MAT in Elementary Education

Vision

Our vision is to prepare teacher leaders who are capable of effectively serving culturally and linguistically diverse children, families, and communities. We equip our teacher leaders with the skills to provide child-centered, inquiry driven instruction ultimately intent on advocating for equity and access to high quality educational experiences for all.

Mission

The MAT in Elementary Education blends theory and practice grounded in our shared philosophy of critical pedagogy. Upon program completion, students will be expected to demonstrate teaching competencies related to habits of reflexive practice, integrating scholarship and research, engaging in professional collaboration, and appreciating diversity. These elements of thought and action are viewed as key to supporting critically informed and equitable teacher decision making. The MAT program is designed to offer theoretically and clinically rich experiences in diverse environments. By the end of the program, teachers will develop their identity as thought leaders and agents of change.

Program of Study

The MAT in Elementary Education requires a minimum of 49 credit hours, including content courses and associated field experiences. MAT Teacher candidates must (1) apply for a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate prior to beginning field experience and (2) complete several assessments prior to certification.

Download Program of Study

Part 1: Apply to the University of Georgia

The Graduate School handles admission for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through the process of attending UGA at the graduate level.

Start a Graduate School Application

Part 2: Apply to the MAT in Elementary Education

The MAT in Elementary Education accepts applicants for summer admission. Eligible applications must have a bachelor’s degree and a 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale cumulative GPA. While completing your Graduate School application, please complete the following sections:

• Program selection (Athens, MAT, summer)
• Personal background, citizenship, and residency
• Educational background and additional information (upload unofficial transcripts)
• Test scores (3.0 or above GPA to waive entrance exam)*
• Resume and statement of purpose (see guidance for resume and narrative in FAQs)
• Honor code and privacy policy
• Payment selection (application fee)
• Crucial data
• For all other sections enter "not applicable"
• Review and submit

GAPSC Requirements

The state of Georgia now requires that all teacher prep candidates either pass the GACE Program Admission Assessment or exempt it (1000 Verbal + Math SAT, 43 English + Math ACT or 297 Verbal + Quantitative GRE) before they can be accepted into programs. The state also requires that all candidates have a minimum 2.5 GPA on undergraduate or previous graduate work. Go to the GAPSC website for details.

*Note: We believe that students are more than just test scores. Likewise, teachers are more than their test scores. That being said, there is no minimum score posted for the GRE or Miller Analogies Test. When reviewing applications for admission, the entire packet is reviewed and potential cohort members are evaluated holistically. To be eligible for a waiver of the GRE, an applicant must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. The department will submit the waiver request directly to the Graduate School.

For the summer-to-summer cohort, applications are due by the third Friday in February each academic year.

• For questions about the MAT in Elementary Education, please contact Leslie Rech Penn

Applications will be evaluated by a committee of MAT faculty members on a monthly basis and notifications will be sent out each spring. Candidates whose undergraduate grades do not necessarily represent their future potential should use the essay portions of the application to make their case for admission.

Upon acceptance to the program, you will be asked to:

1. Attend an online orientation for new MAT students
2. Attend a pre-service session to complete the GaPSC Pre-Service Application

• Authorization of background check
• Completion of Georgia Educator Ethics assessment test code 360 ($30)
• Signed and notarized Verification of Lawful Presence (VLP) affidavit

3. Meet with your assigned advisor prior to Summer I session
4. Register for Summer I session

After the orientation for new MAT students (advising for summer and fall), you will be assigned an MAT advisor. You and your advisor will meet prior to Summer I to review your undergraduate transcripts, assess pre-certification status, and areas of needed support in your program of study. Your advisor will work with you to review your experience with content areas (mathematics, language and literacy, science, social studies) and confirm your program of study. Guidelines for transcript review include:

• Number of courses taken
• Level of content in the content area
• Evaluation in the course

You will meet with your advisor again throughout the school year to discuss your progress through the program of study and/or address concerns.

The MAT program is committed to thoughtfully partnering with schools that profess a commitment to equity, diversity, and social justice. It is our goal for MAT students to be able to transfer their knowledge of teaching for social justice to a variety of different teaching contexts. Therefore, we seek to develop meaningful relationships, collaborations, and partnerships with schools that are open to continued professional development and mutual learning exchanges with our faculty.

These partnerships can enable strategic field placements for MAT students in schools and classrooms that are aligned with our core mission and values. A dedicated MAT field coordinator and supporting faculty will cultivate relationships and maintain strategic partnerships with local teachers and schools.

• MAT in Elementary Education FAQ
• Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching
• Study Abroad in Modena, Italy
• Study Abroad in Ghana