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

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

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

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in English Education program leads to Professional Licensure.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state. The Professional License Disclosure link opens in a new tab. 's Professional License Disclosure

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges