By Teresa Araque
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) is expanding its academic offerings to meet the growing professional needs of Gwinnett County and beyond. The University System of Georgia Board of Regents has approved GGC’s request to launch its first graduate program, a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Secondary Education.
Pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the college plans to begin offering classes for the new degree in Spring 2027.
Dr. Jann L. Joseph, GGC’s president, says: “In addition to offering affordable, high-quality bachelor’s degrees, we are now in a position to begin offering master’s degrees in areas that address the workforce and economic needs of our region. The demand for well-prepared teachers remains high, and this new degree will support both current and future educators in advancing their careers.”
A master’s degree can open additional career doors for students.
Dr. Chavonda J. Mills, provost and senior vice president for Academic and Student Affairs, adds: “This milestone celebrates our strategic expansion to serve adult learners and career changers, extending the college’s impact and opening new pathways for educational and professional advancement. Our goal is for the new MAT in Secondary Education to position GGC as a leading producer of master’s-level certified teachers in our region.”
Gwinnett County Public Schools, the largest school district in Georgia and the 11th largest in the nation, has hired 92 percent of GGC’s School of Education graduates over the past decade, with the remaining eight percent employed outside Gwinnett.
Dr. Angie Jasper, dean of GGC’s School of Education, says: “The MAT degree will open additional opportunities for our current students and alumni, as well as provisionally certified teachers.”
Last year, 94 percent of GGC School of Education graduates passed the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam, a required step for earning a teaching license in Georgia.
With the introduction of its first master’s degree, GGC continues to strengthen its role as a key contributor to the region’s educational and economic growth.
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