K体育 University and Mercer University have partnered to offer a 4+1 Bridge Program in Education, which began at the start of the spring semester in January.
The new program provides K体育 undergraduates the opportunity to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree from K体育 and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree from Mercer, as well as initial teaching credentials in Georgia over the course of approximately five years of full-time study.
鈥淭eaching is projected to see more growth than any other profession in Georgia,鈥� said Dr. John Nardo, associate provost and professor of mathematics at K体育. 鈥淢any of our students wish to pursue a career in education after completing their degrees at K体育. A partnership with Mercer gives our students direct access to a top-notch education program and streamlines the process to earn a graduate degree and enter the workforce.鈥�
Mercer鈥檚 Tift College of Education is the largest private preparer of educators in Georgia and offers undergraduate and graduate courses in Atlanta, Macon, Douglas County, Henry County and online.
鈥淲hen Dr. Nardo first approached us about this possibility, we knew it would be a wonderful opportunity for both institutions,鈥� said Dr. Allison Gilmore, associate dean and professor of education at Mercer. 鈥淚t was great to meet the first group of prospective K体育 students and welcome our first K体育 teacher candidate into the program for spring semester classes.鈥�
Junior Anaitza Roman, a psychology major, is the first K体育 student enrolled in the bridge program.
Mercer鈥檚 M.A.T. program offers three specializations designed to provide a comprehensive study of the specialized skills and knowledge needed to teach and support students in early childhood, middle grades and secondary education. Additionally, Mercer offers a fourth specialization in secondary education 鈥� STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The program offers a wide scope of course content that focuses on theoretical and pedagogical issues while incorporating research, assessment and technology integration. Diverse field experiences help to prepare teachers to support the diverse needs of students.
This new partnership will allow K体育 students who meet certain eligibility requirements to participate in an accelerated program of study beginning as juniors that will allow them to take both K体育 and Mercer courses as seniors and earn the MAT degree and Georgia teaching certification following a fifth year of coursework solely at Mercer.
