College of Education

Science Education (M.A.T.)

Program Theme: Teacher as Reflective Professional

The M.A.T. major in Science Education provides initial teacher certification for those holding bachelor’s degrees in engineering, science, or a related area. Certification areas are broad field science or single-subject such as biology, chemistry, earth science, physical science, and physics in grades 6-12.

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

• An undergraduate or graduate degree in engineering, a science field, or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university. A minimum of a major (24 upper-division semester hours) in a science area must be part of prior coursework.
• Three letters of recommendation as follows: (a) one academic or professional letter, (b) one letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of potential to work successfully with 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

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 Students who do not follow the prescribed program sequence will be withdrawn from the program and may reapply to enter the next program cycle.

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 better, and
• Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.

Students in this program will be prepared to teach in broad field science or in one of the science specialties of biology,chemistry, earth/space science and physics in grades 6-12. The student’s advisory committee will approve the student’s planned program of study for either the broad field science preparation or preparation in one of the specialties of biology, chemistry, earth/space science and physics after a transcript analysis of previous work and consultation with the student.

Students in this program will be eligible to be recommended for Georgia initial certification after earning passing scores on the GACE Basic Skills Assessment and GACE Content Assessments for licensure in Science or in their specialty area andsuccessfully completing:

1. All content courses recommended for the students by MSIT and Arts and Sciences faculty upon the students’ admission to the program;
2. Students must complete EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (3) or its equivalent to be eligible for recommendation for certification in addition to the program of study requirements;
3. EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)
4. EDCI 6600 Introduction to Secondary Teaching (3), EDCI 7660 Practicum I (3), EDCI 7670 Practicum II (3), EDCI 7680 Practicum III (3),EDSC 6550 Principles of Science Instruction (3), EDSC 7550 Theory and Pedagogy of Science Instruction (3)
5. Successful presentation of a professional portfolio.

Program of Study
A. Professional Studies (12)
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)

Required (3):
EPY 7080 The Psychology of Learning and Learners (3)

Required (3):
IT 7360 Integrating Technology in School-Based Learning Environments (3)

B. Teaching Field/Major (24)
Required (9):
EDCI 6600 Introduction to Secondary Teaching (3)
EDSC 6550 Principles of Science Instruction (3)
EDSC 7550 Theory and Pedagogy of Science Instruction (3)

Select Advanced Studies (15):

In consultation with their advisory committee, the students select coursework numbered 6000 or higher related to science education. The coursework should lead to the development of an understanding of the history, philosophy, conceptual underpinnings, and applications of science education. Because graduates will be certified in broad-field science, additional undergraduate or graduate coursework may be required for the students to demonstrate competence in at least one of the science disciplines and secondary concentrations in the three other science specialties (biology, chemistry, earth/space science, and physics). The students’ advisory committee will approve the students’ planned program of study after a transcript analysis of previous work and consultation with the students.

C. Internship (9)
Required (9):
EDCI 7660 Practicum I (3)
EDCI 7670 Practicum II (3)
EDCI 7680 Practicum III (3)

Program total: minimum of 45 semester hours