VSU Collaborates on New Education Degrees

VALDOSTA - Valdosta State University has collaborated with other University System of Georgia institutions for the creation of several new online degrees specifically designed to target areas of high interest and/or critical need in Georgia.

According to the Board of Regents, VSU is one of five institutions, which have committed resources and expertise to offer a number of fully online graduate teacher-education programs designed for the working adult. As a result of the effort, VSU and the four other universities will offer new masters degrees in education including:

Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a major in Accomplished Teaching

Lead institution: Valdosta State University; Collaborating institutions: Columbus State University and Georgia Southern University

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a major in Special Education

Lead institution: Valdosta State University; Collaborating institution: North Georgia College and State University

Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a major in Instructional Technology

Lead institution: Georgia Southern University; Collaborating institution: Valdosta State University

Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a major in Middle Grades Education

Lead institution: North Georgia College and State University; Collaborating institution: Valdosta State University

Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a major in Reading, Language and Literacy Education (Teaching English as a Second Language)

Lead institution: Georgia State University; Collaborating institutions: North Georgia College and State University and Valdosta State University

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) with a major in Reading, Language and Literacy Alternative Preparation (Teaching English as a Second Language)
Lead institution: Georgia State University; Collaborating institutions: North Georgia College and State University and Valdosta State University.

Dr. Phillip Gunter, dean of the Dewar College of Education, said the development process for the new degree programs began in late March of this year. VSU was involved as both a lead and supporting institution with faculty members participating in the development of approximately 50 percent of the courses. Gunter said they provided their services in addition to normal responsibilities, playing a very active leadership role in the process.

Inspired by USG chancellor Erroll Davis as a way to remain competitive with private online providers, the five new programs will have an edge on quality. Each is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, a status only attained by one private online provider.

"The confidence that university administration and our colleagues have in the Dewar College of Education certainly came to the forefront in this process," said Gunter, a leader in the effort to develop the new degree programs. "We look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of USG institutions through these new degrees."

According to the Board of Regents, a brand new quick admissions process was added to the Georgia ONmyLINE Web site, www.georgiaonmyline.org, for these education degrees on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Eligible prospective students may be admitted to begin their chosen program of study within a few weeks. The new quick-admit process does not delay students from starting coursework until transcripts and other documentation is gathered. Once this new process has been tested on these programs, it will become available for implementation by additional institutions.