Academic Programs
Choose from a wide range of both undergraduate degrees, undergraduate certificates, graduate degrees, graduate certificates, and graduate endorsement programs in education and within human service fields.
- For a comprehensive list of our college’s undergraduate programs with instructions on applying to the major, click here.
- For a comprehensive list of graduate programs with application deadlines and admission requirements, click here.
Still Not Sure?
The information shared here is intended to provide an overview of Georgia State’s Education & Human Development offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more please refer to the university catalogs.
English Education, M.A.T.
The Georgia State University English education program is designed for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and seek an initial teaching certification in secondary English (grades 6-12). This program leads to a master of arts in teaching (M.A.T.) and a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in the state of Georgia.
English educators are responsible for constructing learning environments that support students’ development in reading literature, writing for multiple audiences, expressing ideas and opinions in speech and interpersonal communication and exploring the potential of the arts in language arts.
The secondary English degree program is grounded in educational theory, research and best practice, integrating principles of social justice and equity. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses and gain practical teaching experience for middle and high school levels. Our dynamic program features technology integration and offers study abroad opportunities. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.
This program will transform your passion into a professional career, providing an initial certification for teaching English language arts for 6th-12th grades.
English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), M.A.T.
Want to make a difference for immigrant students and families who are new to the U.S. while learning the art and science of teaching? Did you know this population represents 10% of all schoolchildren and continues to grow rapidly?
You can be the change agent who makes a difference in providing skills and access to academic achievement. And you can learn it all online. The Georgia State Master of Arts in Teaching with a major in English to Speakers of Other Languages is designed for students with bachelor’s degrees seeking initial teaching certification in ESOL –grades kindergarten through 12th grade.
The ESOL degree program is grounded in educational theory, research and best practice, integrating principles of social justice and equity throughout. Throughout the program, students take specialized education, content courses and gain practical teaching experience, mostly in middle or high school.
Graduates of this program earn a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree and a clear and renewable (T5) induction certificate in the state of Georgia.
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.
The program also includes the option of receiving a reading endorsement that qualifies graduates to teach reading courses to all students (not just English language learners) at the middle or secondary level (grades 6-12). Our dynamic program features technology integration. Faculty support teacher candidates in planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education.
ESOL Endorsement
Middle and Secondary Education
Graduate courses in bilingual/English as a second language give teachers additional training to work with non-English speaking or limited English speaking students at the early childhood, middle childhood and secondary school levels.
ESOL endorsement
Successful completion of the coursework and portfolio demonstrating competencies established for English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers by Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) results in candidates being endorsed to teach ESOL in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Students must be admitted as graduate students to the College of Education & Human Development. Students who do not hold an initial certification in a teaching field may apply to the M.A.T. degree in reading, language and literacy education to receive initial certification in ESOL and a reading endorsement.
View the In-Person Course Information
Online ESOL endorsement
Successful completion of the non-degree online ESOL endorsement coursework and a portfolio qualifies a person to teach ESOL in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Students seeking only the non-degree online ESOL endorsement must be admitted to the College of Education & Human Development as a non-degree student. All courses in the non-degree online ESOL endorsement must be completed online. No other courses may apply.
Exercise Science, B.S.
Georgia State’s BS in Exercise Science prepares students for careers in adult fitness and wellness, worksite health promotion/corporate fitness, personal training, clinical exercise physiology, cardiac rehabilitation and other related fields. Preparation is also provided in biomechanical analysis, program management, sports skills development and enhancement, strength and conditioning, and related topics.
Employers value Exercise Science majors. In every class, at every event, and in every program in which you participate, you practice skills that connect to the competencies employers value most.
- Heath care, exercise, and fitness thrives in team-based environments, and the B.S. Exercise Science curriculum is designed to enhance collaboration skills that will transfer in the field. This is accomplished through group activities and labs.
- The Exercise Science Program integrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills in program-level courses.
- Technology is evolving in the health and fitness industry, and allowing our students to experience and train with the most recent technology to help evaluate the human body is paramount.
- Many classes aim to help students evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and work develop as leaders in the field.
Exercise Science, M.S.
The Georgia State M.S. in Exercise Science prepares students to conduct research in exercise science or pursue careers in worksite health promotion or fitness, cardiac rehabilitation or related clinical programs.
The program includes classroom, laboratory, research and field experience in biomechanics, exercise physiology, psychology of physical activity and related interdisciplinary coursework in areas such as public health, gerontology and nutrition.
Exercise science provides advanced academic preparation for a successful career in the health and fitness field or for advancement to doctoral-level study.
Health and Physical Education, B.S.E.
