Academic Programs
Choose from a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, certificate and endorsement programs in education and human service fields.
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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.
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.
The exercise science program 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.
Exercise Science, M.S.
Our master’s program 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.
The teacher certification concentration is designed to prepare physical education 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, our 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.
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 literacy, learning technologies, and research methods and problem-solving. 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.
Instructional Design and Technology, M.S.
Become an expert in designing and delivering instruction in all formats with Georgia State’s online master of science in instructional design and technology. Our 36-hour online M.S. will have you creating dynamic and effective learning experiences while you dive into instructional systems theory and various forms of media and learning environments.
Our graduates are highly regarded and are working in corporate settings of all sizes, higher education, non-profits and government organizations, as well as other educational settings. We also provide quality, network-building internships in the metro Atlanta area.
A master’s degree in the field is desirable as organizations place greater emphasis on well-trained staff. Employers want critical thinkers who can serve in leadership roles to ensure that training is provided in ways that make sense for their employees. Instructional coordinators, designers and technologists are finding success in improving training and education. If you already work in the field, you will be putting to use right away the lessons you learn in your coursework.
Note: The program does not lead to certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The Instructional Design and Technology program has attendance requirements and meets in online web conferencing sessions. You must be able to attend online class sessions that begin as early as 4:30 p.m. EST.
Instructional Technology, Ph.D.
Learning Sciences
The Instructional Technology Ph.D. program is designed for those working in the instructional technology field in a variety of educational, training and development areas, such as those found in schools, higher education, business, industry and government agencies. The Ph.D. prepares students to conduct research on technology-enhanced learning environments.
The Instructional Technology Ph.D. program provides specialization for individuals in the following areas:
- instructional design
- alternative instructional delivery systems
- research
- management and consulting
K-5 Mathematics Endorsement
The 15-hour online kindergarten through 5th-grade mathematics endorsement program prepares you to hold the Georgia Professional Standards Commission endorsement and may qualify you for salary incentives in your district when available. The courses will develop your pedagogical content knowledge, mindset and instructional capabilities as an effective and equitable elementary mathematics teacher.
You will take four courses that focus on elementary mathematics content and pedagogy and one course that serves as a field placement where you will apply in your classroom the concepts covered with supportive feedback. All required courses are completed online. The K-5 mathematics endorsement can be completed as a stand-alone program or embedded in a graduate degree such as an M.Ed., Ed.D. or Ph.D.
You must hold a clear, renewable teaching certificate, level 4 or higher in one of the following areas: early childhood education, middle grades – mathematics or special education general curriculum/early childhood education. One year of teaching experience is required.