Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program is for individuals who possess a degree other than education and wish to become initially certified teachers in a teaching field comparable to their undergraduate degrees.

Refer to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Seven Steps to Teaching, No. 7, for a list of undergraduate degrees, comparable initial certification fields, and GACE tests required.

• If you are seeking initial teaching certification in a teaching field not associated with your undergraduate degree, you should submit a copy of your undergraduate transcript to the Office of Graduate Admissions for evaluation by an academic advisor for content courses.
• If additional content courses are required, these courses must be completed before beginning a MAT program.

North Georgia College & State University offers Master of Arts in Teaching programs in the following teaching fields

• Master of Arts in Teaching program is cohort format
• Cohorts start summer semesters only
• 39 credit semester hours
• Application deadline is April 1

Graduate Admissions Procedures

• Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions or from  Graduate Admissions Downloadable Forms. 
• When all application materials required to make an admission decision have been received by the Office of Graduate Admission, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of application materials will be forwarded to Teacher Education.
• Notification from Teacher Education will be mailed to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.
• Students who are admitted, but do not enroll within one year of acceptance, must reapply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three semesters must reapply.
• Application materials are kept for one year for incomplete files and for three years for individuals who complete an application and are accepted, but do not enroll.

Regular Admission Requirements

1. Baccalaureate from a regionally accredited four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admission procedures.
   International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) Evaluations must include ceritification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
2. Score at least 900 (verbal & quantitative combined) on the GRE (General Recored Exam) or
   score at least 391 on the Miller Analogy Test (MAT)
   Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
3. Satisfy applicable GACE tests requirements.

Application Checklist for Regular Admission

• Graduate Admissions application and Education Supplemental Application form.
• $40 application fee.
• Two sets of official transcripts from each regionally accredited institution of higher education previously attended.
  You do not have to request official transcripts if you graduated from North Georgia.
  An international transcript must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES)
  Evaluations must include ceritification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
• Official scores on either the GRE (General Recored Exam) or Miller Analogy Test (MAT).
  Only those scores that are less than six years old will be considered.
• GACE Skills Test scores (copies are acceptable).
  You may exempt GACE Skills with a SAT score of 1,000, or ACT score of 43, or GRE score of 1,030, or a Master's degree in any major. Submit documentation of exemption (copies are acceptable).
• GACE Subject Test scores (copies are acceptable).
  Check the Georgia Professional Standards Commission web site for subject tests required.
  GACE Subject must be satisfied before the beginning of the second semester of the program or student will not be allowed to continue.
  GACE Subject for MAT in Special Education is not required before acceptance, but is required before certification.
• Background check consent form.
• North Georgia Immunization Certification form, in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. 
  Former North Georgia students are required to meet new immunization requirements.

Non-Degree Admission

Individuals unable to begin a Master in Arts program but interested in taking content graduate-level courses, may apply for admission as non-degree graduate students.

Non-degree applicants must have a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admission procedures is required.

• Registration is based on seat availability.
• No more than 12 hours of graduate credit earned under non-degree status may subsequently be applied toward meeting the requirements of an education graduate degree program, must have approval of program coordinator to be used toward a degree, and hours are subject to the six-year limit for degree completion.
• Pre-approval is required before registration.
• Registration for graduate-level education core classes is prohibited under this status without prior approval by the department and based on seat availability.
• Any grade earned less than a "B" under non-degree status will be reviewed.
• Financial aid is not available for non-degree admission status.

Application Checklist for Non-Degree Admission

1. Graduate admissions application and education supplemental application form.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Two sets of official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. If you received your undergraduate degree from North Georgia, you do not need to request transcripts.
   An international transcript must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation completed by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES)
   Evaluation must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
4. North Georgia immunization certification form, in accordance with Board of Regents policy.
   Former North Georgia students are required to meet new immunization requirements.

Application Deadlines for Non-Degree Admission

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision.

• Appeals must be made in written form to the Student Admissions & Appeals Committee, c/o School of Education Dean's Office, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA 30597.
• The letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal.
• Students whose appeal is accepted will be admitted as a provisional student and must complete at least six hours with a grade no less than B to be considered for regular admission.
• Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking classes under a provsional admission status.
• Students cannot appeal for regular admission.