Masters of Arts in Teaching
YHC MAT fits the schedule of new and aspiring teachers. It leads to professional certification at the Master’s level in less than 12 months, for $12,000, in the settings of your choice. Coursework is online. Field experiences take place in an area you select and offer support for job placement, navigating early career challenges, and achieving job satisfaction.
About Teaching at Young Harris College
Applications for Summer 2025 opening soon!
To help you pursue a teaching career—while being mindful of your time and budget—Young Harris College offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) that can be completed in just three semesters: summer, fall and spring. The tuition of $12,000 makes our program highly affordable. In fact, we compared the salary of a teacher with a temporary certificate to the salary of a teacher with a master’s degree plus certification and found that the YHC MAT degree will pay for itself in a year and a half.
The YHC MAT program is for students with a baccalaureate degree who wish to obtain initial teacher certification in biology, English, history or mathematics. The program prepares graduates for teacher certification in grades 6-12.
Starting in the summer semester, you’ll have the opportunity to take courses in real-time online or in a face-to-face format. YHC will coordinate opportunities for you to do field studies at a school in the fall semester and student teach at a school in the spring semester. When you graduate from the YHC MAT program, you’ll have both the academic and practical experience you need for a bright career in education.
The ultra-streamlined application process takes mere minutes. You also don’t have to do it alone; you’ll work closely with experts at YHC to make sure everything is as simple as possible.
Program benefits
- Our MAT program faculty members are committed to preparing innovative, successful teacher-leaders.
- The MAT coursework offers opportunities for students to deepen expertise in their subject areas, while learning practical skills for success in the classroom.
- Because YHC has relationships with schools in North Georgia and the southern Appalachian region, our MAT students receive convenient, local placements with exceptional teachers.
- YHC’s MAT program encourages teachers’ learning-filled lives and accelerates their entry into rewarding careers as teachers. The program provides students with personalized support, practical experience and a network of like-minded professionals.
Tuition and financial aid
Tuition for YHC’s Master of Arts in Teaching is $12,000 for the one-year program, inclusive of course materials. To apply for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Learn more about tuition and aid
For more information, contact [email protected] or reach out to MAT Program Coordinator Dr. George Boggs.
Curriculum
Here’s a look at the curriculum for the Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education with concentrations in biology, English, history or mathematics:
EDUC 5002: Teaching Exceptional Learners (3 hours)
EDUC 5003: Adolescent Development and Theories of Learning (3 hours)
EDUC 5005: Technology Integration for Teachers (1 hour)
EDUC 5018: Principles of the Social Curriculum (3 hours)
EDUC 5019: Assessment and Evaluation for Teacher Decision Making (4 hours)
EDUC 5027: Literacy in the Content Areas (3 hours)
EDUC 5100: Advanced Instructional Concepts (3 hours)
EDUC 5401: Early Field Studies Seminar (1 hour)
EDUC 5402: Mid Field Studies Seminar (5 hours)
EDUC 5403: Advanced Field Studies Seminar (4 hours)
EDUC 5411: Student Teaching Internship (9 hours)
Plus a teaching methods course specific to your content area:
EDUC 5023-6: Models and Methods for Teaching (English / History / Math / Life Science) to Diverse Learners (3 hours)
Total: 42 Hours
Sample Course Schedule
Summer Term (9 weeks, early June – early Aug)
Tuesday, 5:15 PM – 9:30 PM: EDUC 5002: Teaching Exceptional Learners
Wednesday, 5:15 PM – 9:30 PM: EDUC 5003: Adolescent Development and Theories of Learning
Thursday, 5:15 PM – 6:30 PM: EDUC 5005: Technology Integration for Teachers and EDUC 5401: Early Field Studies Seminar
Asynchronous Online: EDUC 5027: Literacy in the Content Areas
Fall Term (mid-August – mid-Dec)
Tuesday, 5:15 PM – 8:30 PM: EDUC 5018: Principles of the Social Curriculum
Wednesday, 5:15 PM – 8:30 PM: EDUC 5019: Assessment and Evaluation for Teacher Decision Making
Thursday, 5:15 PM – 8:30 PM: EDUC 5023: Models and Methods for Teaching [History, English, Math, Life Science] to Diverse Learners
Asynchronous Online: EDUC 5402: Mid Field Studies Seminar
Spring Term
Students will work with program faculty and field-based mentors to complete the remaining coursework for the MAT program, including the following:
EDUC 5100: Advanced Instructional Concepts
EDUC 5403: Advanced Field Studies Seminar
EDUC 5411: Student Teaching Internship
Degree Progress & Certification
The Master of Arts in Teaching is a professional program to prepare students for initial teacher certification. Students are required to obtain and must hold a Pre-Service Certificate with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) for the duration of the program.
Graduate students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Teaching degree must meet all degree requirements as outlined in the College catalog, including earning a C or better in all Master of Arts in Teaching courses. Exceptions are listed below:
• Earn a B- or better in EDUC 5002
• Earn a B- or better in EDUC 5003
• Earn a B- or better in EDUC 5401
• Earn a B- or better in EDUC 5402
Students accepted to the MAT program are also enrolled in the Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) and must meet all program requirements as outlined in the Young Harris College Master of Arts in Teaching handbook in order to be recommended for initial certification.
“Coordinating our MAT program offers such a unique opportunity for me to build a network of excellent teachers who support each other at this critical moment. I am so excited to have two recent MAT graduates named Teachers of the Year!”
