34 hours

There are three terms: summer, fall, spring.

11 months (June-May).

Yes, upon acceptance to the MAT, we can discuss details of how this program can be spread out over 2 years if desired.

Possibly; if an MAT student is employed as the “teacher of record” at an accredited K-12 school outside of the Lookout Mountain/Chattanooga area, he or she may choose to stream the fall and spring courses synchronistically in the evenings (3-4 evenings in the fall and 1 evening in the spring) from 6 pm EST to 8:40 pm EST. However, the 10 days of our summer session require attendance in person, on campus for all MAT students. Essentially, we offer a traditional on-campus option as well as the “hybrid” option as detailed above.

Yes, it is. The cohort starts the program together in the summer term (in June) and graduates together the following May. 

No, there is only one entry point for the cohort–which begins with the summer term in June.

Yes, we rely on a MAT student’s undergraduate studies for content knowledge, as well as their passing GACE content score(s). The GaPSC defines pedagogy only as “A program offered at the post-baccalaureate level to candidates who have demonstrated content expertise.” Essentially, our MAT program provides a pathway to initial teacher certification and fosters applied research in the areas of teacher practice, student achievement, assessment, management, and innovation for graduates who have already earned a Bachelor’s degree. The pedagogy only focused MAT program is academically robust, biblically anchored, and cohort designed which is ideal for the critical need for highly qualified and transformative Christian teachers.

Our preference is for an applicant to have a major in their content field. However, if he/she doesn’t have a major in the content field, an applicant must have at least 15 hours of undergraduate coursework in the content area in order to pursue middle grades initial teacher certification (4th-8th) in that content area and 21 undergraduate coursework hours in order to pursue the secondary initial teacher certification (6th-12th) in that content area. Additionally, he/she is required to pass the GACE content test(s) in their field as part of the MAT admissions process.

It is a 10 day session, with class on 9 days (Sunday off). The 2025 session is June 9th-18th. You will complete 3 (2 credit hour) courses that are 3 days each and meet approximately 8:00 am EST to 5:00 pm EST. You will have the opportunity to meet other cohort members as well as attend important orientation meetings to discuss details for the year and complete various required documents for Clinical Practice as well as certification for the GaPSC. 

Yes, depending on the course and professor, there will be various readings and assignments to complete before reporting to campus for the summer session in June. Upon acceptance to the MAT, you will receive more details leading up to the summer on-campus session. 

Possibly. Depending on the course, there might be a few synchronous class meetings.

We do not offer on campus housing. However, you are welcome to contact the MAT office at mat@covenant.edu to ask for recommendations of various local accommodations.

No, lunch is provided each day at no extra charge.

$500 per credit hour plus fees. Approximately, $15,500 depending on if the prerequisites have been fulfilled etc.

Yes, there are three: Introduction to Teaching, Educational Psychology, and Exceptional Education. The requirement for the Introduction to Teaching course can be fulfilled if an applicant has completed a previous teaching course with practicum experience, or at least 30 hours teaching or substituting. The Exceptional Education course is required by the GaPSC. Effective July 1, 2019, a student must earn a “B” or better in the course in order to obtain Georgia Certification. These three courses can be completed at any accredited institution. If you have questions about whether a course you have taken would fulfill the prerequisite requirement(s) feel free to contact the Director of Graduate Programs, Lindsey Fain, at lindsey.fain@covenant.edu.

No, they can be “in process,” and an applicant can still be considered for acceptance with “provisional student” status. The status of a provisional student is reviewed after six hours of coursework; no more than six hours taken while in this category may be applied toward the degree. A student must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on courses taken as a provisional student. Regular student status is required for the MAT degree to be guaranteed. 

No scholarships are available at this time. However, there are “Institutional Grants” that all students are eligible to apply for.

Georgia. You will also receive ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) certification. The Covenant College MAT program meets the requirements for certification in the state of Georgia.  

The BA elementary education program and MAT program at Covenant College lead to licensure in the state of Georgia, as well as certification with Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Recently, the US Department of Education and National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity agreements have required that we notify the public and students enrolling in a program whether completion of our programs also meet educational requirements for licensure in other states or territories (i.e. outside the state of Georgia). 

Because of these requirements Covenant College works intentionally to openly disclose licensure requirements for both the BA elementary education and MAT program in every US state and territory.

There are 2 primary determinations when it comes to licensure in states other than Georgia (noted in the “Initial Certification Disclosure Chart”): “Meets” and “Does not meet.” This means the Covenant College BA elementary education and MAT programs “meet” or “do not meet” the requirements for licensure in a state or territory. This information is provided both at the application stage and at enrollment.  Also, if you are a student in the elementary education TEP program or MAT, you will be provided with multiple opportunities to have advisory meetings with the Certification Official throughout your time as an elementary education or MAT student. 

The “Meets” or “Does Not Meet” determination listed speaks only to our programs’ ability (and not the student’s ability) to meet requirements needed for licensure. If the state is identified as a “Does Not Meet” then there potentially could be extra requirements that must be met in order to obtain that state’s licensure or certification. These can vary and may include exams, background checks, additional modules/coursework etc. Covenant College can never guarantee certificates, licenses, or endorsements in any state or territory, however, we can tell you whether our programs meet the educational requirements for licensure in the state(s) where you hope to teach. 

Indeed, the licensing agencies (typically state department of ed’s) are the only entities that can determine if you, as a student, are truly eligible for a certificate, license, or endorsement. We are committed to helping you as you determine both your educational and career path at Covenant College.

October 1st. The $50 application fee is waived from October 1st to January 1st.