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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Minimum of 55 semester hours

Where can I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Am I required to take classes at a specific location?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: Does not admit
  • Spring: Does not admit
  • Summer: February 15

Elementary Education (UACM), M.A.T.

Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Email: ecemail@gsu.edu
Phone: 404-413-8020

The M.A.T. in elementary education is an exciting alternative teaching certification and master’s degree program that celebrates urban education of elementary school students (pre-kindergarten through 5th grades). Each year, up to 25 master’s degree students are accepted into a new cohort.

This program promotes the success of elementary students taught in urban schools through the development of competent, equity-oriented, caring, empowered teachers who are change agents inside and outside the classroom. We believe teaching is a profession and our team of experienced and dedicated faculty guide our candidates to become experts in the field of teaching and learning.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

Program Highlights

If you have a college degree (baccalaureate degree or higher) but are not certified to teach, our program might be right for you. 

Our program is an exciting initial certification and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement program, which prepares teachers (pre-kindergarten through 5th grade) to teach in an urban environment.

Alumnus and mentor teacher Ryan Harry talks about the program

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

When applying to the Elementary Education, M.A.T. program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • $50 Application Fee
  • Goals Statement (upload with the application)
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application)
  • Official Transcript: minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA required for admission
    • submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to gradapplytranscripts@gsu.edu or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302

In order to meet certification requirements in Georgia, you will also need to complete the following prior to program admission:

Please Note:

Interviews will be conducted by department faculty — you will be notified if you are selected for an interview.

Program of Study

Professional Studies (9)
Required (6):

  • EPRS 7910 Action Research (3)
  • EPY 7090 The Psychology of Learning and Learners: The Young Child (3)

Select one course (3):

Teaching/Field Courses (40)

  • ECE 6360 Culturally Responsive Pedagogy (6)
  • ECE 6370 Classroom Management and Instruction (3)
  • ECE 6375 Responsive Practice for Urban Education (3)
  • ECE 6380 Foundation of Literacy Instruction for Young Children (3)
  • ECE 6385 Teaching Literacy to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners I (3)
  • ECE 6387 ESOL: Language Acquisition (3)
  • ECE 6390 Elementary Mathematics Curriculum and Pedagogy (2)
  • ECE 6391 Teaching Mathematics in Urban Schools (3)
  • ECE 6392 Critical Issues in Elementary Mathematics (2)
  • ECE 6406 Science in the Urban Classroom (3)
  • ECE 6407 Social Studies Methods for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners (3)
  • ECE 4650 Opening School Experience (0)
  • ECE 6655 Student Teaching I (3)
  • ECE 6656 Student Teaching II (3)

Optional English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsement: If students would like to complete the ESOL endorsement, they must complete ECE 6657 ESOL Student Teaching (2).

Optional STEM endorsement: If students would like to complete the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) endorsement, they must complete ECE 8450, ECE 8455 and ECE 8660.

Teaching Internship Requirements (6)
Candidates must be employed as a full-time teachers in urban classrooms to complete teaching internships.

  • ECE 6660 Mentorship in the Urban Classroom I (3)
  • ECE 6800 Urban Education Capstone Seminar (3)

Program Total: Minimum of 55 semester hours

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, from assistantships to fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

Our calculator can help you get an idea of the costs associated with attending the university.

Description

Careers

Our program prepares teachers (pre-kindergarten through 5th grade) to teach in an urban environment.

Contacts

Program Coordinator
Nancy Jo Schafer, Ph.D.
Phone: 404-413-8023
njs@gsu.edu

Program Contact
Phone: 404-413-8206
Fax: 404-413-8023
UACM@gsu.edu

Mailing Address & Office Location
College of Education & Human Development
Suite 550
30 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.