Special Education - MAT

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WELCOME TO GRU! We are pleased that you are visiting our website to learn more about the MAT program in Special Education. Below you will find all the information you need regarding our program requirements for this initial certification degree.

For those who are looking for initial teacher certification we offer a Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) and a Master's of Art in Teaching (MAT). Both of these degrees must be successfully completed and then the student will be recommended by the Officer of Certification for initial certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). This certification qualifies you as a special education teacher for grades P-12 in a special education classroom for students with mild or moderate disabilities. You are also qualified to teach students with mild disabilities in general education classrooms.

The Master of Arts Degree in Special Education

The Master of Arts (MAT) degree is designed for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree in a field outside of education with specialization in a closely related area to an educational certification offered at GRU and are seeking initial teaching certification at the graduate level. Courses are offered in the evening during the school year and during the day in the summer semester. The MAT in Special Education allows candidates to concentrate in mild disabilities. The program of study consists of 42 hours of coursework, a semester long practicum, and an electronic portfolio in order to graduate and be recommended for certification. The program may be completed in four consecutive semesters.

Admission Requirements to MAT Program

Admission criteria include the following:

Application for admission-a non-refundable $25 application fee must be paid.
Submit an official transcript from each school where you have previously enrolled.

Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the Baccalaureate level
Passing score on GACE Basic Skills Assessment
Successfully complete a criminal background check.

Post-Admission

An orientation will be held prior to the start of your first semester. You will see your advisor, Andre Goodman, to plan your classes. His information is:

E-Mail: agoodma1@gru.edu
Office: #383 University Hall
Phone: 706-729-2980

Purchase and register with Live Text portfolio assessment software. This can be purchased at the GRU Bookstore or online.
Provide proof of professional educator liability insurance. If not fully insured for student activities by employer, students can get the required liability insurance by joining the Georgia Association of Educators (SGAE) or the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE).

For more information regarding the MAT program in Special Education please Click Here.

Program of Study

The program of study provides you with a list of classes that you will take in this program. SPED 4002 Instructional Strategies for Teaching Students with Disabilities in General Education is required for certification and must be taken during your first semester. Each class requires 30 hours of lab experience in a school setting. The following section details lab experience information.

Field Experiences

All of the classes in the Special Education Core and Special Education Concentration require a 30 hour lab experience in a classroom serving students with disabilities. Placements are made by Jackie Creasy in collaboration with the SPED faculty. If you are employed as a teacher, you may complete your lab hours in your current classroom if you have opportunities to work with students with disabilities. If you are not teaching, GRU will place you. At the beginning of every semester, each student is required to complete a field experience packet to be found online. These forms can be obtained by going to the ELCSE website and clicking here . You will be assigned a master or mentor teacher regardless of employment status who will complete your evaluation and submit it online at the end of the semester. Students are required to submit an attendance log through Elroy to verify the number of hours that they are completing. In addition to the 30 hour lab experiences, students must complete a consecutive 75 day practicum. It may be completed in your classroom if you are teaching students with disabilities under the supervision of a master or mentor teacher. If you are not currently teaching, a practicum site will be obtained by ASU. All requirements must be completed satisfactorily to pass the practicum.

*Note: Students obtaining P-12 certification will be required to have experience in four different grade levels: Age 5 and under, grades 1 through 4, middle grades, and secondary. We can make suggestions on how this can be accomplished if you work full-time. All field experiences and practicum teaching must be within 50 miles of GRU. Field experiences and practicum teaching must be in the area of certification candidate is seeking.

*Note: Candidates who have completed an undergraduate degree and passed the State of Georgia certification exams will be eligible to begin teaching while completing the program.

*Note: All practicum applications must be received by your advisor by MIDTERM of the semester PRIOR to practicum. A $200 practicum fee will be assessed (along with your tuition) to provide a stipend for your Mentor Teacher and travel expenses for your University Supervisor. Further information regarding the practicum will be provided towards the end of your coursework.

GACE Information

As part of the admissions requirement into the graduate program, students must pass the GACE-1 (Basics Skills Test). After program completion, to become certified in Georgia, you must pass the GACE-II in Special Education (081 & 082). There will be a certification meeting with Julie Gray prior to graduation and she will submit your paperwork.

The following are the new regulations for becoming highly qualified:

Special Education: Reading, English, Language Arts, and Social Studies (GACE 087)
Special Education: Mathematics and Science (GACE 088)

Effective October 3, 2011 individuals who hold a valid clear renewable special education teaching certificate and who have previously passed either GACE test 087 or 088 will have the appropriate core academic subjects as bulleted above automatically added to their certificates. These individuals will be notified via their "PSC Account" of this change on October 3, 2011, and this certificate addition will have a validity date of October 3, 2011.