Special Education Adapted Curriculum: (P-12) Initial Certification, M.A.T.
The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program in Special Education: Adapted Curriculum is an initial certification program for individuals who wish to work with learners with significant cognitive disabilities in a school setting. Candidates will acquire the necessary information and skills in order to plan programs and support students with moderate to severe disabilities in order to access the core curriculum and other critical skills such as adaptive skills and community integration.
Individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree and possess dispositions to work with diverse students will complete an intensive series of courses and field experiences that will prepare them to work with with students with significant disabilities. The program requires a minimum of 43 credits and successful passing of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) and the Educator Teacher Performance Assessments (edTPA).
Prerequisite Degree: Bachelor’s in any field
Program Requirements
All requirements for admission to teacher education, as described in the catalog, must be met. In addition to the graduate admissions requirements listed, all candidates must submit three letters of recommendation that address potential for teaching students with disabilities. A passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessments is required for certification.
Required Early in Program Unless Previously Satisfied:
This course should be satisfied as soon as possible if not previously met and may be taken at either the undergraduate or graduate level in a GaTAPP program.
Cluster A
| EDUC 5599 | Graduate Orientation | 1 |
| SPED 6602 | Learning Characteristics of Children with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 6607 | Single Case Research for Special Educators | 3 |
| SPED 7705 | Policies and Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 6634 | Instructional Methods for Individuals with Moderate/Severe Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder | 3 |
| SPED 6684 | Advanced Strategies for Behavior Change | 3 |
| SPED 6606 | Applied Behavior Analysis for Teachers | 3 |
| EDUC 6600 | Educational Assessment | 3 |
| SPED 6635 | Curriculum and Assessment for Individuals with Significant Cognitive Disabilities | 1 |
| EDUC 7703 | Social, Cultural, and Ethical Perspectives of Education | 3 |
| SPED 6636 | Health Care of Students with Special Needs | 3 |
Cluster B (to be at the end of the program of study)
SPED 7780: This course is non-transferable and must be completed at Piedmont College
Total Credit Hours: 43
Program Completion Requirements:
- Admission to Teacher Education, and pre-service certificate;
- Submit and have approved an application for graduation the semester before graduation;
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses attempted; and
- Approval of Capstone (SPED 7780) with a passing score
Note: In order to register for Student Teaching or take the capstone course in any program (whichever occurs last), M.A.T. candidates must successfully pass the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) tests(s).