MAT in Education with a Concentration in Health and Physical Education

Program Coordinator

Dr. Matthew Grant 
Email: matgrant@valdosta.edu
Phone: 229-333-7161

Admission Deadlines

Summer Semester: February 15

This program does not admit spring or fall semester. 

Admissions Requirements

Online Graduate Application

Must apply to the Valdosta State University Graduate School through the Online Graduate Application.

Transcripts

One Official Transcript from each institution where you have previously enrolled (undergraduate and graduate).

• GRE or MAT Official Score Report (if not meeting the 2.75 GPA requirement).
• Must hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
• Minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average (GPA) or combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. VSU has a “no forgiveness policy” when calculating GPAs.  Applicants not meeting the required GPA may be eligible for admission by an alternative pathway.*
• Must have a competitive score on either the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Recommended minimum scores:
  • GRE: Verbal - 143 and Quantitative - 138 (or 750 combined higher if taken before August 1, 2011) 
  • MAT: 375

GACE Program Admission Assessment (previously GACE Basic Skills)

Submit passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or exempt by acceptable SAT, ACT, or GRE scores.

Exemption Scores:

• an SAT score of 1000 or greater, or
• an ACT score of 43 or greater, or
• a GRE score of 297 Verbal and Quantitative (or 1030 or higher if taken before August 1, 2011)

Two Recommendations

Submit two recommendations from professionals familiar with your professional or academic background. Download the recommendation form from the Graduate School website. 

Personal Statement

Personal statement explaining what has led to your decision to become an educator. The statement should be no longer than 300 words.

Considering you are applying to a fully online degree program, describe (1) how this program will help you accomplish your career goals and (2) how your backgrounds, experiences, interests, or identities will add to the learning of other students within your cohort.

Verification of Lawful Presence

• This documentation is not required for individuals who do not qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.
• This documentation must be received prior to enrollment (if applicable), NOT prior to admission.
• Citizenship documentation is needed for any applicant who wishes to be considered for in-state tuition.
• Complete list of accepted documents and information on residency.

*Admission by Alternative Pathway Requirements

Must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA or combined undergraduate and graduate GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale AND meet requirements for one of the following alternative pathways:

• Alternative Pathway 1: Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree (i.e. 3000 and 4000 level coursework); or 
• Alternative Pathway 2: Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in all graduate coursework (must have completed at least 6 credit hours of graduate work in which a letter grade was awarded); or
• Alternative Pathway 3: Have an undergraduate GPA earned ten or more years prior to admission

Program Resources

Program Maps

• Program of Study (Track 1) - Required for those who are not currently employed in a P-12 setting.
• Program of Study (Track 2) - Required for those who are currently employed in a P-12 setting.

Graduation Requirements

• Candidates must succefully complete the KSPE 2999 requirement the first semester of enrollment to progress in the program. 
• Candidates must fulfill the SPEC 3000 requirement prior to program completion.

Internships

All placements for field experiences and clinical practice will be coordinated through the COEHS Office of Clinical Experiences and Certification and the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education.

 Candidates employed in a P-12 school will be required to complete all applied assignments in KSPE 6700, KSPE 6710, KSPE 6911, and KSPE 6790. Employed candidates may complete these applied assignments in their own classrooms/schools when the grade levels are appropriate. 

 To ensure candidates have experience in all required grade levels, they will be placed in an appropriate school to complete assignments that are not appropriate for their current teaching assignment. An employer verification and consent form in which the principal gives consent for the candidates to complete field experiences in other schools will be required prior earning an S in KSPE 2999 and enrollment in the methods courses. 

KSPE 6700 Elementary Physical Education Content & Methods (First Fall Semester)

No less than 30 hours are expected to be completed in a health and/or physical education elementary setting with a mentor with no less than three years’ experience, who is currently teaching health and/or physical education, and who is licensed to teach health and/or physical education. 

KSPE 6710 Middle Grades & Secondary Phys. Ed. And Health Content & Methods (First Spring Semester)

No less than 30 hours are expected to be completed in a health and/or physical middle or high school setting with a mentor with no less than three years’ experience, who is currently teaching health and/or physical education, and who is licensed to teach health and/or physical education. 

KSPE 6911 Special Populations & Diversity in Sport and Phys. Ed. Methods (Second Fall Semester)

****Employed teachers will complete edTPA during this course. 

No less than 30 hours are expected to be completed in a health and/or physical education middle or high school setting with a mentor with no less than three years’ experience, who is currently teaching health and/or physical education, and who is licensed to teach health and/or physical education. This placement also requires experience in a special education/adaptive classroom. 

KSPE 6790 Student Teaching in Health & Physical Education or  KSPE 6890 Internship in Health & Physical Education

****Non-employed candidates will complete edTPA during this course. 

No less than 16 full weeks are expected to be completed in a school in a health and/or physical education setting with a mentor with no less than three years’ experience, who is currently teaching health and/or physical education, and who is licensed to teach health and/or physical education. 

Careers

• Athletic Director
• Certified Health Educator
• Certified Physical Education Teacher
• Coach
• Community Center Athletic Director
• Community Recreation Director
• Corporate Trainer

• Dance Instructor
• Nutrition Instructor
• Sports Camp Director
• Sports Camp Instructor
• Wellness Coordinator
• Wellness Instructor