Master of Education in Middle Grades Math and Science

The University of North Georgia (UNG) offers a 36 credit hour Master of Education in Middle Grades Math and Science (M.Ed. MGMS). The M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science is an advanced degree designed for certified teachers. The program offers certified teachers the opportunity to expand their knowledge in highly sought-after teaching fields. The degree is awarded through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredited College of Education at UNG. Top graduate faculty from UNG and Valdosta State University teach the courses. This 12-course, 36-hour program, can be completed in four consecutive semesters with full-time enrollment. Courses are offered on a continuous basis, allowing for part-time enrollment. Coursework, including exams, is completed online. No campus visits are required to complete the program.

Graduate Admissions Procedures

Application materials may be obtained from Graduate Admissions or from the M.Ed website. Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee. Admission requirements are listed below.

Students who are admitted, but do not enroll within three semesters following acceptance must reapply to the program by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions for readmission. Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three semesters must also reapply to the program by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions for readmission. All documents and materials submitted to fulfill the application requirements for entry to a program through UNG become the property of the university and will not be returned.

M.Ed. MGMS Admission Requirements

To qualify, individuals must:

1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
2. Hold a clear/renewable teaching certificate in Middle Grades Math or Middle Grades Science in the state of Georgia.
3. Be employed as a classroom middle grades teacher, working with students at least 20 hours per week. 

Technology Requirement

Students must have high speed Internet access and are required to purchase the LiveText portfolio assessment application. Additional software may be required.

Admission Requirements

For MGMS Admission the documents listed below must be received.  When all application materials have been received by Graduate Admissions, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of materials will be forwarded to the program. Subsequent notification will be sent from the College of Education Graduate Office to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.

1. Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. Former UNG students are only required to submit transcripts of coursework completed elsewhere. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution and state a calculated cumulative grade point average.
2. Proof of lawful presence in the United States, if applying for in-state tuition.
3. Proof of current Georgia Teaching Certification.

Teachers certified in states other than Georgia may be eligible. To qualify, you must hold the equivalent of a Georgia clear/renewable teaching certificate. Contact Graduate Admissions, grads@ung.edu, for additional information. UNG reserves the right to request additional information.

Provisional Admission

Students who do not meet the regular admission criteria may be granted provisional admission pending a successful admission appeal (see Appeal of Graduate Admission). Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than six semester hours total of graduate credit. Student status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of six semester hours. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade of C or lower in any graduate course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the M.Ed. Middle Grades Math and Science program. A student who has been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply to the program after a period of three semesters from the date the student was removed by submitting to Graduate Admissions a letter of appeal addressed to the College of Education Graduate Office and a new application for readmission.

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to UNG as a transient student. 

• Individual must hold a clear/renewable teaching certificate in Middle Grades Education.
• Individuals must receive pre-approval from the College of Education Graduate Office before enrolling in courses.
• Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

1. Graduate Admissions application.
2. Non-refundable application fee.
3. Copy of Georgia teaching certificate.
   Teachers certified in states other than Georgia may be eligible. To qualify, you must hold the equivalent of a Georgia clear/renewable teaching certificate. Contact Graduate Admissions, grads@ung.edu, for additional information.
4. Letter of good standing or transient permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at the student’s home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at UNG.
5. Proof of lawful presence in the United States, if applying for in-state tuition.

Transient admission is for one semester only. An individual who wishes to return to UNG as a transient student for a subsequent semester must apply to Graduate Admissions for readmission.

International Applicants

Because of Homeland Security guidelines, an F1 visa cannot be issued for online programs. Individuals living and working in the United States whose visa status permits graduate enrollment may be considered for admission. Admission Requirements and Procedures  section of the Graduate Catalog.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program has the right to appeal the decision. An appeal must be made in written form to Graduate Admissions, University of North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001. The letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal. A student whose appeal is accepted will be admitted provisionally. Students may not appeal for regular admission.

M.Ed. MGMS Transfer Residency Requirement

To be awarded the M.Ed in Middle Grades Math and Science degree, students must earn a minimum of 24 semester hours of graduate degree requirements in residence. The College of Education Graduate Office must approve all transfer education credit. In addition, no more than nine hours of transfer credit may be applied toward meeting the M. Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science requirements.  Content area courses must be approved by the appropriate academic department and the College of Education Graduate Office. Transfer credit will not be given for any course in which a grade of C or lower was earned. To apply for transfer credit, a student must complete the transfer of graduate credit form (myUNG password required) and submit the form to the College of Education Graduate Office for approval.

M.Ed. MGMS Academic Policies

Incomplete Grades

The M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science program adheres to the uniform grading system in the Academic Information  section of the Graduate Catalog. Non-academic Incompletes must be finished by the beginning of the second semester after which the Incomplete was awarded.  There are three semesters within the course of the academic year; fall, spring, and summer.  Incompletes which are not finished by the beginning of the second semester will automatically become an F.  No degree will be conferred on a student who has an unresolved incomplete grade remaining on his/her transcript.

Program of Study

A program of study must be completed and on file in the Registrar’s Office before the completion of 20 semester hours. A program of study shall consist of those graduate courses for which graduate credit is granted toward a degree. No change may be made in the program of study without the advance approval of the M.Ed. advisor and an amendment attached to the program of study.

Academic Standing Policy

M.Ed. students whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:

1. Probation - Student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
   a. Student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0.
   b. Student earns a grade of C or lower.
   
   No student may be a candidate for the degree while on probation due to a grade point average below a 3.0.
   Probation will be removed when the student’s grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher. Only grades of D or F must
   be repeated in order to receive degree credit. Students who are on probation may not register until advised.
    
2. Suspension – Student will be placed on suspension for any of the following reasons
   a. Student earns two grades C or lower.
   b. Student has already served three consecutive semesters on academic probation.
   
   No student may enroll in graduate courses at UNG while on suspension. Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit. After serving a suspension period of three semesters, a student seeking to reapply to the program must submit a new application to Graduate Admissions and submit a letter addressed to the Dean of the College of Education presenting a rationale for readmission. The student will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean and the College of Education Graduate Office.  If readmitted, the student will have the same grade requirements for progress. Readmission will not be considered for students who have received four grades C or lower.

Academic and Professional Integrity Policy

At the end of each semester, the program faculty or the College of Education Graduate Office may intervene to establish a plan of action for any student in the program whose competency is in question, for reasons including unprofessional, disruptive, and/or unethical behavior in the classroom or applied setting. The plan should be signed by the student and the program coordinator with copies forwarded to the College of Education Graduate Office.

Academic Integrity

The University of North Georgia recognizes honesty and integrity as being necessary to the academic functioning of the university. UNG graduate students are expected to uphold the university regulations addressed in the Student Code of Conduct, Article 3, Rule 2.

Professional Integrity

The M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science program adheres to the university’s definition of professional integrity as described in the Academic Information  section of the Graduate Catalog.

M.Ed. MGMS Degree Requirements

Graduation requirements for the M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science include:

1. Completion of 36 designated semester hours of study.
2. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher with no more than three grades of C.
3. Completion of at least 24 semester hours of graduate degree requirements in residence with no more than 12 semester hours of transfer credit.
4. Completion of all degree-related course requirements, including transfer credit, within a six-year time period.