YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College has earned approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to offer a master of arts in teaching degree program beginning in January 2019. The College was also approved to begin offering more than 49% of a program online.
The master of arts in teaching (MAT) program is designed for persons with a baccalaureate degree who wish to obtain initial teacher certification in biology, English, history or mathematics. The College’s Department of Education currently offers baccalaureate degree programs to serve our traditional on-campus students. The MAT will provide an opportunity for a Georgia educator teaching English, history, math, or science under a non-renewable certificate to become qualified for a renewable certificate in just one year of study.
“The master of arts in teaching is the beginning of a new chapter in Young Harris College’s story,” said Provost Jason Pierce, Ph.D. “The MAT, which received initial approval from SACSCOC, our regional accreditor, just this month, was chosen because it affords the greatest opportunity to serve the people and communities of north Georgia.”
YHC’s MAT program is a one-year, 42 credit hours program. Graduate students will begin the MAT program in the Summer term, to prepare them for teaching the following Fall.
“The 12-month program, which will be offered on-site and via distance education using Cisco’s Webex videoconferencing platform, consists of courses offered in the summer, fall and spring,” said Dr. Pierce.
The Georgia Department of Labor projects that our region alone is likely to need nearly 150 new teachers per year every year through 2024.
“Perhaps most noteworthy is that tuition for the MAT will be just $9,000, making it one of the most affordable teacher certification programs not just in Georgia, but nationwide,” said Dr. Pierce. “Once the MAT is up and running, we look forward to adding other graduate degree programs to continue serving north Georgia and regions beyond.”
“We are proud to being offering a master of arts in teaching because we know this addition will continue to allow the College to best serve our students and our community,” said President Drew L. Van Horn. “The fact that we are welcoming an MAT program and four new majors in the upcoming academic year is a testament to the … strides for the future of the College.”
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,100 students across three divisions—Arts and Humanities, Professional Studies, and Mathematics, Science, and Technology. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., has completed major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. The College is an active member of NCAA Division II and remains a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. YHC is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2017-2018 list of Colleges of Distinction and is listed as a “Best National Liberal Arts College” by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
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