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Science Education (M.A.T.)

M.A.T. in Science Education (TEEMS) - The Department of Middle Secondary Education was the first department at Georgia State University to provide alternative paths to the teaching profession. Starting in 1986, programs leading to teaching certificates were designed in foreign language, mathematics and science.
Through cooperative efforts among GSU, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, many school districts throughout the state, more than 80 teachers began teaching careers through the TRIPS Program, and the Alternative Teacher Preparation Program in Foreign Language, Mathematics and Science. One of the outcomes of these alternative teacher preparation programs was to rethink the nature of teacher education, and to begin to visualize and plan for new approaches to teacher education.
As a result of the convergence of our work in alternative teacher preparation, the apparent national crisis in science and mathematics, and the emerging epistemology of constructivism, a new program for the preparation of mathematics and science teachers was developed based on current research on teacher education. The underlying framework for the new program is constructivism, which suggests that human beings construct knowledge through acting on their environment and interacting with other humans.

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.

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

Program Academic Regulations
The department may specify additional requirements.
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 eligible to be recommended for Georgia initial certification after earning passing scores on the GACE Content Assessments for licensure in Science and successfully 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