Georgia State University’s Health and Physical Education B.S.E with a teacher certification concentration prepares teachers to educate pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students about physical and motor skills, individual and team sport skills and tactics, physical fitness, nutrition, and health to encourage active lifestyles across the lifespan. Students complete prerequisite classes and apply to the program in the spring of their sophomore year. After completing a series of activity and content classes in both physical education and health education, students will have the opportunity to complete methods of teaching classes in four settings (elementary, secondary, adapted physical education, and health education). Students gain full-time semester-long student teaching placements at both an elementary and secondary (middle or high school). Students who earn teaching certification can serve in a head coach position in public schools in Georgia.
Sport Coaching is teaching in an athletic venue instead of a classroom. This program merges theoretical understanding of psychological, scientific, and pedagogical aspects of coaching with practical experiences to prepare students to succeed in coaching at all levels of sport. Students apply to the program in the spring of their sophomore year. Practical experiences in field-based settings with professional and community coaches, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches underlie the application of theory and practice. The curriculum follows the knowledge and skills outlined by The Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE America) National Standards for Sport Coaches preparing students to be effective leaders and advocates of athletes regardless of the sport. This concentration does not lead to initial teacher certification. Students graduating with a concentration in sport coaching are not currently eligible to serve as head coach in a public school K-12 setting.
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.
Health and Physical Education, M.A.T.
If you’re looking to teach in health and physical education from pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade settings, the Georgia State University master of arts in teaching in health and physical education is designed for you.
While in the program, students learn the content knowledge required by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for certification in health and physical education and graduates are eligible for the induction teaching certificate in Georgia.
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.
Health and Physical Education, M.Ed.
Our program M.Ed. in Health and Physical Education degree is for those who are pre-kindergarten through 12th grade health and physical educators.
This program will:
- Extend your content and pedagogical knowledge for improved professional practice.
- Develop leadership skills that will allow you to lead curriculum development, program administration and leadership roles at the local school level and in professional organizations at the state, regional and national level.
Health Literacy Graduate Certificate
Improved health literacy increases health equity. Addressing health literacy reduces disparities through improved communication between patients and health consumers and those who provide health information, such as doctors or public health workers.
This online graduate certificate strengthens competencies already acquired in fields such as nursing, social work, public health and adult literacy. You will learn the importance of understandable and actionable health information, the challenges of acquiring and changing health-related behavior and the development of programs in the community for addressing low health literacy.
The online Graduate Certificate in Health Literacy combines a theoretical and practical approach to issues of health literate communication in adult education, the health professions, healthcare administration and public health.
This program is designed for :
- Adult educators
- Researchers
- Health care professionals
- Health system employees
- Public health practitioners
A significant feature of this certificate is the collaboration among scholars and practitioners in adult education, the health professions, healthcare administration and health promotion and behavior. The program gives students a systematic understanding of how health literacy impacts education, health outcomes, health communication, health promotion and behavior between and among individuals, businesses, health care entities, and traditional and digital media. These skills are critical in industry, academia, business, non-profit organizations, healthcare facilities, and government.
Higher Education Administration, M.I.S.
This is the only fully-online master’s program in Higher Education Administration offered by a research-intensive (R1) university in the state.
Georgia State University is an enterprising urban public research institution. Faculty in our program are breaking new ground in how we understand diversity and equity in higher education, minority-serving institutions, higher education policy and student success.
This program provides the skills to be successful in careers in higher education administration:
- Knowledge of institutional landscape of higher education, governance and issues faced by colleges and universities, especially institutional types in Georgia such as minority-serving institutions and community colleges.
- Understanding of how colleges and universities shape – and are shaped by – race, gender and class
- Understanding of social and academic integration and how to design support services based on these principals
- Ability to apply higher education theory and concepts in a real-world setting
Human Learning and Development, B.I.S.
The Human Learning and Development program provides students an opportunity to acquire a career-oriented range of skills and knowledge. Students choose from the coursework in behavior and learning disabilities, counseling, deaf studies, educational psychology, family and community advocacy, learning technologies, research methods and problem-solving, and urban education. Courses are taught by faculty across the College of Education & Human Development’s seven departments.
No application is required for this bachelor’s degree. Students are required to declare two selected disciplines with their academic adviser or online.
Instructional Design and Technology, Graduate Certificate
The online graduate certificate in instructional design and technology prepares you for jobs focusing on the creation of training and education materials. The four courses in the program (12 credit hours) are from the master of science curriculum of the same name. You can complete the graduate certificate to reach your career goals or move on to the full M.S. program.
Technology training needs have never been greater. Jobs for experts in managing e-Learning programs and performance support in the workplace are in high demand.
You will gain the skills necessary to design, develop, facilitate and manage learning and technology training programs, including HR training and human performance support systems.