Health and Physical Education (MAT)

Overview

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program in Health and Physical Education is designed to provide both a master’s degree and initial teacher certification at the T-5 level for individuals holding a bachelor’s degree. Certification in this field is for grades P-12. The M.A.T. provides professional and pedagogical studies that develop proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and habits of beginning teachers. 

All educator preparation programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. In addition to the degree requirements, there are further requirements for teaching certification. Visit the Certification page on the CSU Center for Quality Teaching and Learning (CQTL) website for detailed information about certification requirements and the certification process.

Program of Study 

Area 1 Professional Core
EDUF 6116Educational Research Methods3
EDUT 6105Technology Infusion3
EDUC 5140GFoundations of Reading, Literacy, and Language3
Area 1 Total9
Area 2 Concentration: General Requirements
KINS 5215GThe Development of Motor Skills: A Lifespan Perspective3
PHED 6116Analysis of Teaching Behavior in Physical Education3
PHED 6219Physical Education for Students with Disabilities (Students must earn a grade of B or better in order to be certified to teach in the state of Georgia.)3
Electives Any 3 hours at the graduate level from HESC, PHED, or other approved course3
Area 2 Concentration: Teaching Core
KINS 5216GPhysical Education in the Secondary School4
KINS 5218GTeaching Health in P-8 Schools2
or KINS 5219G Teaching Health in High School
KINS 5217GPhysical Education in the Elementary School3
PHED 6485Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education3
or EDCI 6698 Teaching Internship
Area 2 Total24
Area 3: Other Requirements0
KINS 4000Fitness Testing for Health and Physical Education Certification Concentration0
PHED 6000Health and Physical Education Exit Exam0
Area 3 Total
Total Credit Hours33

Admission Requirements  

Program Admission Requirements

  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 (regular admission) or 2.50 (provisional admission) on all undergraduate work at an accredited United States institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a baccalaureate degree.
  • A passing score on the Health and Physical Education GACE Content Assessment
  • Candidates who graduated from a bachelor’s degree program can be provisionally admitted in the absence of a GACE assessment score; however, this requirement must be completed during the first semester enrolled.
 

Teacher Education Admission Requirements

  • Candidates must apply for Teacher Education during their first semester, after being admitted and starting classes.
  • Admission to Teacher Education is completed through TK20. Candidates must have been admitted into the university and registered for courses at least two weeks before purchasing TK20. Information on Tk20 is located at: https://www.columbusstate.edu/education-and-health-professions/tk20.php
  • Candidates must meet all requirements for admission to Teacher Education during their first semester of enrollment in the MAT program. For a list of requirements visit https://cqtl.columbusstate.edu/teacher-education.php
 

Additional Program Requirements

  • Students must earn a 3.0 GPA calculated on all graduate work attempted. "Academic Forgiveness" policy does not apply to graduate studies
  • Students cannot graduate with a grade of "C" or below in more than two (2) graduate courses
  • A minimum of one third of the graduate credit hours required for a master's degree or specialist degree must be taken at Columbus State University. Asynchronous (online) and distance learning courses administered through Columbus State University constitute courses taken in residence
  • Transfer courses must be approved by the students’ advisor and program coordinator. Courses with earned grades of "C" or below cannot be transferred.
  • All degree requirements must be completed within seven (7) years of first enrollment.