Program 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 in a closely related field of study (e.g. exercise science, athletic training). Certification in this field is for grades Pre-K through 12. The M.A.T. provides professional and pedagogical studies that develop proficiency in the knowledge, skills, and habits of beginning teachers. While specific course work is in place to ensure meeting teacher certification requirements set by the Professional Standards Commission, aspects of the program are individually designed based on a transcript evaluation.

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.

This plan of study will be determined by the program coordinator based on an evaluation of each student's transcripts and educational experiences. Students who do not have appropriate experiences and coursework may need to take up 12 additional hours in the program.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of the M.A.T. program and passing scores on the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) basic skills and content tests allow the candidate to be recommended to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for teacher certification at the T-5 level (i.e., the letter “T” indicates that the certificate is in a teaching field and the number “5” indicates that the candidate’s highest degree is a master’s degree recognized by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission).

Program of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Area 1 Professional Core
EDUF 6116	Educational Research Methods	3
EDUT 6105	Technology Infusion	3
EDUC 6140	Foundations of Reading, Literacy, and Language	3
Area 1 Total		9
Area 2 Concentration: General Requirements
KINS 5215G	The Development of Motor Skills: A Lifespan Perspective	3
PHED 6116	Analysis of Teaching Behavior in Physical Education	3
PHED 6219	Physical Education for Students with Disabilities	3
Electives Any 3 hours at the graduate level from HESC, PHED, or other approved course		3
Area 2 Concentration: Teaching Core
KINS 5216G	Physical Education in the Secondary School	4
KINS 5218G	Teaching Health in P-8 Schools	2
or KINS 5219G	Teaching Health in High School
KINS 5217G	Physical Education in the Elementary School	3
PHED 6485	Student Teaching in Health and Physical Education	3
or EDCI 6698	Teaching Internship
Area 2 Total		24
Area 3: Other Requirements		0
KINS 4000	Fitness Testing for Health and Physical Education Certification Concentration	0
PHED 6000	Health and Physical Education Exit Exam	0
Area 3 Total		0
Total Credit Hours		33

 Note: This plan of study will be determined by the program coordinator based on an evaluation of each student's transcripts and educational experiences.

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 20 hours of the hours required for the degree must be earned in residence (⅔ of the required hours). 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.