The Master of Teaching degree (MAT) with an emphasis in adapted curriculum leads to initial certification for students who hold undergraduate degrees in other fields and who do not hold a teaching certification. These students must develop both initial and advanced skills prior to certification. The program of study for MAT students will include co-requisites coursework and practicum experiences. These courses must be completed at the University of Georgia or at another accredited college or university. They must be taken before completion of the program of study and in some cases before certain advanced courses that require them as prerequisites. All master students in special education also complete applied research as an exit criterion for their degree. MAT students are strongly encouraged to begin their course work the summer semester of the year they are admitted in the program. During the first summer semester students will begin the prerequisite course work that will allow them to enroll in advanced courses during fall and spring semesters.
An emphasis in Adapted Curriculum is for individuals interested in teaching students with moderate to severe autism and developmental disabilities. Training in this emphasis area will prepare teachers to work with students working in an adapted curriculum, meaning they do not follow the typical general curriculum implemented in most classrooms. The curriculum may include teaching functional academics, life long personal and social skills, vocational skills, recreational and leisure skills, and community involvement. The curriculum emphasizes training in behavior management, instructional strategies, technology-based supports and transition skills. The students who are most frequently served under adapted curriculum are those with moderate, severe or profound intellectual disability (MOID, SID, PID) as well as moderate to severe autism (ASD).