Master of Arts (MA) Middle Grades Education
Educators who are currently certified may wish to pursue advanced study in order to improve their skills in knowledge in their respective field. Georgia educators who complete the Master of Arts degree in a field in which they hold certification are eligible for a certification upgrade. In-field Master of Arts degrees do NOT lead to initial certification.
Prerequisite Degree: Bachelor’s and Georgia Teacher Certification
Piedmont College’s Master of Arts (M.A.) degree program with a major in middle grades education for grades 4-8 leads to recommendation for advanced certification in Middle Grades Education. The M.A. program is designed to meet the needs of those who already hold certification in middle grades education and who are seeking advanced certification (Level 5), or for those who hold certification in a field other than middle grades (early childhood or secondary) and seek to add a new field of certification.
The program consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours, 24 of which must be taken at Piedmont College, and 20 hours of field experience. Full time candidates can complete the program within one calendar year if approved for the minimum program. Students may take up to six years to complete the program. No course older than six calendar years may apply to graduation.
Course Requirements:
Required courses:
| EDUC 5537 | Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUC 7703 | Social, Cultural, and Ethical Perspectives of Education | 3 |
| EDMG 6645 | Advanced Teaching in the Middle School | 3 |
| EDUC 6699 | Methods and Interpretation of Educational Research | 3 |
| 4 content courses – 12 hours |
-See advisor/department chair for specific courses |
2 electives – 6 hours
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EDUC 5537: required if not previously taken
Program Completion Requirements
- Completion of minimum course work hours: 30
- Completion of required field experience hours
- Submit and have approved an application for graduation the semester before graduation
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses attempted, with not more than one grade of “C”
- Successful completion of Capstone
- Pass GACE in content area (if applicable)