Academic Programs

The Georgia State University online World Languages Teacher Graduate Certificate is essential to successful classroom teaching and student learning. Earning this online graduate certificate will not only improve your classroom practice but will also help you more effectively engage your students in learning activities that help your students develop proficiency in world languages.

This online certificate is for individuals who hold a university undergraduate or graduate degree (with a GPA higher than 2.50) who are interested in being recommended for clear and renewable k-12 teaching certification by the Georgia Performance Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach a world language (Spanish, French, German, Chinese or Korean).

Students in the Department of World Languages and Cultures may apply nine credits from their program (FORL 6128 and electives FORL 8125 and FORL 8126), leaving only 9-12 more credits needed to be recommended for a renewable certificate.

The curriculum integrates social justice and equity principles and is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices. Students take specialized education and content courses throughout the program and gain practical experience in kindergarten through 12th grade. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools committed to excellence in education.

This program also includes the option of pursuing a Dual Language Immersion endorsement online and on campus for individuals with an interest in teaching elementary school courses (typically math, science and social science) in the target language with additional coursework.

For individuals seeking a master’s degree with teaching certification, the 30-credit Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in World Languages Education program, available online and on campus, allows program graduates to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility of an endorsement (ESOL, DLI or Urban Education) or to deepen their mastery of the target language. The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is embedded in the 30-credit M.I.S. in World Languages Education. Thus, the M.I.S. leads to a teaching degree with a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in the state of Georgia with a step advance on the pay scale above the (T4) certification only.

Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.