The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program in Health and Physical Education is designed to provide both a master’s degree and initial teacher certification at the T-5 level for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree in a closely related field of study (e.g. exercise science, athletic training). Certification in this field is for grades Pre-K through 12. The M.A.T. provides professional and pedagogical studies that develop proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and habits of beginning teachers. While specific course work is in place to ensure meeting teacher certification requirements set by the Professional Standards Commission, aspects of the program are individually designed based on a transcript evaluation.

Successful completion of the M.A.T. program and passing scores on the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) basic skills and content tests allow the candidate to be recommended to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for teacher certification at the T-5 level (i.e., the letter “T” indicates that the certificate is in a teaching field and the number “5” indicates that the candidate’s highest degree is a master’s degree recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission).