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

Teacher Education Programs Leading to Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

The School of Education offers four different teacher education programs for individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree, earning a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Each of the four teacher education programs leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree with a Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) and an endorsement as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) from the New Jersey Department of Education in the following areas:

• Early Childhood Education (P–3);
• Elementary Education (K–6);
• English as a Second Language (K–12);
• Teacher of a Specific Subject (K–12 or Secondary Education in art, biology, business, chemistry, English, health and physical education, mathematics, social studies, or Spanish).

The bachelor’s degree must be in a content major (minimum 30 credits); early childhood education (P–3), elementary education (K–6), and English as a Second Language (ESL) majors include: biology, chemistry, English, history, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, natural sciences, psychology, Spanish, and visual art; and Subject-Specific majors include biology, business, chemistry, exercise science, English, history, mathematics, Spanish, and visual art.

Advanced Standing Admission to Teacher Education Programs leading to a M.A.T. degree

Undergraduate students entering a teacher education program with advanced standing leading to a M.A.T. degree will have completed the required Core Competency courses as part of their undergraduate degree. As such, the equivalent graduate-level coursework and credits will not be required. The Core Competency courses are embedded in all teacher education programs: Early Childhood (P–3), Elementary Education (K–6), English as a Second Language (K–12), and Subject-Specific (K–12) and Secondary Education.

The graduate and equivalent undergraduate Core Competency courses are: 

• EDC5110 Ethics & Foundations of Incl & SpEd = ED3110 Ethics & Foundations of Incl & SpEd
• EDC5038 Psychology of the Exceptional Child = PS245 Psychology of the Exceptional Child
• EDC5999 Field Experience in Special Education = ED2999 Field Experience in Special Education

Physiology and Hygiene

New Jersey Department of Education regulations requires all applicants for instructional certification to pass an examination in physiology and hygiene (P&H), including the effects of narcotics and alcohol. Candidates admitted to a pre-service teacher education program are required to self-study and pass the GCU P&H exam in the first semester, prior to clinical experience.

Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB)

New Jersey Department of Education regulations requires all applicants for instructional certification to be trained in harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). Candidates admitted to a pre-service teacher education program are required to self-study and pass the GCU HIB exam in the first semester, prior to clinical experience.

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (CARE)

New Jersey Department of Education regulations requires all applicants for instructional certification to be trained in how to identify sign of child abuse and neglect and how to report such observances (CARE). Candidates admitted to a pre-service teacher education program are required to self-study and pass the GCU CARE exam in the first semester, prior to clinical experience.

Clinical Experience & Clinical Practice

Georgian Court’s Teacher Education programs provide the candidate ample opportunity to develop not only theoretical knowledge about teaching and learning in general, inclusive, and special education, but the practical skills needed to plan instruction for a diverse group of students, manage classroom behaviors, work with school professionals, understand the culture and nuances of school, and interact positively with parents and caregivers. The programs include clinical experience in both inclusive and special education settings and two consecutive semesters of clinical practice.

To be approved for clinical practice, candidates must have an earned a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, passed the requisite Praxis II tests, passed the GCU exams (P&H, HIB, and CARE), and completed all prerequisite and program courses. Clinical practice consists of two consecutive semesters of fieldwork, the first consisting of part-time practice (175 hours) and the second semester of full-time practice. Full-time clinical practice consists of 15 weeks in which the candidate gradually assumes the responsibility for teaching. Placements for clinical practice are made by the director of field placement in collaboration with school district administrators to assure an appropriate match between the candidate and the school.

Concurrent with full-time Clinical Practice (9 credits), candidates participate in a Reflective Practice Seminar (3 credits) and are required to attend weekly meetings focusing on their clinical practice and the development of a comprehensive teaching portfolio. edTPA is a New Jersey Department of Education mandated performance assessment (portfolio). Completing the edTPA performance assessment is a School of Education requirement; passing the assessment is required for state certification. Additional Reflective Practice Seminar topics include, but are not limited to, classroom management, district policies, safety, school law, and emerging issues. Sharing of experiences and best practices in small groups, learning about certification processes, and honing job search skills through mock interviews are the cornerstones. Clinical practice is an intensive and critical professional experience. For this reason, School of Education policy prohibits clinical interns from taking other courses during clinical practice and strongly recommends that clinical interns not engage in employment during the 15-week clinical practice.

Electronic Portfolios (e-Portfolios)

Georgian Court’s education programs were designed to enable candidates to meet professional standards in their respective area of study. Each course includes one or more performance assessments (artifacts) demonstrating the candidate’s knowledge, skill, and/or dispositions that link to the New Jersey Professional Teaching Standards (NJPTS). As candidates progress through their program courses, artifacts are archived in an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) on the Task Stream platform and are evaluated by program faculty. The e-portfolio can also include reflections, journal entries, and other self-assessments that contribute to a candidate’s professional development, reflective practice, and habit of lifelong learning. By the end of the program, candidates have amassed a substantial body of evidence that they have met Georgian Court’s and professional standards.

If you’re interested in our advanced programs leading to a master’s degree, here are other programs at GCU you might want to explore:

• M.A. in Administration and Leadership
• M.Ed. or Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders
• M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration
• Bilingual/Bicultural Education Endorsement
• Early Childhood Endorsement and M.Ed. Option
• English as a Second Language Endorsement and M.Ed. Option
• Teacher of Students With Disabilities Endorsement and M.Ed. Option
• M.A. or Certificate in Instructional Technology
• M.Ed. in Reading/Literacy Specialization
• School Business Administrator Post-Master’s Endorsement
• M.Ed. in School Counseling
• Director of School Counseling Services Endorsement
• School Supervisor Post-Master’s Endorsement