Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program in Elementary Education at Reinhardt University is designed for college graduates with undergraduate degrees in fields other than education who are planning a career in the teaching profession and are seeking initial certification.

The MAT Program includes advanced content preparation as well as elementary education coursework. Completion of the MAT Program leads to a master’s degree (MAT) and a Certificate of Eligibility - Level 5 in Elementary Education (P-5).

MAT Program Coordinator

Lynda Chisholm, Ed.D. Assistant 
Professor of Education 
770-720-5645
lgc@reinhardt.edu

MAT Mission

The mission of the Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program in Elementary Education at Reinhardt University is to develop our candidate teachers into effective teachers who provide quality 21^st century classroom instructional skills and strategies that optimize successful learning for all students. In support of Price School of Education’s mission and learning outcomes, the MAT program provides teacher candidates with the following instructional practices:

Collaboration and Support

All MAT candidates who enter the MAT Program bring with them a variety of undergraduate backgrounds and experiences. Throughout the program, our MAT candidate teachers are provided a community of learning, support, and guidance from Price School of Education. In this environment, each MAT candidate teacher can develop collaborative partnerships and receive leadership from faculty and staff that is knowledgeable, consistent, and accessible to all candidates. In this supportive environment, candidates successfully develop 21st Century Classroom instructional skills that define effective teaching and learning while meeting the diverse needs of all students.

Differentiation and Assessment

Differentiated instruction in a typical classroom recognizes that students vary in their academic abilities, learning styles, interests, background knowledge, experiences, and levels of motivation for learning. When a teacher differentiates instruction, he or she uses a variety of instructional and assessment strategies that generate critical data used to create different pathways that respond to the needs of all learners. Likewise, the MAT Program models these beliefs, attitudes, and practices of differentiated instruction for our candidates and provides powerful examples of what a differentiated classroom looks like and how it positively impacts student learning.

Care and Challenge

The MAT Program is based on the belief that student differences should be understood, appreciated, and engaged through respectful, fair, and authentic work. This is achieved in a collaborative, caring, and academically challenging classroom environment. Teaching practice is strengthened when each MAT candidate explores and implements multiple approaches and strategies for meeting the learning needs of all students. The MAT Program assists the candidate teacher in developing an academic setting that encourages critical thinking and problem-solving while challenging all students in an engaging, supportive, student-focused learning environment that celebrates the differences and talents of all students.

Classroom Field Experience, Clinical Practice, and Clinical Residency

The MAT Program ensures that our MAT candidate teachers have numerous, highly-effective and well- designed field experience opportunities to examine quality curriculum, relevant and highly engaged instruction from our collaborative teachers. This active, hands-on experience is found within positive, supportive classroom environments. Extensive field experience and Clinical Practice will work toward preparing our MAT candidate teachers for successful Clinical Residency and a future of effective teaching and successful learning for all students.
 

MAT Initial Admission Requirements

All admission documents should be sent to the following address:

Office of Admissions 
Reinhardt University 
7300 Reinhardt Circle
Waleska, GA 30183
PHONE: 770-720-5526
e-mail: admissions@reinehardt.edu

The MAT Program in Elementary Education encourages you to apply early. New students are only accepted for summer term; the next entry point will be May of 2024. All admission documents should be submitted by April 15, 2024 for the May 2024 cohort.

Admission Steps

1. Complete and submit the Online Application for Admission.
2. Contact all postsecondary schools (colleges, universities and technical schools) you attended, whether you earned credit or not, and have each send Reinhardt an official transcript.
   
   If a transcript includes any graduate classes, you should have left the graduate program in good standing.
   
   If your transcripts could be under a different last name or maiden name, please note on the appropriate line on the application. One transcript must reflect a Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
   
   NOTE: Applicants with a GPA between 2.5 and 2.75 should contact the Office of Admissions for information about an appeals process.
    
3. The applicant must complete the GACE Georgia Educator Ethics – Program Entry (Test 350) Assessment.
   
   The applicant should add Reinhardt University as a score recipient when he or she registers for Test Code 350 in order for Reinhardt University to receive notice that the applicant has completed the assessment. For specific information about the new Educator Ethics Assessment, go to http://gace.ets.org/ethics/about.
    
4. The applicant should submit a signed consent form for a Criminal Background Check.
   
   After completing these 4 steps, an applicant will receive a letter about his or her admission status from the Office of Admissions.
    
5. Applicants might be required to submit additional documentation as part of the admissions process and/or interview with Admissions Committee members before an admissions decision is completed. Applicants will be notified of these required steps if applicable.
6. Applicants who are admitted to the MAT will be sent the following forms to complete and return to the Office of Admissions: a Letter of Commitment, a Registration form, and an application for Pre-Service Certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Transfer Credit

Because the MAT Program follows a cohort model, no transfer courses are accepted for credit.

MAT Student Learning Outcomes

To best facilitate the DATA Model for Responsive Teaching, the faculty of the Price School of Education has established the following Learning Outcomes:

1. The MAT candidate uses knowledge of curriculum, learner differences, and ongoing assessment data to plan for student access to the same essential content.
2. The MAT candidate utilizes a variety of strategies to differentiate instruction and provide an academically challenging environment for all students.
3. The teacher/candidate uses systematic formal/informal assessment as an ongoing diagnostic activity to measure student growth and to guide, differentiate, and adjust instruction.
4. The teacher/candidate displays a professional commitment to the teaching philosophy of differentiated instruction to support students’ diverse learning needs and to maximize learning.

Attendance

Graduate Students are expected to participate each week in required assignments as scheduled by the instructor. This may require collaboration among classmates and outside research.

Academic Performance

MAT students are expected to earn grades of “A” or “B” in their course work. Only one (1) course grade of “C” may be included in the computation for degree completion. A second course grade of “C” will result in Academic Probation. The course must be retaken to count toward degree completion. A third course grade of “C” or a first course grade of “F” will result in Academic Dismissal.

A student may appeal a dismissal by submitting a letter to the Vice President for Academic Affairs describing the condition and identifying the reasons for seeking a positive decision of the appeal.

See also Grade Appeals and Enrollment Related Appeals under Appeals and Petitions.

Graduation Requirements:

• A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, and
• No more than (1) one “C” in the program, counted toward degree completion, regardless of the GPA.
• Passing grade on the elementary Education GACE I and II.

See Academic Performance and Degree Completion Requirements.