Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is an 11-month, 34 credit hour program involving summer, fall, and spring terms. Clinical practice is built into the fall and spring terms alongside other classroom courses.The MAT provides a path to certification for students who have completed an undergraduate degree in one of the following academic areas. Included in parenthesis are the grade levels an MAT graduate may be certified to teach.Research: One innovative aspect of the MAT is the emphasis on classroom research. This focus enables candidates to understand the value and limitations of educational research and to develop the values of self-reflection and self-evaluation as they conduct action research through various courses.Collaboration: The MAT benefits from close partnerships with area schools and collaboration with colleagues from other academic departments in the college. Content specialists in other disciplines work with the Education Department in transcript review, remediation plans as needed, collaboration, and supervision of clinical practice.Clinical Practice: MAT students complete about 1000 hours of clinical practice during both the fall and spring semesters.Theory and Practice: Theory and practice are integrated in the program with a combination of classroom activities combined with field practicum activities in area schools. All coursework is presented by a faculty that has both practical and research experience. All candidates complete a full year of clinical practice in P-12 classrooms under the supervision and mentorship of experienced classroom teachers and Covenant faculty. Candidates gain experience working with students at different grade levels and from different socioeconomic, racial/ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, and students with exceptionalities.Workable Schedule: The MAT allows candidates to complete a degree in one year and obtain the Induction Certificate from the GaPSC and from Association of Christian Schools International in their desired teaching area. Summer classes are taught in a three week session M-F 8:30-5:00 while classes are held in the evening both on campus and synchronously to students in other locations during the fall and spring semesters with clinical practice during daytime hours. It is also possible for current teachers who desire state certification and a master's degree to complete the program while employed full time.For most students, the MAT will be completed in one year with six credit hours in the summer term, 15 credit hours in the fall term, and 13 credit hours in the spring term. Students can choose to complete the MAT as a two-year course of study. The degree must be completed within six years.