Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) in Special Education – Birth through Five/Preschool Special Education
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T) in Special Education – Birth through Five/Preschool Special Education
We’re targeting scholars who want to work with infants, toddlers and preschoolers with complex needs and their families and to be a part of an interdisciplinary team that provides those services.
Professor
Overview
The M.A.T. in Special Education leads to initial certification for students who hold undergraduate degrees in other fields and who do not hold a teaching certification. Students must develop both initial and advanced skills prior to certification. The program of study includes co-requisites coursework and practicum experiences.
Prepare to work with children birth through age 5 both with and without disabilities. The birth through kindergarten/preschool special education emphasis promotes developmentally appropriate inclusive and collaborative teaching practices. Our graduates specialize in providing engaging instruction and support to young children and their families. The special education program recommends to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission that a graduate be awarded a clear renewable teaching certificate in birth through kindergarten and a certificate/endorsement in preschool special education.
Training in this program prepares pre-service teachers to teach in inclusive early learning, preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten programs, along with early intervention (0-3) and preschool intervention (3-5) programs.
Highlights
- Fill a critical shortage area in Georgia
- Program flexibility for part-time or full-time students
- Early childhood learning and care is a critical and burgeoning field
- Earn certificate upgrade in special education and an elementary education field
- Diverse career opportunities available in home, center, and public school settings
- Opportunities to have an effect on the development of young learners and their families
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
Admissions 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 3.0 for all courses taken.
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 Special Education – Birth Through Kindergarten/Preschool Special Education Application Checklist
- Application – Submit the Graduate School Admissions online. Application fee: $75 Domestic/$100 International.
- Select Campus – Online
- Select Degree Level – Masters
- Select Intended Program – MAT, Special Education (Comm Sci and Special Ed) [MAT_SPED_ONL]
- Select Area of Emphasis – Birth through Five/Preschool Special Education
- Select Intended Term – Summer, Fall, Spring
- Résumé or curriculum vita – Submit online to the Graduate School.
- 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.
- Transcripts – Submit unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended as part of the online application. Send official transcripts after you are offered admission.
- Letters of Recommendation – Submit three letters of recommendation online to graduate school. Letters should be from individuals who can
Application Deadlines
Domestic Applicants
- Summer: April 1
- Fall: April 1
- Spring: November 15
International Applicants
- Summer: February 15
- Fall: February 15
- Spring: October 15
TOEFL: Foreign applicants will also need to score a minimum of 20 points each on the Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL with an overall minimum score of 80. Test scores must be within 5 years from the date of application.
Cost
Tuition rates and student fees can change each year.
Based on 2024 credit hour cost, a person completing this program at the recommended pace would have paid $15,372 in tuition for a Georgia Resident and $42,552 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 current tuition.
Online students pay the following fees: Connect UGA, Green, and Technology. The total for those fees in the fall semester of 2024 was $411 for students enrolled in exclusively online courses.
Additional costs may include:
- Textbooks
- Exam proctoring fees
- Technology upgrades
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.
Curriculum
The minimum 36 hours of coursework includes required courses and applied practice experiences individualized to the student’s career objectives. This allows students to gain advanced knowledge and skills in various special education topic areas.
For birth through kindergarten students, coursework includes:
- Infant/toddler development and teaching methods
- Preschool curriculum development
- Observation and assessment techniques
- Communication and language development
- Teaching methods for children with developmental delays
- Classroom and Behavior Management
Prerequisites and Co-Requisites: Out-of-Field BK Students
Required for all M.A.T. BK/ECSE Students
EDSE 2000/E (3) Survey of Special Education
Courses for the Degree Program
EDSE /B-K 18 hours
EDSE 7100/E (3) Foundations & Assessment in Early Childhood Special Education
EDSE 7200/E (3) Methods and Curriculum in Early Childhood Special Education
EDSE 7160E (3) Early Communication and Language Development in Young Children
EDSE 7170 (3) Programs and Curricula for Infants and Toddlers
EDSE 7180 (3) Programs and Curricula for children 3-5 years
EDSE 6070E (3) Classroom and Behavior Management
EDSE 5120E/7120E (3) Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities
OR EDSE 5150E/7150E (3) Designing Reading Interventions for Special Education An Elective
Applied Practice and Research Project (12 hours)
___________ EDSE 7440 (6) total; 3 hours per semester for 2 semesters Practicum in Special Education
___________ EDSE 7460 (6) Internship in Special Education
**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
Information about how to obtain a Pre-Service Certificate.
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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Contact Information
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