Kinesiology/Physical Education M.A.T.

Director: Lisa Griffin, School of Health & Human Performance
Office Coordinator: Toyia Barnes, [e-mail]
Administrative Assistant: Sarah McCook, [e-mail]

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Kinesiology/Physical Education provides initial teacher preparation at the master's degree level for qualified candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in a related discipline such as kinesiology, health education, exercise science, health promotion, outdoor education, and human performance. The degree program is designed for college graduates whose undergraduate degrees did not include coursework or learning experiences necessary to meet CAEP/NASPE national accreditation standards and the Georgia Performance Standards in health and physical education necessary for Health & Physical Education P-12 teacher certification. The program is a one-year, full-time, experience that preferably begins in summer semester and is completed the following spring. Students can begin the program in the fall semester and complete it at the end of the subsequent summer term. It is possible to complete the program on a part-time basis over an extended number of semesters to accommodate an approved course sequence that includes six hours per semester. Students take courses and complete field experiences and are guided during the period of study by a professor skilled in advising, supervising, and implementing best teaching practices.

Accreditations and Alliances

The Master of Arts in Teaching: Kinesiology/Physical Education is accredited through the College of Education by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) and meets the Georgia Performance Standards (PSC) for Health & Physical Education P-12 teacher certification.

Online Course Structure

The School of Health & Human Performance offers both synchronous and asynchronous online courses. Virtual attendance during synchronous sessions listed at the time of registration through the official Georgia College Course Schedule is mandatory. Any clinical and/or student teaching requirements must be completed in-person unless approved by Program Coordinator, Graduate Coordinator, and Director of the School of Health & Human Performance.

Regular Admission Requirements

The following are elements used to determine eligibility for regular admission:

1.An upper-level GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale in the upper division major courses

2. Passing score at least 220 (induction level) of GACE Content Assessment (115 and 116) OR coursework that meets the following prerequisite requirements:

a. GCSU students who have earned the PE minor; OR

b. Students who do not hold the GCSU PE minor:

i. 15 hours of coursework in:

• Behavioral statistics, Measurement & Evaluation, or Research Methodology

• Personal Health & Fitness, Health/Exercise Promotion, Exercise Leadership, or similar in-depth Fitness/Wellness course

• Anatomy, Structural Kinesiology, or a similar Anatomical Kinesiology/Movement analysis course

• Motor Behavior, Motor Learning, Motor Control, or a similar integrated course in Psychomotor Development & Learning

• Skill Analysis, Coaching course with a certification or licensure, collegiate coaching or playing experience; AND

ii. 3 hours elective coursework:

• Exercise Physiology, Exercise Biochemistry, Prevention and Care, Developmental Psychology or Human Development, Strength & Conditioning, Biomechanics, Exercise Testing, Exercise Prescription, Outdoor Education Group Development, or Introduction to Outdoor Education

NB: Exemption of the GACE Content Assessment for program admission purposes does not exempt students from passing the GACE Content Assessment (115 and 116) for certification purposes.

3.   Letter of Application: indicate why you have chosen a career in teaching health and physical education

4.   Teaching Philosophy: indicate how the program of study will meet your career goals

5.   Professional resume

6.   References: names, job titles, employers, phone numbers, and email address of at least three professional references

7.   Copies of any relevant, current training certificates or certification cards

8.   Complete the GACE Ethics Assessment (Ethics 360)

9.   Submission of the Georgia College MAT Candidate Information Sheet

10. Legal Presence Verification: submitted as defined by Georgia College Graduate Admissions Office

11. If currently employed as a teacher, verification letter of employment in a K-12 public, private, or charter setting

12. If currently coaching, verification letter of employment or volunteer status. 

Conditional Admission

Applicants who apply too late for full consideration for admission and/or have not submitted all required documents or met minimum entrance requirements for evaluation may be assigned conditional admission status for one semester only with permission of the Graduate Coordinator of the School of Health and Human Performance. This option is discouraged because students failing to submit all required documents or not meeting admission requirements will be required to withdraw from the University. After one semester on conditional status, students must have achieved regular admission.

Academic Dismissal Policy

A graduate student will be placed on graduate academic probation if the student's institutional graduate grade point average falls below a 3.00 at any point during his or her graduate studies.

A graduate student will be dismissed if the student is placed on academic probation for more than one semester, receives more than one C (or lower) during his or her graduate studies, or fails to comply with policy, procedures, and expectations as defined in current versions of the Graduate Student Handbook.

Transfer Credits

Up to 9 semester hours of graduate coursework with grades of B or better may be accepted from other institutions at the discretion of the School of Health and Human Performance Graduate Coordinator and the advisor.

Time Limitations for M.A.T. Degree in Kinesiology/Physical Education

The requirements for the degree program must be completed within a period of 6 years from the date that the student begins taking courses at GC. Courses completed more than 6 years prior to completion of the requirements for the Master's degree will be regarded as outdated and will not be applied toward the degree program. This includes courses that may be transferred from other institutions. Outdated courses may be updated through appropriate means at the discretion of the School of Health and Human Performance Graduate Coordinator and the advisor.

Program of Study

Required Courses

Satisfactorily complete the following courses:

EDIT 5202	Technology for Teachers	3
EDFS 5209	Learner Differences	3
EDFS 5203	Learner Development	3
KINS 6703	Pedagogical Applications in PE	3
KINS 6713	Prog Assess/Evaluation-Hlth/PE	3
KINS 6553	Coordinated School Health Prog	3
KINS 6743	Prog Des & Imp in Elem Hlth PE	3
KINS 6753	Clinical Exp in Elem Hlth PE	3
KINS 6723	Prog Des & Imp in Sec Hlth PE	3
KINS 6733	Clinical Exp in Sec Hlth PE	3
KINS 6803	Research Meth/Stats Health Sci	3
	Approved graduate level KINS elective	3
Total Credit Hours:		36

Prior to Spring 2023, EDFS 5211 was required in place of KINS 6803.

Steps in Completing the Master of Arts in Teaching: Kinesiology/Physical Education

1. Submit a completed application for graduate study and all supporting documents to the Graduate Admissions Office
2. Consult with the faculty advisor to develop a program of study
3. Complete courses with a GPA of 3.0 or better
4. Satisfactory completion and evaluation of the electronic teaching portfolio (Educational Teacher Performance Assessment or EdTPA).
5. Submit the completed graduation application by the date specified in the official university calendar
6. Take and pass the GACE 360 Ethics Exam
7. Take the GACE Content Area Assessment in the areas of certification (115 & 116).
8. Submit scores on the GACE Content Area Assessments and Ethics Exam, the College of Education Recommendation for Certification Form; and all other necessary documentation to the College of Education Certification Officer.

Contact Information:

Campus Box 112

Milledgeville, GA 31061

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]