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.
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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.
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.
Kinesiology, Ph.D.
The Georgia State University Ph.D. in Kinesiology prepares students for research and teaching careers at colleges and universities and health, physiological performance, rehabilitative science, sport management and related fields.
Attainment of a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree ranks among the most respected accomplishments in any field.
Choose one of the following six concentrations:
The concentration in Biomechanics and Physical Rehabilitation focuses on the scientific description of human movement using multidisciplinary approaches (e.g., biomechanics, neuroscience, engineering) and advanced measurement techniques (e.g., motion capture, force and muscle activity measurements, etc.) in order to restore the functional capacity, improve the interaction with the environment, and enhance the quality of life for healthy and pathological individuals.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BIOMECHANICS AND PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CONCENTRATION
The concentration in Exercise Physiology prepares students to teach and conduct research in areas related to cardiopulmonary and neuromuscular physiology with particular emphases on exercise metabolism and performance in healthy populations, and in populations with chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuromuscular diseases).
The concentration in Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) prepares students for careers in higher education as scholars, researchers, and teacher educators. Research expertise will be acquired in the areas of instruction, digital pedagogy, curriculum, assessment, teacher education, teacher development, and adapted physical education. The concentration will prepare students as members of communities of scholars in higher education.
The concentration in Psychology of Physical Activity prepares students to teach and conduct research in areas related to the correlates of physical activity, mental health benefits of physical activity, theory-based behavior change strategies, and the design, implementation, and testing of theory -based physical activity interventions. Completion of this concentration will not lead to students becoming licensed psychologists.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION
Students earning a concentration in Rehabilitation Science will gain an in-depth understanding of the basic and applied aspects of health science and services, the social sciences, biomechanics, physiology, neuroscience and engineering as they relate to restoring human functional capacity and improving a person’s interaction with the surrounding environment. Students will hone skills of oral and written communication of scientific information, which will help to prepare them for academic and research positions in universities, private research institutions, government agencies, private industries, and the public policy sector. The concentration in Rehabilitation Science is only open to students currently enrolled in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions.
The concentration in Sport Administration prepares students to teach and conduct research in areas related to sport administration, including management, organizational behavior, marketing, communication, sport ecology, and urban planning. The program guides students to think critically about the sport management industry, comprehend sport management theory, develop a line of research inquiry, and apply various research designs and advanced statistics to become sport management researchers and professors in higher education.
Literacy Coach, Graduate Certificate
Our literacy coach certificate addresses the growing need to support classroom teachers serving diverse populations. There is an increased demand for embedded professional development, as well as coaching and mentoring in school settings. The demand for school-based literacy coaches has increased over the past few years.
The certificate program focuses on specialized coursework to prepare teachers to serve as highly qualified teacher/coaches equipped to collaborate across classrooms, with school administrators, parents and community representatives to improve student achievement.
The Literacy Coach/Instructional Facilitator certificate program is an 18-hour program of study for students who already have a master’s degree or a minimum of nine hours of appropriate reading coursework. This training is restricted to those already employed as a literacy coach in a school setting.
Literacy Education Online, M.Ed.
The Reading, Language and Literacy Education M.Ed. online program is designed to prepare certified teachers and education professionals to serve as leaders in literacy education. Tailored for the working professional, this program is offered completely online. The goal of the program is to equip educators with the knowledge and tools to advance the literacy abilities of culturally, racially and linguistically diverse K-12 students in urban and multicultural learning environments.
This online M.Ed. program requires completing 36 semester hours of coursework, an electronic portfolio, and state certification exams. Through coursework, M.Ed. students will learn the theoretical, historical and social foundations of literacy. They will also develop and implement literacy curricula, assessments and instructional strategies through supervised, online clinical experiences.
The core literacy courses for this program meet the requirements for a reading endorsement, which prepares graduates as reading teachers, who provide engaging, culturally responsive, literacy instruction to K-12 students.
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.
Literacy Specialist Non-Degree Certification
Georgia State University’s online Literacy Specialist Non-Degree Certification is designed for individuals who already hold a master’s degree in education and T4 certification. Ideal candidates must also demonstrate proficiency in the knowledge and skills in the foundations of reading, literacy and language. This proficiency may be demonstrated through completion of the Reading Endorsement (based on GaPSC Rule 505-3-. 96, effective July 1, 2023, or later), certification in Elementary Education (earned after July 1, 2025), a passing score on the Reading Education GACE (after July 1, 2025), or another valid and reliable measure of candidate proficiency.
Students will be eligible to be recommended for the Literacy Specialist Non-Degree Certification after successfully completing all coursework, including embedded key assessments, and successfully passing the GACE 560 Literacy Specialist examination. Upon successfully completing the teacher development course and internship in teacher support, students will also be recommended for the Teaching Support and Coaching Endorsement.
Mathematics Education, M.A.T.
