A Program Designed for Aspiring Elementary Teachers
Wesleyan’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education is a 24-month hybrid graduate program for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are currently serving as teachers of record in elementary classrooms. Designed to lead to initial teacher certification in Georgia (K–5), the MAT program blends theory, practice, and research so that candidates grow into reflective practitioners who can plan, teach, and assess effectively in today’s diverse schools.
Why Wesleyan MAT?
Wesleyan’s MAT program is designed specifically for working elementary teachers who need a clear, flexible pathway to initial certification. With a competitive tuition rate and a $5,000 scholarship available for Bibb County teachers, the program offers exceptional value. Small cohort sizes ensure personalized mentoring and strong relationships, while the hybrid format blends online learning with meaningful in-person experiences. Built around the needs of Middle Georgia educators, the MAT combines convenience, community, and the academic excellence Wesleyan is known for.
Get to Know Us
Wesleyan’s Master of Arts in Teaching program is built on the belief that effective teaching requires both deep content knowledge and strong pedagogical skill. Throughout the 24-month hybrid program, candidates develop a firm grounding in elementary content, evidence-based instructional strategies, and responsive classroom practices that support diverse learners. Coursework emphasizes designing meaningful instruction, integrating current research, assessing student learning, and cultivating a positive and academically rigorous classroom environment. The MAT program aligns closely with the Georgia TAPS Standards, ensuring that graduates meet and exceed the expectations of today’s principals and school districts while growing as reflective, collaborative professionals committed to continuous improvement.
- Apply
Complete the FREE application here.
- Requirements
Qualifications
Applicants to the MAT program must:
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Hold a bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education accredited by an institutional accreditor, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4-point scale.
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Currently be a teacher of record in an elementary classroom.
Application Materials
A completed application file for the MAT program includes:
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Online application form
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Official transcripts from the institution(s) from which a bachelor’s degree was earned
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Evidence of being a current elementary teacher of record, such as:
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Letter from principal
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Letter from the district
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Current contract
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One letter of professional reference from an individual who can speak to the applicant’s professional capabilities and potential for success in the program
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Interview with the Director of the MAT Program or the director’s representative
For more information, please contact the education graduate admissions team at graduate@wesleyancollege.edu.
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- Program Curriculum
The MAT program consists of 42 credit hours of graduate coursework designed to lead to initial certification in elementary education (K–5).
Required Courses (42 Credit Hours)
Course
Title
Credits
EDU 520
Planning and Assessing for Diverse Learners
3
EDU 525
Classroom Management
3
EDU 506
Teaching Math
4
EDU 531
Foundations of Teaching Reading
4
EDU 532
Innovative Practices in Elementary Education
4
EDU 535
Advanced Pedagogy and Methods in STEM Content
4
EDU 545
Foundations of Teaching Writing
4
EDU 555
Reading Assessment and Instruction in Elementary Education
3
EDU 570
Social Studies in Elementary Education
4
EDU 580
Exceptionalities
3
EDU 585
Professionalism and Curriculum Development
3
EDU 590
Student Teaching
3
Total 42 Each course is carefully sequenced to support your growth from foundational planning and assessment skills to advanced pedagogy, content-specific methods, and a culminating supervised student-teaching experience.
24-Month Course Sequence
The MAT is designed as a cohort program completed over two years while you continue teaching full time. Courses are offered in summer, fall, and spring terms using a blend of online, in-person, hybrid, and field-based formats.
Year 1
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Summer 1
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EDU 520: Planning and Assessing for Diverse Learners (3 hrs, Online)
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Fall 1
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EDU 531: Foundations of Teaching Reading (4 hrs, In Person, co-taught with undergraduates)
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EDU 580: Exceptionalities (3 hrs, Online)
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Spring 1
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EDU 570: Social Studies in Elementary Education (4 hrs, In Person, co-taught with undergraduates)
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EDU 545: Foundations of Teaching Writing (4 hrs, Online)
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Year 2
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Summer 2
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EDU 532: Innovative Practices in Elementary Education (4 hrs, Hybrid)
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EDU 525: Classroom Management (3 hrs, Online)
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Fall 2
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EDU 506: Teaching Math (4 hrs, In Person, co-taught with undergraduates)
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EDU 535: Advanced Pedagogy and Methods in STEM Content (4 hrs, Online – Term B)
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EDU 555: Reading Assessment and Instruction (3 hrs, Online – Term A)
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Spring 2
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EDU 585: Professionalism and Curriculum Development (3 hrs, Online)
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EDU 590: Student Teaching (3 hrs, Field-based)
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- Tuition and Fees
Tuition (MAT program): $21,000* (42 credit hours at $500 per credit hour)
Graduation fee: $150 (subject to current college fee schedule)Bibb County Teacher Scholarship
- Teachers employed by Bibb County School District are eligible for a $5,000 scholarship, reducing the total tuition cost to approximately $16,000 for the full program.
Please contact us for more information: graduate@wesleyancollege.edu.
Additional specific costs may be considered as an adjacent to cost of attendance, for more information contact the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5205.
* Tuition and fees are subject to change. Please consult Wesleyan’s official tuition and fees page for the most current information.
