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Online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Middle Grades Education

woman in black blazer overseeing work as a middle grades education teacher

Become a successful teacher and mentor for middle grades students

Fully online classes

Supportive faculty

Small classes

Request more information

Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.

  • Duration 5 semesters
  • Cost per credit $824
  • Credit hours 60-79

Program Benefits

  • No application fee
  • GRE/GMAT not required
  • Two start dates per year
  • Financial aid available
  • Select two concentrations

Address the distinct needs of adolescent learners

Are you ready to jump-start your middle grades teaching career? From here, you can.

In Brenau’s online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Middle Grades Education program, you will discover and apply interdisciplinary theories and practices of middle grades learning. This program prepares you for middle grades education certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

student at desk with teacher

Increase your employment options and advance your education career

Brenau has one of the few online programs that prepare you for middle grades certification while giving you the tools you need to become an excellent classroom teacher. You can also pursue a career as an educational therapist or administrator.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that from 2021 to 2031, jobs for middle school teachers will grow by 4%.1

Career Outlook

Choose two concentrations

Prepare to teach the subjects you’re passionate about by choosing two concentrations from the following content areas.*

Language Arts

Gain a well-rounded understanding of literacy methods and an overview of children’s, world, and American and British literature.

Mathematics

Practice methods for teaching math as you review geometry, algebra, statistics and more.

Reading

Prepare to boost your students’ reading skills with courses in reading foundations and assessment, reading and content methods, and children’s literature and language arts.

Science

Gain lab experience and learn science teaching methods in earth/space science, physical science, life science and more.

Social Studies

Help students explore culture, history and civilization in this concentration. Topics include U.S. history, world history and economics.

Experience comprehensive education curriculum

60–79 credit hours

11 core courses

In addition to a comprehensive foundation of core coursework in teaching, you will have the opportunity to complete two concentrations. Your primary and secondary concentrations may be selected from language arts, mathematics, reading, science or social studies. The middle grades education master’s degree also includes clinical experience.

Course spotlights

  • ED 609 Literacy Methods for Middle Grades Education
  • ED 630 Computer Literacy in Education
  • ED 677 Teaching and Assessing within a Virtual Environment
Curriculum Details

It’s always a good time to apply

No GRE/GMAT required

No application fee

The online master’s degree in middle grades education offers two start dates per year, so you can apply anytime and start your education as soon as possible. With no application fee, you can apply risk-free.

To apply to Brenau’s online MAT in Middle Grades Education, you’ll need:

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university
Official transcripts for all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions
Two letters of recommendation – preferably professional and/or academic sources
Admission Details

We strive to make your education affordable

$824 per credit hour

Financial aid available

By choosing Brenau, you’re investing in a degree that will set you on a path to a successful career. In addition to federal or state financial aid, Georgia residents enrolled in this program may be eligible for the TEACH Grant.

Tuition Details

What you’ll learn

The coursework in the online middle grades education master’s degree is taught by faculty who listen to the concerns and needs of teachers in practice. We continually update the curriculum to reflect today’s teaching environments.

Program outcomes

With Brenau’s online master’s degree in middle grades education, you can:

  • Pursue certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach grades 4–8.
  • Increase your job security while making a meaningful career change.

About our dedicated, supportive faculty

Faculty members at Brenau are dedicated to helping you succeed. Most classes feature a small student-to-faculty ratio, so you can get to know your professors and their unique areas of expertise. As you broaden your professional network, you’ll have the mentorship and support of our faculty throughout your program.

Brandi Worsham

Brandi Worsham, PhD, Chair of Initial Certification Programs and Associate Professor of Education

Faculty Spotlight

Brandi Worsham is an associate professor of Education and department chair of Initial Certification Programs at Brenau University. Dr. Worsham teaches courses focused on math methods, middle school education and ESOL. She is a former middle school mathematics teacher with 10 years of experience teaching sixth and eighth grades. She earned a PhD in Middle School Education from the University of Georgia in 2015.

Dr. Worsham has presented at numerous national and regional conferences, including the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) and the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (GCTM), and has several publications related to middle school education and the professional development of teachers. Her research interests include middle school education, mathematics education, the preparation of teacher candidates and the professional development of teachers. In her spare time, Dr. Worsham is an avid reader and enjoys spending time outdoors or traveling with her family.

Online learning

At Brenau, you will learn in small classes, which gives you plenty of opportunities to ask questions and receive one-on-one support from your professors. With flexible scheduling and online delivery, we make education fit into your busy life. Our programs respond to the needs of today’s students, so you’ll receive the education you need to become a leader who makes a difference. From here, you can.

Discover Brenau Online

Frequently asked questions

Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.

You can complete the program in five semesters. To see the coursework, view our curriculum page.

Tuition is $824 per credit hour. You’ll need to complete 60–79 credit hours for a total estimated tuition of $49,440-65,096. You can review all costs on our tuition page.

We do not require test scores for admission to this program. You can learn more on our admissions page.

The requirements for the online MAT in Middle Grades Education include:

  • A completed online application
  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university
  • Minimum 2.75 cumulative college GPA
  • Official transcripts from each school you’ve attended
  • Two letters of recommendation

You can learn more about our requirements on our admissions page.

You’ll complete 60–79 credit hours to earn the online MAT in Middle Grades Education. You can explore the curriculum page for further information.

All students must pass initial certification before progressing to student teaching. This program is geared toward the Georgia Licensure exam and may not help prepare you for the licensure exam of any other state.

Visit our FAQ page

Source and Disclaimer

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Middle School Teachers.” Jan. 11, 2023. Retrieved Feb. 22, 2023, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/middle-school-teachers.htm

*Students may not choose both Language Arts and Reading.