College of Education
Teacher Education Options at Georgia State University
(For individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree)
In order to obtain renewable teacher certification in the state of Georgia, one must complete an approved teacher education program. In most cases, this usually means becoming enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an accredited educational institution. Colleges and universities vary in the programs they offer, the courses required, and the length of time to complete. Georgia State University offers the following options for basic preparation that will result in initial certification in Georgia:
Since you have already earned a bachelor’s degree, you may be interested in graduate work at this time. Most graduate teacher education programs at Georgia State are designed for already-certified, practicing teachers rather than for initial teacher preparation. These programs do not, therefore, include basic preparation; in particular they do not include beginning level education courses or student teaching. Graduate programs that do include basic preparation and result in initial certification in Georgia are as follows:
A. Master of Education Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (M.Ed./GTAPP) in Early Childhood Education (pre-school through grade 5). Each summer a cohort of qualified candidates holding a baccalaureate degree in a field other than education will be selected for the Early Childhood Education Georgia State University Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (GTAPP). These candidates participate in a program of university seminars and extensive individualized coaching in Fulton County K-5 classrooms. Summer semester begins with a 15-semester hour summer institute which closely parallels the Teach For America (TFA) model but employs ECE faculty for instruction and mentoring.
Interns are placed in the Fulton County elementary summer school program. Extensive coaching of teaching skills is provided daily by university and school-based mentors. At the end of the instructional day interns return to campus for evening coursework. The goal of the summer institute for each GTAPP intern is to grow in his/her ability to assume teaching responsibilities, eventually planning and implementing for a full day of instruction.
Georgia State University and Fulton County Public Schools collaborate on instruction and supervision in order to provide a balance between educational theory and practical classroom application. Beginning summer semester, when funding is available, interns will be employed as Teacher Assistants by Fulton County Schools. At the end of the Fall semester, successful candidates will be recommended for intern (I) certification and may begin employment as a full-time teacher.
Spring semester GTAPP interns will complete Year I’s Program of Study leading to initial certification. After successfully completing Year I of the program, candidates may select to continue for Year II culminating in the Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.
Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination and from GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) are required. The current options for satisfying the Basic Skills Assessment, including the exemptions, are outlined at http://www.gapsc.com/documentation/basicskillsinfo.asp. Under "Basic Skills Testing," go to "Options to Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement." Registration booklets for both tests is available exclusively online through the Internet. More information about this program can be obtained at the Early Childhood Education Web site. Application deadline is February 1. Suggested lead-time for meeting any application deadline is three months. Program information may be obtained from the Department of Early Childhood Education at 404-413-8020.
B. Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in English, mathematics, science or social studies (grades 7 - 12) or middle grades education (grade 4 -8). This master’s program leads to initial certification and is designed for future English, math, science, or social studies educators who have completed a bachelor’s degree with a major in the content field of the intended program. A program is also offered for individuals who are interested in teaching English as a second language. Further information can be obtained at http://msit.gsu.edu/programs/ms_teems/htm. On line applications are available at http://education.gsu.edu/ Click on Prospective Students, then Admissions. Application deadline is February 1. Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination and from GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) are required. The current options for satisfying the Basic Skills Assessment, including the exemptions, are outlined at http://www.gapsc.com/documentation/basicskillsinfo.asp. Under "Basic Skills Testing," go to "Options to Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement." Registration for both tests is available exclusively online by the Internet. Suggested lead-time for meeting any deadline is three months.
C. Master of Education (M.Ed.) in special education. Students may select from a variety of special education fields for certification in pre-school through grade 12. These programs are described in depth at http://education.gsu.edu/epse/NW3/3sped/index.htm. Part-time participation is allowed; program completion time on average is three years. Application deadlines are February 1 for summer and fall and October 1 for spring. On line applications are available at http://education.gsu.edu/ . Click on Prospective Students, then Admissions. Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination and from GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) are required. The current options for satisfying the Basic Skills Assessment, including the exemptions, are outlined at http://www.gapsc.com/documentation/basicskillsinfo.asp. Under "Basic Skills Testing," go to "Options to Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement." Registration for both tests is available online by the Internet. Suggested lead-time for meeting the deadline is three months.
The department also offers a non-degree initial teacher certification program in interrelated special education. Admission is limited to 40 students and begins only in the summer term. Applicants must be employed in an appropriate school setting or available for field placements during the day. Test scores from GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) are required. Additional program information is available at http://education.gsu.edu/epse/certification/bld.htm .
Special education programs are offered through the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education (EPSE). The department conducts an information session at least once each semester for individuals with no teaching experience or training who wish to learn about certification in special education. Transcript analysis is provided for participants who bring copies of their transcripts. (The field of communication disorders is not covered at this session.) Sessions are offered at 4:00 pm on the eighth floor of the College of Education Building, 30 Pryor Street. To obtain information session dates, call the department at (404) 413-8040.
D. Master of Education (M.Ed.) in school counseling. This program offers preparation for school counselors in pre-school through grade eight or grades nine through 12. Program completion leads to a service certificate in school counseling rather than a teaching certificate. The program begins each summer, and is described in depth at http://www.gsu.edu/~wwwaae/Med/sco. Online applications are available at http://education.gsu.edu/ Click on Prospective Students, then Admissions. Application deadline is February 1. Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination and from GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) are required. The current options for satisfying the Basic Skills Assessment, including the exemptions, are outlined at http://www.gapsc.com/documentation/basicskillsinfo.asp. Under "Basic Skills Testing," go to "Options to Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement." Registration for both tests isavailable exclusively online by the Internet. Suggested lead-time for meeting the deadline is three months.
The school counseling program is offered through the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS). The department conducts an information session twice each month for individuals interested in any of its majors. There is no charge for the session, but call (404) 413-8010 to register, to learn the session location, and to obtain dates of sessions.
E. Master of Library Media (MLM) in library media technology. This program prepares media specialists for pre-school through grade 12. Program completion leads to a service certificate as a media specialist rather than to a teaching certificate. Students may begin fall, spring, or summer semester. For more information, please see the web site at http://msit.gsu.edu/programs/ms_mlm.htm. On line applications are available at http://education.gsu.edu/ Click on Prospective Students, then Admissions. Deadlines are February 1 for summer or fall consideration and October 1 for spring. Test scores from the Graduate Record Examination and from GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) are required. The current options for satisfying the Basic Skills Assessment, including the exemptions, are outlined at http://www.gapsc.com/documentation/basicskillsinfo.asp. Under "Basic Skills Testing," go to "Options to Satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement." Registration for both tests is available online by the Internet. Suggested lead-time for meeting a deadline is three months.
All programs listed above are described fully in the College of Education Graduate Catalog available on-line at http://www.gsu.edu/