Master of Arts in Education (M.A.)

Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in education are designed for teachers and/or individuals who hold a valid teaching certificate or who are currently teaching in a private school accredited by Cognia or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level. Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university and a copy of a valid teaching certificate or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator.*

Note: Master of Arts (MA) degree programs do not lead to initial educator certification nor to the conversion of a non-renewable certificate (Provisional or Waiver certificate) to a Professional certificate. (Piedmont has Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and certification-only programs leading to initial certification.)

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the Bachelor’s degree showing all course work from all colleges and universities attended. (Piedmont University transcripts are on file.)
3. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a colleague. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
4. Copy of valid, current professional Georgia teaching certificate at the appropriate level or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. For those holding provisional certificates a copy of the current certificate and a copy of the PSC letter outlining requirements for updating to a clear-renewable certificate

   (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)

5. For Art Education, the art department chair must approve a portfolio of past work and a philosophy of teaching before acceptance
6. For Music Education, the music department chair must approve a videotaped or live audition before acceptance.
7. Personal Affirmation Form

   * These programs are for advanced certification and do not lead to a recommendation for an initial Georgia Teaching Certificate. Holders of out-of-state certificates should contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for reciprocity rules.

   ** Teachers using this option must have taught three out of the past five years with a professional teaching certificate in an accredited public school or private school [Cognia or GAC (top two levels)] verified through submitted annual evaluations.