Mathematics educators are responsible for teaching learners the intellectual skills and knowledge across a comprehensive and coherent set of mathematics principles and standards for grades 6-12. Our urban communities need highly skilled mathematics teachers whose content knowledge and instructional practice honor students’ diversity and promote equity. Mathematics educators create learning environments that enable students to learn mathematics by thinking critically, engaging them in mathematical practices and using critical thinking to make sense of core mathematical ideas. Such learning environments, grounded with research-based teaching strategies, embrace Georgia Standards of Excellence in Mathematics for depth and understanding.
The Georgia State University secondary mathematics 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 in grades 6-12. 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 committed to excellence in education.
The secondary Mathematics degree program is for students who hold a bachelor’s degree and seek an initial teaching certification in Secondary Mathematics, 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 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.
Mathematics Education, M.Ed.
The program’s chief goal is to strengthen secondary students’ mathematical understandings. This is achieved by providing you with opportunities to deepen your knowledge of learners from diverse backgrounds and explore equity issues in mathematics classrooms within urban environments.
The program will prepare you to conduct action research in the context of your classrooms, inform instruction and share the knowledge gained in a professional community of teachers.
In general, the Program of Study is framed by the principles and standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the core propositions of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS).
The M.Ed. major in Mathematics Education at Georgia State University is offered entirely online program and designed to be completed in four semesters.
Middle Level Education, B.S.Ed.
The B.S.E. in Middle Level Education prepares you to teach in schools in historically marginalized communities by emphasizing political, historical and cultural community contexts and integrating a strong justice and equity orientation.
The Middle Level Education degree program is designed for students who seek a bachelor’s degree and initial teaching certification in Middle Level Education grades 4-8 in two of the following concentration areas:
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
This program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Middle Level Education (B.S.E.) and a clear and renewable (T4) Induction Certificate in Georgia.
Throughout the program, you’ll take specialized courses and gain practical teaching experience in the field. Our program features technology integration and offers study-abroad opportunities. Faculty support planning, instruction, assessment and reflection with colleagues, faculty and partner schools who are committed to excellence in education. Students may also complete three additional classes in order to be English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) endorsed to teach the growing population of English language learners by the time of completion.
Our urban communities need highly skilled, compassionate and advocacy-oriented Middle Level teachers whose content knowledge and instructional practice honor students’ diversity and promote equity.
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.
Middle Level Education, M.A.T.
Middle-level educators in grades 4-8 are responsible for teaching intellectual skills and knowledge while attending to specific adolescent developmental needs in two of the following content areas: English language arts, mathematics, science and/or social studies. Our urban communities need highly skilled, compassionate and advocacy-oriented Middle Level teachers whose content knowledge and instructional practice honor students’ diversity and promote equity. Middle Level teachers create learning environments that develop learners’ opportunities across several content areas:
- In Georgia State University English Language Arts, teachers teach 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.
- In Mathematics, teachers enable students to learn mathematics by engaging them in mathematical practices and using critical thinking to make sense of core mathematical ideas.
- In Science, teachers enable students to learn science by thinking critically, engaging them in scientific practices and using core science ideas to make sense of phenomena from the natural world.
- In Social Studies, teachers develop young citizens who can participate in our democracy and the global community by thinking critically in history, geography, political science and economics content areas.
This program leads to a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Middle Level Education and a renewable (T5) Induction 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.
Online English Education, M.Ed.
The Online Master’s in English Education Program at Georgia State University is for certified teachers in secondary English education or middle-level language arts, grades 6-12.
It is designed to:
- reinvigorate your love of literature and passion for working with youth
- deepen your knowledge of teaching literature, composition and language study
- help you design assignments that connect to students’ real-world experiences, benefit their communities and more.
The program incorporates a flexible study schedule and a learning platform accessible anytime, anywhere.
Online Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement
Early Childhood and Elementary Education
The Teacher Support and Coaching (TSC) Endorsement Program in Early Childhood and Elementary Education is one of six endorsements offered through the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education.
The TSC Endorsement is embedded in the M.Ed. Elementary Education program as one of the eight concentrations offered to students. In addition, graduate students may elect to earn a stand-alone endorsement in TSC by enrolling and successfully completing: ECE 8400 Teacher Development and ECE 8680 Internship in Teacher Support.
Candidates must have three years of teaching experience to be eligible to enroll in the six (6) hours of Teacher Support and Coaching Endorsement courses.
One content course focuses on developing a deep and broad knowledge of research on teacher development, induction and retention including the:
- conditions and contexts that may inhibit or promote teacher knowledge, growth and change
- professional learning needs of teachers across their career lifespan
- productive coaching activities
One internship course provides an authentic residency that focuses on coaching and mentoring teacher candidates and other early-career teachers.
Program Evaluation, Post Masters Certificate
Our Program Evaluation post master’s certificate can provide you with the credentials you need to do consulting work or program evaluation.
This program includes the following:
- program evaluation models
- specialized topics in program evaluation
- issues in program evaluation
This program will help you if you’re in the following settings:
- education
- business
- industry
- government agencies
- nonprofit organizations
This program includes classroom experiences and hands-on practicum experiences to build skills as students progress towards completion of the certificate. The certificate is designed for individuals interested in working in a wide variety of education, training, and development areas, including those found in business, industry, government agencies, the military and nonprofit organizations.