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Master of Arts in Teaching

YHC online MAT fits the schedule of new and aspiring teachers. It leads to professional certification at the Master’s level in less than 12 months, for $9,000, in the settings of your choice.

About Teaching at Young Harris College

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Program Length

To help you pursue a teaching career—while being mindful of your time and budget—Young Harris College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) that can be completed in just three semesters: summer, fall and spring.

Content Areas

The YHC MAT program is for students with a baccalaureate degree who wish to obtain initial teacher certification in biology, broad field science, English, history or mathematics. The program prepares graduates for teacher certification in grades 6-12.

Instruction Format

Starting in the summer semester, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses taught asynchronously online. YHC will coordinate opportunities for you to do field studies at a school in the fall semester and student teach at a school in the spring semester. When you graduate from the YHC MAT program, you’ll have both the academic and practical experience you need for a bright career in education.

Certification & State Licensing

The Teacher Preparation Program includes degree programs that lead to initial certification in the state of Georgia, but each U.S. state or territory defines its own requirements for licensing. Learn more about profession licensure here.

STATE-BY-STATE LICENSURE

YHC’s Teacher Preparation Program does fulfill licensure educational requirements for licensure in Georgia and certain states. Some of these states have reciprocity agreements with Georgia but do also require extra coursework and/or assessments. Click on the link below for more details.

State-By-State PDF

The state of Georgia is a member of NASDTEC Interstate Agreement for teacher licensure. In order to qualify for this reciprocity, teacher candidates must first obtain Georgia certification. States may issue a certificate based upon reciprocity for a professional certificate from the GaPSC. Contact the Board of Education in the state you wish to teach for additional requirements. For assistance with this process please make an appointment with the Certification Officer in the Department of Education. More information can be also be found at the NASCTEC information page for out-of-state applicants.

Application

The ultra-streamlined application process takes minutes. You also don’t have to do it alone; you’ll work closely with an Admissions Counselor or MAT Program Coordinator to make sure everything is as simple as possible. Apply today! (link application)

Curriculum

Here’s a look at the curriculum for the Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education with concentrations in biology, English, history or mathematics.

View the Course Catalog

EDUC 5002: Teaching Exceptional Learners (3 hours)

EDUC 5003: Adolescent Development and Theories of Learning (3 hours)

EDUC 5005: Technology Integration for Teachers (1 hour)

EDUC 5018: Principles of the Social Curriculum (3 hours)

EDUC 5019: Assessment and Evaluation for Teacher Decision Making (4 hours)

EDUC 5027: Literacy in the Content Areas (3 hours)

EDUC 5100: Advanced Instructional Concepts (3 hours)

EDUC 5401: Early Field Studies Seminar (1 hour)

EDUC 5402: Mid Field Studies Seminar (5 hours)

EDUC 5403: Advanced Field Studies Seminar (4 hours)

EDUC 5411: Student Teaching Internship (9 hours)

Plus a teaching methods course specific to your content area:

EDUC 5023-6: Models and Methods for Teaching (English / History / Math / Life Science) to Diverse Learners (3 hours)

Total: 42 Hours

Program benefits

Our MAT program faculty members are committed to preparing innovative, successful teacher-leaders.
The MAT coursework offers opportunities for students to deepen expertise in their subject areas, while learning practical skills for success in the classroom.
Because YHC has relationships with schools in North Georgia and the southern Appalachian region, our MAT students receive convenient, local placements with exceptional teachers.
YHC’s MAT program encourages teachers’ learning-filled lives and accelerates their entry into rewarding careers as teachers. The program provides students with personalized support, practical experience and a network of like-minded professionals.

View Program Handbook (PDF)

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition for YHC’s Master of Arts in Teaching is $9,000 for the one-year program, inclusive of course materials. To apply for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Learn more about tuition and aid

For more information, contact [email protected] or reach out to Education Department Chair, Dr. Diane Vautrot.

Degree Progress & Certification

The Master of Arts in Teaching is a professional program to prepare students for initial teacher certification. Students are required to obtain and must hold a Pre-Service Certificate with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) for the duration of the program.

Students accepted to the MAT program are also enrolled in the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) and must meet all program requirements as outlined in the Young Harris College Master of Arts in Teaching handbook in order to be recommended for initial certification.

Sample Course Schedule

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Summer Term (8 weeks, beginning of June – end of July)

EDUC 5018: Principles of the Social Curriculum
EDUC 5003: Adolescent Development and Theories of Learning
EDUC 5005: Technology Integration for Teachers
EDUC 5027: Literacy in the Content Areas

Fall Term (August – mid-Dec)

EDUC 5002: Teaching Exceptional Learners
EDUC 5019: Assessment and Evaluation for Teacher Decision Making
EDUC 5023-5026: Models and Methods for Teaching [History, English, Math, Life Science] to Diverse Learners
EDUC 5401: Early Field Studies Seminar
EDUC 5402: Mid Field Studies Seminar

Spring Term (January – early-May)

EDUC 5100: Advanced Instructional Concepts
EDUC 5403: Advanced Field Studies Seminar
EDUC 5411: Student Teaching Internship

I’m Randy Fillingame. I teach AMDM and Foundations of Algebra at Fitzgerald High School College and Career Academy down in South Georgia, and I’m currently working on my Master of Arts in Teaching at Young Harris College.

Let me just say—this program has been exactly what I needed. As a full-time Teacher and Football Coach, I was looking for something that would challenge me, support me, and help me grow in the classroom without completely overwhelming my schedule. Young Harris has done all of that and more.

The professors have been incredible. What I love most about the program is that it feels personal. You’re not just a number here. The faculty actually care about your success and are there to support you every step of the way. If you’re thinking about going into teaching, or you’re already in the classroom like me and want to sharpen your skills, I highly recommend the MAT program at Young Harris College. It’s a great fit for real educators with real goals.

Randy Fillingame YHC MAT Student