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Reading, Language, and Literacy Education (M.A.T.)

Program Theme: Teachers as Critical Inquirers in Multicultural, Urban Settings

The M.A.T. major in Reading, Language, and Literacy Education provides initial teacher preparation in ESOL for individuals holding bachelor’s degree and who have an interest in English to speakers of other languages in K-12 settings. The course of study meets the requirements for professional certification at the initial level in ESOL and the requirements for a Reading Endorsement.

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

  1. An undergraduate or graduate degree or the equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university.
  2. The academic preparation of applicants should 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 within the last 5 years)
  3. Students must meet a language requirement that is intended to ensure that all graduates have had the experience of
    studying a second or foreign language. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:
    • Successful completion of one academic year of a university-level foreign language sequence (three quarters or two semesters of the same language), or
    • Successful completion of two quarters or one semester of a non-Western language, or
    • One year living/studying abroad as an adult, or
    • The acquisition of English as a second language for non-native English speakers.
  4. Two letters of recommendation as follows: (a) an academic or professional letter, (b) a letter from someone who can evaluate the applicant’s personal qualifications, experience, and background in light of the potential to work successfully with students at the K-12 levels, or (c) a letter from a current work supervisor (if applicable).
  5. Documentation of previous work experience.
  6. 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.

Each student is advised by a committee of education faculty including representatives from the Department of Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology and the Department of Applied Linguistics. The committee and the students complete a planned program of study in light of the needs of individual students. Exit requirements for this program are:

  • Completion of all program coursework with a grade point average of no less than 3.0.
  • 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 Teaching English as a Second Language and successfully completing:

  1. EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (or its equivalent), IT 3210 (or its equivalent), and EPY 7080.
  2. AL 8240, TSLE 7250, TSLE 7260 or AL 8330, TSLE 7440, AL 8460, AL 8470, EDRD 7600, EDRD 7630, EDRD 7650, EDCI 7660, EDCI 7670, and EDCI 7680.
  3. Presentation of a professional portfolio.

Program of Study
A. Professional Studies (9)
Required (3):
EPY 7080 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 in Education (3)

B. Teaching Field/Major (27 semester hours)
Required (24):
AL 8240 General Linguistics (3)
AL 8460 English Grammar for ESL/EFL Teachers (3)
AL 8470 Sociolinguistics (3)
EDRD 7600 Theory and Pedagogy in the Study of Reading (3)
EDRD 7630 Literacy in the Content Areas (3)
EDRD 7650 Individualized Assessment and Instruction for At-risk Readers (3)
TSLE 7250 Applied Linguistics for the Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
TSLE 7440 Methods and Materials for Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)

Select one (3):
TSLE 7260 Cultural Issues for Bilingual/English as a Second Language Teacher (3)
AL 8330 Intercultural Communication (3)

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

Program total: minimum of 45 semester hours