Kinesiology/Physical Education M.A.T.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree in Kinesiology/Physical Education provides initial teacher preparation at the master's degree level for qualified candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related discipline such as Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Health Promotion, Outdoor Education, Human Performance, etc. The degree program is designed for college graduates whose undergraduate degrees did not include coursework or learning experiences necessary to meet CAEP/NASPE national accreditation standards and the Georgia Performance Standards in health and physical education necessary for Health and Physical Education P-12 teacher certification. Successful completion of the M.A.T. program leads to a T-5 Georgia Teacher Certification.

Students who complete the M.A.T. in Kinesiology/Physical Education from GC must be recommended to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for initial certification. The final recommendation for initial certification is a responsibility of the College of Education.

The program requires 36 semester hours of selected graduate course work. The program is designed as a one-year, full-time experience, which ideally begins in the summer semester and is completed during the following fall and spring semesters. It is possible to complete the program on a part-time basis, but the number of semesters necessary for completion of the course work would be extended since the courses must be taken in sequential order. If enrolled in the program on a part-time basis, a minimum of six credit hours must be completed per semester sequentially while under the direction of a graduate faculty advisor.

The M.A.T. Kinesiology/Physical Education is offered in a cohort model. Teacher candidates enter together as a group. They take courses and complete field activities over a specified period of time.