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GRADUATION AND TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
All persons pursuing MGE program leading to teacher certification must fulfill all of the following in addition to the requirements stipulated in the undergraduate bulletin. Although advisors are available to assist students in all matters related to academic advisement, the major responsibility for meeting these requirements rests with the student.
Health and Physical Education
The College of Education requires all majors leading to teacher certification to complete
courses in health and physical education. This requirement is met by taking KSPE
2000, two physical education activity courses, and the first aid/CPR course, KSPE 2150.
Georgia Teacher Certification Testing Program
The Georgia Professional Standards Commission requires applicants seeking initial
certification to demonstrate proficiency in their certification area by passing the tests
appropriate to their program of study. These certification tests are the GACE I Basic Skills
Assessments (or exemption scores on the SAT, ACT , or GRE) and GACE II Content Assessments. A passing score must be obtained onthese tests and a copy of the
student’s scores (all four pages) must be submitted to the Dean’s Office before the
College of Education will recommend students for an initial Georgia certificate. The
GACE I Basic Skills Assessment isrequired for certification, and this requirement is met through the admission requirements
for teacher education.
The certification tests are given periodically during the school year at test locations throughout the state. Students are encouraged to register for their respective
tests when they have completed their content courses or during the first semester of the senior year. These tests may be repeated as needed
to achieve the required passing score.
Certification Programs for Students with Degrees
Students who already have a degree and are coming to Valdosta State University to
obtain a teaching certificate should first check on their eligibility for admission to teacher
education. If the student qualifies for Teacher Education, he or she should complete a
“certification evaluation” form, which may be obtained from the Dean’s Office. The completed form
will be sent to the appropriate department where the student’s transcripts will be reviewed
and a certification program developed. A certification evaluation fee will
be charged for the development of this individualized plan. Certification students must
meet admission to teacher education requirements.