UGA Graduate School - Degree Programs: Early Childhood Education (MAT)

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Early Childhood Education (MAT)

Degree: Masters Degrees

The Early Childhood Education Program offers two Masters degrees. The Master of Education degree (MEd) is for individuals who already hold teacher certification. The Master of Arts in Teaching degree program (MAT ECCO) is for individuals who wish to gain initial certification to teach PK-5th grades along with earning a Masters degree.

School/College	College of Education Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602-7101 Phone: 706/542-6446
Academic Department	Educational Theory and Practice Aderhold Hall Athens, GA 30602-7177 Phone: 706/542-4244

Contacts
Graduate Coordinator	Jennifer H. James	706/542-4244
The Master of Arts for Teachers (MAT) degree program is designed for college graduates who seek to teach children in pre-kindergarten to second grade and is cooperatively run in coordination with the Department of Child and Family Development. The purpose of the program is to develop exemplary teachers of young children for public or private settings. Upon completion students receive a Master of Arts for Teachers degree and are eligible for T5 Pre-K to 5th grade certification in Georgia. Entrance requirements are a minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA; a GRE score of 950 or higher (with at least a 400 on each subtest), or a MAT score of at least 402; and a passing score (220) or better on the Georgia Assessments for Certification of Educators (GACE) or scores at or above 1000 SAT, 43 ACT, or 1030 GRE. The admissions review process takes place during the spring semester. Students can begin coursework during the summer or fall semesters. The application deadline for summer and fall entry is February 25th. The two Master’s degree programs that provide teacher certification are called the ECCO and MAT programs. The Early Childhood Certification Option (ECCO) program is designed for college graduates who seek to teach children in pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. ECCO graduates are eligible for T5 certification in Georgia. Entrance requirements are a minimum 2.75 undergraduate GPA and a GRE score of 850 or higher (with at least a 400 on each subtest), or an MAT score of at least 402. Candidates are admitted to ECCO once a year. All application materials are due by January 15. The admissions review process takes place during the spring semester; all admitted candidates must take the initial course, offered weekday evenings during May-June “Maymester” term.
Degree	Code	Course Descriptions
MAT	222	Find Courses

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