The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program in middle grades education is designed for individuals holding a bachelor's degree in a closely related field who wish to obtain a teaching certificate and master's degree in middle grades education. Certification in this field is for grades 4 through 8. The M.A.T. provides professional and pedagogical studies that develop proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and habits of beginning teachers. Candidates must select two concentrations (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Reading) and have a minimum of 15 hours of coursework in each concentration.

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).