Academic Programs

Georgia State’s Urban Education Endorsement provides specialized preparation for teaching in urban settings. Teachers pursuing it may be enrolled as non-degree students or may be enrolled in specific programs.

This endorsement is offered through the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education, the Department of Middle and Secondary Education and the Department of Educational Policy Studies.

The undergraduate-level endorsement can be added by undergraduates who have been admitted to a teacher education program, have a 2.5 undergraduate GPA and hold a pre-service teacher certificate. View the Admissions Requirements tab below and listing in the undergraduate catalog for the requirements.

The graduate-level endorsement is offered to certified teachers or those admitted to a Georgia State initial teacher preparation program and hold a pre-service certificate. For more information, view the Admissions Requirements tab below and the listing in the graduate catalog for the requirements.

The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is for individuals who hold a university undergraduate or graduate degree (with a GPA higher than 2.50) to return for the preparation required to be recommended for clear and renewable certification (grades kindergarten through 12^th-grade) to the Georgia Performance Standards Commission (GaPSC) to teach a world language (Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Korean).

GSU World Languages and Cultures M.A. students may use 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.

This program is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices, integrating principles of social justice and equity. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses 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 who are committed to excellence in education.

This program also includes the option of pursuing a  Dual Language Immersion endorsement 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 Masters degree with teaching certification, the 30 credit Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies (MIS) in World Languages Education program affords program graduates the opportunity to explore multidisciplinary teaching with the possibility of an endorsement (ESOL, DLI, Urban Education) or to deepen their mastery of the target language. The World Language Teacher Graduate Certificate is embedded in the 30 credit MIS in World Languages Education. Thus, the MIS 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.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.) concentration in World Languages Teacher Education provides students an opportunity to further develop their skills and knowledge in French or Spanish language, culture and literary skills while completing requirements recommended for kindergarten through 12th-grade teaching certification to the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. World language educators completing the program will be prepared to support multilingual speakers in urban environments to value diverse perspectives and language varieties and to act as responsible global citizens.

This program is grounded in educational theory, research and best teaching practices, integrating principles of social justice and equity. Throughout the program, students take specialized education and content courses 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 who are committed to excellence in education.