT – 43 (combination of English and Math scores)
  • GRE – Combined score of 1030 (Verbal and Quantitative) on tests taken before August 1, 2011 or combined score of 297 (Verbal and Quantitative) on tests taken after August 1, 2011

• Passing scores on the GACE content examinations** required in the intended teacher certification field;
• Criminal background check; Students must submit a copy of their cleared background check or a letter from their school on official school letterhead stating that they have undergone a background check as a condition of employment. To request a background check, go to http://safe.columbusstate.edu/ and on the left hand side, click on “Background Checks” and follow the directions.
• Suitability for teaching as determined through the admissions process.

Admission to the program is available for fall semester only.

*If an individual passed all three parts of the Praxis I or posted a composite score of 526 on the three tests prior to March 5, 2007, he or she is exempt from the GACE Basic Skills Tests.

**Required GACE content exams:

Certification Field	Required GACE Content Tests
Biology	Test I (026) Test II (027)
Chemistry	Test I (028) Test II (029)
Earth/Space Science	Test I (024) Test II (025)
Mathematics	Test I (022) Test II (023)
Physics	Test I (030) Test II (031)

Note: Praxis II or TCT Tests passed prior to March 5, 2007, in certification content fields are valid and may be used in place of the GACE content tests. A candidate may not combine a Praxis test score with a GACE test score to meet the testing requirement in a content field. All tests within a GACE assessment (or Praxis, if taken before March 5, 2007) must be passed.

Additional GACE Content examination information can be found at http://www.gace.nesinc.com/

To seek admission to the M.A.T. Secondary Math and Science, apply online now at Apply Now.

Note: If you have never taken an online class at CSU, you will need to complete the Smarter Measure Assessment before you can register for classes. You can access the survey by going to www.online.columbusstate.edu. Under the Resources tab, click Smarter Measure Assessment, and follow the directions. The user id is csuready and the password is cougars. Students will be identified by their Cougarnet email address.

Online Options

All coursework and assignments are completed online. Some courses require 30-90 hours of field experience within the grades 6-12 setting. Students who are working full-time in a 6-12 classroom will not be able to complete all field experience hours in their own classrooms or in their own schools. Field experience is required in grades 6-8 and grades 9-12 and must include experiences in diverse settings. Student teaching is one full semester (15 weeks) and requires students to work full-time in a grades 6-12 classroom. Students must have access to Webcam software and hardware to enable remote classroom observation and conferencing.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the online 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).

Faculty

Top graduate faculty from each school teach the courses.

Requirements for Graduation

This innovative degree program combines online coursework with practicum experiences in both middle and secondary schools and leads to initial certification at the T-5 level. The 39-hour program is based on the Georgia Framework for Teaching which supports six domains: content & curriculum, knowledge of students & their learning, learning environments, assessment, planning & instruction, and professionalism. The indicators in the framework serve as the program outcomes. These competencies are embedded in courses, and students are expected to demonstrate that they can meet the competencies primarily in two performance-based courses: Practicum and Student Teaching.

The 39-credit program (inclusive of student teaching) will typically require 5 – 6 semesters for degree completion.

Program Requirements

The M.A.T. degree requirements are located in the academic catalog.

Accreditation

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

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission approves all Columbus State University educator preparation programs that lead to certification in teaching, school library media, counseling and educational leadership.

Additional Information

Online degree FAQ

For additional information about the program and admission at CSU, contact Dr. Elizabeth Hipps at (706) 568-5092 or email hipps_elizabeth@columbusstate.edu. Additional information about the program may also be found on the Georgia ONmyLINE website or the CSU Teacher website. For information regarding login details for online portals and registration, go to the CSU Georgia ONmyLINE website.

Apply Now

You can also read about additional information and policies, such as graduate student classifications, transferring credit, readmission requirements and international students.

Also see the Online M.A.T. Handbook (PDF).

Textbook Information (DOC)

Online MAT Student Teaching Handbook (PDF)

Online MAT Internship Handbook (PDF)

Online MAT Application for Student Teaching or Internship

County Application for Internship

Student Teaching Orientation Video

Code of Ethics for Educators Video

Transfer Policies

Prospective students should inquire about the current transfer policy. To transfer courses, students must present the syllabus of the course they wish to substitute along with the course description from the relevant university catalog. The candidate's advisor and/or the program coordinator must review the course syllabus to determine if:

1. the course is recent enough (within five years) to ensure that the student has a current knowledge base;
2. the course is comparable to the program course or can serve as an elective;
3. the student earned a B or better;
4. the course was offered by an accredited institution. If the course is acceptable, the student is notified and the department sends a course substitution form to the Registrar's office for verification.

Graduate Academic Regulations
Registration Graduate Assistantships Study Loads Class Attendance and Withdrawal Grades and Grade Point Averages	Course Eligibility Repetition of Courses Academic Misconduct Academic Standing Residence and Time Limits Graduation
Graduate Admission
General Requirements Classification of Students Transfer Credit	Readmission Requirements International Students Residency Requirements