Middle Childhood Education (M.A.T.)

Program Theme: Teacher as Reflective Professional

The M.A.T. major in Middle Childhood Education provides initial teacher preparation for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees and who have an interest in teaching students in grades 4-8 in two areas of a concentration. The course of study meets the requirements for professional certification in Middle Childhood Education (grades 4-8) with concentrations in either language arts and social studies education or mathematics and science education.

Program Admission
All applicants must meet the College of Education’s requirements for admission to graduate study. Additional requirements specific to this program include:

An undergraduate or graduate degree or the equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.
The academic preparation of applicants must include the coursework listed below. Students may be admitted to the program and allowed to complete their academic preparation concurrently. Academic preparation must be completed prior to recommendation for certification.

Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (EXC 4020 or its equivalent)
Technology for Teachers (IT 3210, IT 7360, or its equivalent taken in the last five years)

Language Arts and Social Studies Concentration

12 hours of English courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
12 hours of social studies courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) literature and folklore, (b) composition, (c) languages and (d) children’s and adolescent’s literature
Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) Georgia History, (b) geography, (c) World History/studies, (d) U.S. History/studies.

Mathematics and Science Education Concentration

12 hours of mathematics courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
12 hours of science courses with at least 6 hours of upper division coursework.
Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) geometry, (b) algebra, (c) number theory, and (d) probability/statistics.
Students must demonstrate academic proficiency in the following areas: (a) biology, (b) physical science, and (c) earth/space sciences.

Three letters of recommendation as follows: (a) one academic or professional letter, (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicants’ personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of the potential to work successfully with pre-adolescents and adolescents, and (c) one letter from a current work supervisor (if applicable).
Documentation of previous work experience.
Interviews conducted by faculty and school-based personnel.
Passing scores on all three sections of the GACE Content Assessment or exemption based on qualifying SAT, ACT, or GRE scores.
The department may specify additional requirements.

Program Academic Regulations
The M.A.T. program is a carefully sequenced program. Students who do not follow the prescribed program sequence will be withdrawn from the program and may reapply to enter the next program cycle.
Students are advised by a committee of education and arts and sciences faculty including representatives from the students’ two areas of concentration. The committee and the students complete a planned program of study in light of the needs of the individual students. Exit requirements for this program are:

Completion of all program coursework with a grade point average of no less than 3.00.
Successful completion of the teaching internships with a grade of “B” or higher.
Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.

Students in this program will be eligible to be recommended for Georgia initial certification after earning passing scores on the GACE Content Assessments for middle grades and successfully completing:

All content courses recommended for all individuals by the advisement committee upon admission to the program.
EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (or its equivalent) and EPY 7080.
EDCI 7020, EDRD 7630, IT 7360, EDCI 7660, EDCI 7670, EDCI 7680, and either EDCI 6540 and EDCI 7540 (Math/Science option) or EDCI 6560 and EDCI 7560 (Language Arts/Social Studies option).

Program of Study
A. Professional Studies (9 semester hours)
Required (3):
EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3).

Select one (3):
EPRS 7900 Methods of Research in Education (3)
EPRS 7910 Action research (3)

Select one (3):
EPSF 7100 Critical Pedagogy (3)
EPSF 7110 Multicultural Education (3)
EPSF 7120 Social and Cultural Foundations of Education (3)

B. Teaching Field/Major (27 semester hours)
Required (6):
EDCI 7020 Middle Schools in a Diverse Society (3)
EDRD 7360 Literacy in the Content Areas (3)

Elective (3):
Select an elective with the approval of the Middle Childhood Education APP Advisor.

Choose one concentration:

Mathematics and Science Concentration
Required (6):
EDCI 6540 Principles of Instruction in Middle Childhood Science and Mathematics (3)
EDCI 7540 Theory and Pedagogy of Middle Childhood Science and Mathematics Instruction (3)

Advanced Studies – Mathematics (6)
In consultation with their advisement committee, students select coursework numbered 6000 or higher. The coursework should lead to the development of an understanding of the history, philosophy, conceptual underpinnings, and applications of mathematics education at the middle childhood level. One course should be taken from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and one course from mathematics education in the Department of Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology.

Advanced Studies – Science (6)
In consultation with their advisement committee, students select coursework numbered 6000 or higher. The coursework should lead to the development of an understanding of the history, philosophy, and conceptual underpinnings of science as well as the applications of science education at the middle childhood level.

Language Arts and Social Studies Concentration
Required (6):
EDCI 6560 Principles of Instruction in Middle Childhood Language Arts and Social Studies (3)
EDCI 7560 Theory and Pedagogy of Middle Childhood Language Arts and Social Studies Instruction (3)

Advanced Studies – Language Arts (6)
In consultation with their advisement committee, students select coursework numbered 6000 or higher. The coursework should lead to the development of an understanding of the history, philosophy, conceptual underpinnings, and applications of language arts education at the middle childhood level. One course (Eng) should be taken from the Department of English and one course (EDLA) from Language and Literacy Education in the Department of Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology.

Advanced Studies – Social Studies (6)
In consultation with their advisement committee, students select coursework numbered 6000 or higher. The coursework should lead to the development of an understanding of the history, philosophy, conceptual underpinnings, and applications of social studies education at the middle childhood level. One course should be taken from the College of Arts and Sciences and one course (EDSS) from social studies education.

C. Internship (9 semester hours)
Required (9):
EDCI 7660 Practicum I (3)
EDCI 7670 Practicum II (3)
EDCI 7680 Practicum III (3)
Program total: minimum of 45 semester hours