Secondary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
The Master of Arts in Teaching program is designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree (generally in a field other than education) and who wish to pursue teacher certification and simultaneously earn a master’s degree.
For candidates who hold a bachelor's degree in a field related to the desired programs of study, who are not currently certified in Georgia, and who seek initial certification in secondary education in English, History, Mathematics or Broadfield Science (6-12).
These 46 semester-hour (minimum) programs include internship block, plus courses in education and appropriate course work in the content field (based on an analysis of each candidate’s content-field experience). NOTE: Most candidates’ programs require more than the minimum number of courses in the content field. For details, refer to the current advisement sheet in the intended field of certification.
Successful completion of EDUC 5000 is required during the first semester of enrollment. A pre-service certificate must be earned before any course is taken that requires a field experience in a public school. Please see your advisement sheet for specifics.
In order to register for Internship III or take the capstone course in any program (whichever occurs last), MAT candidates must successfully pass the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) content exam(s).
Dual-Degree Track: For Piedmont undergraduates intending to pursue a secondary education Master of Arts in Teaching program in English, or History, or Mathematics, or Broadfield Science leading to recommendation for a T-5 Georgia teaching certificate.
Candidates for the Dual-Degree program first secure a bachelor’s degree, following the courses of study provided in the sections of this catalog dealing with their respective majors for a career in secondary education, including EDSE 3366 Foundations and Practicum in Secondary Education. The Dual Degree track continues with the Master of Arts in Teaching.
Refer also to Fast-Track Admissions.
Undergraduate prerequisite course for Dual Degree Track
| EDSE 3366 | Foundations and Practicum in Secondary Education | 4 |
EDSE 3366: Requires a pre-service certificate
M.A.T. Program of Study
A. Required Courses
EDUC 5000: Required during the first semester of enrollment.
EDSE 7788: This course is non-transferable and must be completed at Piedmont University.
EDSE 7788: GACE (content exams) must be passed before registration for the final semester of coursework in Secondary Education
*** See note: GACE Passage
Content-specific Methods Courses recommended concurrently with Internship I
B. Electives
Number of electives varies by program. Refer to the current advisement checklist in the intended field of certification. The following are highly recommended for all initial certification candidates. Other electives may be available.
| EDUC 6607 | Fundamentals of Learning and Cognition | 3 |
| EDUC 6642 | Critical Thinking and Creativity in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 7703 | Social, Cultural, and Ethical Perspectives of Education | 3 |
| EDUC 6690 | Classroom Management | 3 |
C. Teaching Experience Sequence (Internship I, II) Advanced Internship (one year, beginning Fall Semester)
EDSE 7743: GACE (content exams) must be passed before registration for the final semester of coursework in Secondary Education.
Advanced Internship—Candidates teaching on a non-renewable certificate (One year, beginning Fall Semester)
EDSE 7745: GACE (content exams) must be passed before registration for the final semester of coursework in Secondary Education
NOTE: To assure that each candidate derives the maximum in professional development from an advanced internship while providing competent instruction to students, advisors will consider (a) each candidate’s content field background and (b) preparedness for managing classroom instruction. A candidate may request an exception to this policy by offering evidence of experiences in lieu of M.A.T. courses that demonstrate the ability to succeed in the advanced internship. Exceptions require the approval of the Chair of the Secondary Education Department.
NOTE: The College of Education generally provides supervision of internships at public schools and approved private schools located within 40 miles of either the Demorest or Athens campuses. Consideration of supervision of internships beyond 40 miles is on a case- by-case basis. A candidate should not assume that placement can be made at a long distance from the University.
NOTE: Candidates wishing to fulfill the teaching experience sequence at a private school are advised that private schools must be accredited and pre-approved for internship placements in order for that experience to satisfy this requirement.
Candidates are expected to arrange with their host schools to leave school on days of the methods classes to arrive on time every time the class meets. Responsibility for extracurricular school activities, including band, chorus, theatre, and athletics is not an accepted reason for missing class sessions.
D. Subject Matter Courses:
A minimum requirement of nine semester hours at the graduate level (6000 or higher) in the field of intended certification. Most programs provide an option for additional subject matter courses as electives.
NOTE: Candidates with undergraduate majors in fields not specifically intended for secondary education careers may be required to add to their programs additional 3000, 4000-, and 5000-level courses to their program in order to provide a substantial content knowledge base for teaching and for passing GACE content exams. Courses at 3000-, 4000-, and 5000-level will not count toward the requirement for graduate level content courses.