Online Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Middle Grades Education
Become a successful teacher and mentor for middle grades students
Fully online classes
Supportive faculty
Small classes
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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
- Duration5 semesters
- Cost per credit$785
- Credit hours60-79
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).

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
Choose two concentrations
Prepare to teach the subjects you’re passionate about by choosing two concentrations from the following content areas.*
Gain a well-rounded understanding of literacy methods and an overview of children’s, world, and American and British literature.
Practice methods for teaching math as you review geometry, algebra, statistics and more.
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.
Gain lab experience and learn science teaching methods in earth/space science, physical science, life science and more.
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
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 |
We strive to make your education affordable
$785 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 DetailsWhat 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, 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 OnlineFrequently 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.
It will not. The diploma is the same for all graduates, whether their program was completed online or on ground.
While the specifics of each program vary, the admissions process always starts by submitting your application for the program you want to attend. To complete your application file, you’ll need official transcripts, an online application and possibly other documents. Your admissions counselor will help guide you through this process.
Undergraduate students can transfer up to 90 credits to their program. If the student is pursuing their first graduate degree at Brenau, up to six semester hours of coursework taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher education may be appropriately transferred to Brenau as part of the planned program of study with approval from the department chair. If the student has a master’s degree, up to nine hours of graduate credit may transfer with departmental approval. Grading standards of the Brenau program into which the work is transferred will apply.
There are no application fees at Brenau University.
Absolutely! Online programs at Brenau are explicitly designed with busy working professionals in mind, including those with personal and professional responsibilities. The format provides the flexibility you need to succeed in your selected program. From here, you can.
You can start the FAFSA® form here. Brenau’s FAFSA® code is 001556.
Source and Disclaimer
- 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.