MAT in Middle Grades Education through the UGA Teacher Residency Program
Earn while you learn!
What is a Residency Program?
We know that the best place to learn is in the field. A residency is an innovative approach to teacher preparation where future teachers work alongside skilled teacher mentors while taking university courses and are paid to work.
The University of Georgia’s Teacher Residency Program is a full-time, in-person, three-semester program that prepares, supports, and retains middle grades teachers. In this initial certification program, teacher residents will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching in Middle Grades Science for grades 4-8. Additional content areas will be added during the 2026-2027 school year.
Why This Residency?
A Supportive Pathway into the Teaching Profession
Our residency program aims to remove barriers and build futures for those who want to be teachers. Teacher residents in our program will:
- Receive free tuition and other reduced UGA costs
- Earn a stipend while in the program.
- Experience wrap-around supports including working closely with a mentor teacher who will coach their resident and provide feedback on a daily basis
- Be placed in the same school with the same teacher all year, participating in the school and district’s professional development opportunities
- Learn in UGA classes with low faculty-to-student, which allows for deep and hands-on learning
Upon graduation, teacher residents commit to teach in the school district where they are placed for three years after completing the program. We are partnering with Clarke County School District in Athens, Georgia, for residency placements.
Curriculum
UGA students in the Teacher Residency Program will be immersed in topics and experiences, such as:
- Developing an understanding of middle grades students’ communities and cultural contexts and how we can bring those assets into our curriculum and instruction
- Examining how youth, educators, and schools are always connected to and impacted by a larger network of systems
- Designing engaging curriculum and instructional practices that are equitable and accessible for all students
- Assessing and responding to middle grades students’ learning needs
These academic experiences will draw on residents’ work in their placement classrooms and vice versa for a complete residency experience.
Become a University of Georgia Teacher Resident
Required Criteria
- Bachelor’s degree in a field outside of education from an accredited college or university
- Cumulative GPA for all undergraduate courses should be 2.5 or above on a four-point scale*
- Commitment to serve as a teacher in the Clarke County School District for three years upon program completion
*Your application will still be considered if your cumulative undergraduate GPA is below 2.5. Please submit a request for more information if your GPA is below 2.5 .
An entrance exam is not required.
Note: Teacher Residency cohorts begin during summer semesters only.
How to Apply
The Graduate School handles admissions for all graduate programs at the University of Georgia, including those in the Mary Frances Early College of Education. The Graduate School website contains important details about the application process, orientation, and many other useful links to guide you through attending UGA at the graduate level.
To Apply:
Step 1: All applicants must complete this initial form to indicate their interest in the Teacher Residency Program .
Step 2: After submitting the required interest form, applicants who meet the eligibility requirements listed above will be invited to complete a video introduction and to apply to the UGA Graduate School.
Step 3: Complete the UGA Graduate School application .
Required document for application to the UGA Teacher Residency: Submit a resume. Here is an example resume template that may be used, but no particular format is required.
- Select Athens campus from the dropdown menu.
- Select MGED MAT (Middle Grades Master of Arts in Teaching) from the degree dropdown menu.
Step 4: Selected applicants will be invited to an interview with members of the UGA Residency Team.
Application Dates
Early Consideration by April 10, 2025
Complete Steps 1-3 by April 10th, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview the week of April 14-18 either in person or on Zoom.
Final Deadline April 30, 2025
Complete Steps 1-3 by April 30th, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited for an interview on May 5-6, 2025 either in person or on Zoom.
Faculty may request additional materials from applicants before making a recommendation on the application.
Have Questions?
We want to hear them! Please share your questions or request to speak with a UGA Teacher Residency team member .Partners
Additional Resources
The College’s programs are taught by dedicated faculty who are experts in a range of areas and are passionate about helping students succeed both in their programs and professionally.
Most graduate students at UGA are not assigned to a faculty advisor until after admittance. A close working relationship with your advisor is paramount to progressing through your program of study.
Almost all in-state students begin their studies at UGA paying limited tuition or fees. Please note that these amounts are subject to change and are meant to give prospective students an idea of the costs associated with a degree at the University of Georgia College of Education.
Students may qualify for a variety of assistantships, scholarships, and other financial awards to help offset the cost of tuition, housing, and other expenses.
Our students have a range of opportunities available outside the classroom as well, from professional organizations, experiential learning, clubs and other non-academic experiences.
See for yourself how much UGA College of Education has to offer! Schedule a tour of campus to learn more about the UGA student experience.