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The Alternative Certification for teachers (act) Program
Two options are available:
The MED degree - for working teachers or the MAT degree - for full time students
What is the ACT Program?
The Alternative Certification for Teachers (ACT) program is an opportunity for college graduates who hold a bachelor's degree or more advanced degree in a content area from an accreditied college or university to earn a master's degree in education (M.ED) and receive a Georgia T-5 teaching certificate while working full-time as a teacher in a middle or secondary school in Georgia. A second option has been added to the ACT program, the MAT for candidates who are not employed and wish to earn certification through an intensive 14 month program with supervised apprenticeships and itnernships. The ACT program, either MED or MAT option, is designed to meet the needs of highly-qualified college graduates who wish to enter the teaching profession. During the working teacher option leading to a MED degree, after satisfactory completion of the first 18 hours of course work (year one), candidates are recommended for T-4, clear renewable, certification. Upon completion of an additional 18 hours of graduate work, candidates receive a M.Ed. degree and are recommended for T-5 certification. MAT candidates are only recommended for T-5 certification upon completion of the 36 hour MAT degree program.
What is the process for entering the ACT/MAT Programs?
STEPS FOR ENTRY INTO ACT/MAT PROGRAM (June cohort) |
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Inquiring about the process (2 parallel processes) Contact Dr. Barbara Stanley 229-333-5611 or bstanley@valdosta.edu
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College Education (Middle & Secondary) |
Graduate School |
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When both COE and graduate school requirements are completed you will be invited for a departmental group interview and on-site writing exercise |
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After all the above requirements are met candidates will receive letters of acceptance from the Graduate School and from the Department |
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What are the content areas that I may seek certification through the ACT Program?
Middle Grades Math, Science, Language Arts, or Social Studies
Secondary English, Math, History, Political Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Earth Science
How does the ACT Program work?
The ACT Program operates through cohorts that complete the 36 semester hour program together. Program participants take coursework during summer and evenings while they are employed by a school system. They also receive supervision, mentoring, and support from Valdosta State University to help ensure their success.
The ACT Program has two tracks leading to certification and a master's degree.
For Working Teachers - The first year is a certification year, the second year is the completion of the master's degree. Classes are at night: for certification there are 2 classes in the summer, 2 classes in the fall (including an internship) and 2 classes in the spring (including and internship)
For Full-Time Students - There is a 14 month MAT program that requires evening classes and day time work in the schools during an apprenticeship and an internship. The schedule is: 2 classes in the summer, 4 classes in the fall (including an internship), 4 classes in the spring (including an internship) and 2 classes in the summer.
What is the schedule of classes?
The ACT and MAT programs begin as cohort programs each June. Summer classes are for five weeks, three days a week, 6 hours a day.
Fall and spring semesters - classes are in the evening with field experiences, apprenticeships, internships, and employed teachers occuring during the day.
What if I don't have a job teaching?
There is a 14 month MAT program for full- time day- time candidates. This program merges certification and the master's degree program into an intensive field based program Candidates are placed in schools for field experiences and student teaching.
What do ACT Participants learn?
ACT participants learn the skills and competencies essential to effective teaching in the middle and secondary school environments. Participants will learn how to manage a classroom, how to motivate and reach all students, effective teaching strategies, student characteristics and learning needs. And much more!
What are the ACT Program admissions requirements?
As with any graduate program, the following criteria represent the minimal requirements for admission to the program. Meeting these requirements does not necessarily ensure acceptance into the ACT Program.
Potential candidates for admission:
- must possess a bachelor's degree from an accedited college or university.
- must have prior transcripts evaluated to determine appropriateness of course content
- must complete necessary content courses identified by the evaluation as prerequisites to entering the ACT program
- must have acceptable scores for admission (found in the Graduate School Catalog) on either the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
- must pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Basic Skills (or exemption scores on the SAT or ACT) and GACE Content Assessments.
- must be employed as a full-time teacher in a middle or secondary educational setting.
- must have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- must have an interview with the ACT Program Faculty.
- must complete a diagnostic writing assessment.
- must meet all other requirements for admission to the Valdosta State University Graduate School.
Where do I start the process?
1. Submit an application for a transcript evaluation to the Dean's Office Dewar College of Education. Current course content appropriateness for teaching in a Georgia Public School can be determined. You will receive an evaluation and have the opportunity to meet with an advisor.
2. Take and pass GACE Basic Skills Exemption (or submit exemption scores of 1000+ SAT, 43 ACT, or 1030 GRE) and GACE Content Assessment in the area in which you are seeking certification.
Is Financial Support available for the ACT Program?
The Georgia HOPE Teacher Scholarship Program provides tuition and support for individuals working toward certification in designated areas. These areas may include:
Middle Grades Math, Science, Language Arts, or Social Studies
Secondary English, Math, History, Political Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Earth Science
For more information, please go to the Georgia Student Finance Commission website: http://www.gsfc.org
Where can I get more information?
For more information about the ACT Program, go to http:///www.valdosta.edu/coe/sec/
Or, contact Dr. Barbara Stanley, ACT Program Coordinator at (229) 333-5611 or bstanley@valdosta.edu