Master of Arts with a Major in Teaching: Special Education - General Curriculum
 

The online M.A. for Teachers: Special Education-General Curriculum Option is designed to prepare new teacher to teach PK-12 grade students with disabilities who are being served in a general curriculum program. Courses include a focus on co-teaching and access to the general education curriculum. Successful completion of the M.A.T. program will result in recommendation for initial certification in Special Education General Curriculum in the State of Georgia and a M.A.T. degree from Valdosta State University. Courses in this program are offered in collaboration with North Georgia College & State University. The program will focus on preparing candidates with the knowledge and skills to implement evidence-based interventions that have a positive impact on the PK-12 learner. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate competence in assessment, teaching, and the ability to implement and evaluate specific teaching strategies. The program is aligned with the NCATE and CEC (Council for Exceptional Children) Standards.

To apply for the M.A.T. in Special Education/General Curriculum, please select the Apply Now link above to access the online application.  The admission structure for this program is a sequenced, two-semester admission process.  The first semester is called the Quick Admit or Semester One review.  Admission for Semester One/Quick Admission is a provisional admission and it is good for one semester only.

To be considered for Semester One/Quick Admission Review, applicants must:

• Submit an online application for admission. Click here or visit the Apply Now link above to proceed to the online application.
• Submit $50 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid online by debit or credit card.
• Submit official transcripts from each institution where an applicant has previously enrolled (undergraduate and graduate coursework). Transcripts of coursework completed at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School.  Former VSU students are only required to submit transcripts of all coursework completed elsewhere.
• Be employed as a teacher and spend a minimum of twenty hours per week in a classroom with student(s) receiving special education services. The teaching position does not specifically have to be as a special educator - as long as at least one student is receiving special education services (appropriate to the general curriculum or adapted curriculum program, depending upon the track the candidate seeks to enter) is included in the classroom setting. This position will be verified by submission of the Verification of Employment as a Teacher form. This form must be completed by the school principal, and the original document received by the Graduate School for admissions purposes.
  • Verification of Employment as a Teacher Form (Word 2003 Version)
  • Verification of Employment as a Teacher Form (PDF)
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
• Have an overall grade-point average of 2.50 based on all attempted college-level undergraduate and graduate coursework.

Processing Time: 1-2 weeks from receipt of all required documents

Admission Notification Method: Email only

To be reviewed for Semester One/Quick Admit, all required documents must be submitted prior to close of business on the application deadline.  For semester deadlines visit the VSU GOML Calendar.

Once Quick Admitted for Semester One, applicants must begin fulfilling the remaining Semester Two requirements.  To be reviewed for full, Semester Two admission, applicants must:

• Submit official scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) which meet or exceed the minimum required for admission. The minimum GRE score is 750 overall (Verbal score plus either the Quantitative or Analytical score) with a Verbal score of 350 or higher. The minimum MAT score is 375.
• Provide documentation of passing scores on the GACE Basic Skills or documentation of an exemption based on the SAT (1000 Verbal plus Quantitative); ACT (43 English plus Math); GRE (1030 Verbal plus Quantitative); or receipt of a master's degree from a PSC-accepted, regionally accredited institution (documented by official transcript showing degree awarded and date awarded). .
• Complete the student information section (top of page) and distance learning exemption (bottom of page) on the VSU Medical Form

Processing Time: A minimum of two weeks for Semester Two decisions following receipt of all required documents (additional time may apply due to mailing time)

Admission Notification Method: Postal mail only

To be reviewed for Semester Two, applicants must complete all requirements prior to the application deadline for that term (see VSU GOML Calendar). Students are not permitted to register for Semester Two courses until they receive full, semester two admission and receive their letter. Be aware:

• You are encouraged to complete Semester Two requirements well in advance of the deadline.  Failing to do so will delay registration and may impact course availability.  Course availability is not guaranteed.
• Students who fail to submit all Semester Two requirements prior to the admission deadline will forfeit their place in the program, must not enroll for at least one semester, and must submit a new application and fee for a future term to resume coursework. Quick Admission for Semester One is offered once per student, per program.

Submit all admission materials to:

VSU College of Education

• Individuals seeking to enter the M.A.T. program who are currently enrolled in a graduate program at another institution follow the same application process and are required to submit all the same documents, as a standard applicant.
• A maximum of 6 semester hours of graduate coursework may be considered for transfer credit for the M.A.T. in Special Education program.
• Credit hours must be less than 7 years of age at the point of degree completion.
• Evidence of graduate coursework completed prior to entering the M.A.T. program must be documented in the form of an official transcript during the admission process.
• Eligibility for transfer credit will be determined by the student’s academic advisor. Additional documentation (i.e., course descriptions or course syllabi) may be requested for evaluation purposes.
• Students who receive transfer credit will be notified by the academic department.

Admission deadlines are defined as the last day in which application materials will be accepted for admission review for that term. Applications which are incomplete (this includes an application submitted on the deadline without all required materials) at VSU close of business on the deadline, will not be reviewed for that term. 

Applications for the M.A.T. program are accepted only one semester in advance.  Admission deadlines for each term are available on the VSU GOML Calendar.

Deadlines for Semester One/Quick Admission applicants and Semester Two students are the same.

Students enrolled in the program will use the online courses to conduct all work, including team functions, exams, discussion posts, and case studies. Students also have access to academic resources, such as an online library. Courses are asynchronous. No face-to-face meetings are required. Students may participate in IP videoconferencing/audio-conferencing for instruction or field experience supervision. The courses combine text materials, case studies, online team projects and assignments, as well as discussions and written project work. Grades may be based on reports, exams, assigned case studies, and participation in course and team activities.

The tuition and fees for courses in the MAT program is $350 per credit hour or $1050 per 3 semester hour course, for both in-state and out-of-state residents.  The program is a total of 36 semester hours in length. This cost excludes the purchase of textbooks or supplemental materials.

M.A.T. students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans through the VSU Office of Financial Aid.  For information on Financial Aid contact the VSU Office of Financial Aid at 229-333-5935.

M.A.T. students who have received full, Semester Two admission to the M.A.T. in Special Education program may be eligible for the Hope Teacher Scholarship. This program is an eligible program for the 2008-2009 academic year. Funds are limited. For additional information visit the Hope Teacher Scholarship page or contact Ms. Sheree Hudson at schudson@valdosta.edu. To download a Hope application visit https://secure.gacollege411.org/AdmissionApp/ServiceCancelableLoans/teaching.asp and select ‘Hope Teacher (Graduate)’.