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Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in English Education

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in English Education

photo of Kevin Burke in an outdoor environment.

I hope that students emerge with a greater sense of their own capacities as teachers–given my field of teacher education–in light of the knowledge gained through our work together.

Kevin J. Burke

Professor

Overview

Offered by the Mary Frances Early College of Education, The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in English Education is designed for individuals seeking initial certification who hold undergraduate degrees in other fields, and who do not hold a teacher certification. You will leverage your growing understanding of our content areas (e.g. literature, writing, reading, speaking) to bring them alive alongside students from a variety of contexts and experiences. Coursework will challenge you to consider critical perspectives, multimodal and digital literacy practices, and what it means to teach English for all learners in secondary schooling contexts.

Program coursework intentionally interweaves hands-on experiences in secondary classrooms with an exploration of pedagogies and methods in deliberately sequenced coursework. The cohort model allows students to learn what it means to teach alongside a community of peers working in similar placements and in the same sequence of courses. Further, students work with a dedicated community of experienced mentor teachers who work alongside faculty and university supervisors as teacher educators.

The program provides rigorous preparation while meeting the needs of working adults, including paraprofessionals and provisionally certified teachers.
If you have already earned a B.A. or B.S. degree, the M.A.T. in English Education is designed to prepare you for a certified secondary-school teaching position in grades 6-12 English. You will leverage your growing understanding of our content areas (e.g. literature, writing, reading, speaking) to bring them alive alongside students from a variety of contexts and experiences. Coursework will challenge you to consider critical perspectives, multimodal and digital literacy practices, and what it means to teach English in a way that leads to a more equitable society.

  • The program integrates methods coursework with a range of area field placements in middle and high school contexts.
  • Choice in program pathways/timelines allows for options in pacing program coursework.
  • Study alongside nationally recognized faculty and doctoral students

Accreditations

The University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of Georgia also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of the University of Georgia may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Professional preparation: Earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution before the date of enrollment at the University of Georgia.

GPA: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 for all courses taken. Although the program recommends at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA, most applicants greatly exceed that. Those candidates whose undergraduate grades do not represent their future potential should use the essay portions of the application to make their case for admission. The state requires that all candidates have a minimum 2.5 GPA on undergraduate or previous graduate work. Go to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission website for details.

Online Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in English Education Application Checklist

  1. Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online.  Application fee: $75.
  2. Select Campus – Online 
  3. Select Degree Level – Masters
  4. Select Intended Program – MAT, English Education (Language and Literacy Educ) [MAT_EGED_ONL]
  5. Select Intended Term – Fall
  6. Résumé or curriculum vita – Submit online to the Graduate School.
  7. Statement of Purpose – Submit a one-two page statement of purpose online to the Graduate School. The statement of intent should clarify the candidate’s relevant background, interests, and goals in relation to the program.
  8. Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
  9. Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s scholarly ability and potential for success in a graduate program

Application Deadlines

Domestic Applicants

  • Fall: July 1

International Applicants

  • Fall: April 15

Cost

Tuition rates and student fees may change each year. 

Based on 2024-25 credit-hour cost, a person who had completed this program at the recommended pace would have paid $16,630 in tuition for a Georgia Resident and $50,1933 in tuition for an out-of-state student.

Please use the Estimated Cost Calculator on the Bursar’s Office website to calculate one academic (Fall/Spring) year’s tuition. 

Fees for those students enrolled in exclusively online programs are $422 per semester. 

Potential additional costs include:

  • Textbooks
  • Exam proctoring fees
  • Technology upgrades 

The complete cost of attendance can be found at https://osfa.uga.edu/costs/.

Financial Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid for information about financial assistance.

Corporate Assistance

Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance

Active-duty military, veterans, and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see Tuition Assistance (refer to the Distance Learning section). 

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance for Residents 62 and Older

Any resident of Georgia over the age of 62 can earn a UGA degree for free. The USG tuition assistance program for students in GA over the age of 62 includes online classes at the University of Georgia. Those who qualify are encouraged to apply for an undergrad or graduate degree at UGA online or on campus.

Additional information can be found in Board of Regents Policy 4.2.1.5, Persons Aged 62 and Older. Students who are interested in this program should contact their college or university of interest for additional information. You can find more information about admissions on UGA’s Admissions page.

Curriculum

39 Semester hours to earn the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in English Education

Area CourseCourse TitleCredit Hours
Group I: Adolescent Learners (9 hours)EDSE 6030EInclusion of Students with Special Needs: Grades 6-123
LLED 7400ECurrent Issues in Secondary English Education3
LLED 7430ELanguage and Literacies in Secondary English Education3
Group II: English Education Core (18 hours)LLED 6200EMethods in Teaching English Education I3
LLED 6220EMethods in Teaching English Education II3
LLED 6400EPlanning Instruction in Secondary English Education3
LLED 6410EAdolescent and Young Adult Literature for a Changing World3
LLED 7045ESpecial Topics in Language and Literacy Education3
LLED 7720ETeacher Inquiry in English/Language Arts3
Group III: Field-Based Learning (12 hours)LLED 6210EEnglish Education Practicum Seminar I3
LLED 6230EEnglish Education Practicum Seminar II3
LLED 6240EEnglish Education Practicum Seminar III3
LLED 7465EStudent Teaching in Secondary English Education3

** MAT students are required to pass a written comprehensive exam for program completion
**MAT students are required to have a Pre-Service Certificate issued prior to beginning their program. See this page for more information about how to obtain a Pre-Service Certificate.

Sample Schedule of Courses:

Fall ISpring ISummerFall IISpring II
EDSE 6030ELLED 6200ELLED 6410ELLED 6220ELLED 7465E
LLED 7400ELLED 6210ELLED 7045ELLED 6230ELLED 6240E
LLED 7430ELLED 7720ELLED 6400E

Faculty

Licensure

This program is designed to enable you to practice in a licensed profession through initial certification in the state of Georgia. If you apply to this program from a state outside of Georgia with the plan to work in Georgia, you will be given the opportunity to attest to that intention when you apply.

An enrollment coach will contact you to determine your circumstances and ensure that this program will be effective for you.

Additional information and disclosures regarding state licensure for professional practice in this field can be found at the UGA Licensure Disclosure Portal. 

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