The M.Ed. in Accomplished Teaching offers an online master’s degree through three NCATE-accredited Colleges of Education in the University System of Georgia: Valdosta State University, Georgia Southern University, and Columbus State University. Top graduate faculty from each school teach the courses. This 12-course, 36 semester hour, online M.Ed. program can be completed in four consecutive semesters – about 16 months – with full-time enrollment. For students who are unable to enroll full-time, courses are offered on a continuous basis allowing for part-time enrollment. No campus visits are required to complete the program.

Students in the Accomplished Teaching program benefit from a highly interactive setting that promotes leadership, collegiality, and communication skills. Professional educators find that the online Accomplished Teaching program emphasizes application of acquired knowledge and skills in their classrooms and schools. Teachers in the program come from a wide range of classroom settings and subject areas. Working educators choose the online M.Ed. in Accomplished Teaching because participating universities’ reputations for offering high quality graduate programs and students who enroll often have busy lifestyles or live distances from universities. All coursework, including exams, is completed online.

To apply for the M.Ed. in Accomplished Teaching select the Apply Now link above to access the online application for admission. The admission structure for the program is a sequenced, two-semester admission process. The first semester is called the Quick Admit or Semester One review. Admission for Semester One/Quick Admission is a provisional admission and is good for only one semester.

To be considered for Semester One/Quick Admission review, applicants must:

• Submit an online application (visit the Apply Now link above)
• Submit $50 application fee. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid online by debit or credit card.
• Have completed a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution.
• Hold a clear/renewable teaching certificate (T-4 or higher) in any field,  in the State of Georgia. The Graduate School will verify your certificate through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC) Certificate Home page.
• Individuals certified in states other than Georgia will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Holding certification in another state does not guarantee eligibility for this program. Applicants should contact the VSU Graduate School at goml@valdosta.edu or (229) 333-5694 or the Accomplished Teaching Program Coordinator at bstanley@valdosta.edu or (229) 333-5611.

Processing Time: One week from receipt of all required documents

Admission Notification Method: Email only

To be reviewed for Semester One/Quick Admit, all required documents must be received prior to close of business on the admission deadline. For semester deadlines visit the VSU GOML Calendar.

Once Quick Admitted for Semester One, applicants must begin fulfilling the remaining Semester Two requirements. To be reviewed for full, Semester Two admission, applicants must:

• Submit official transcripts from each institution where an applicant has previously enrolled (undergraduate and graduate coursework). Transcripts of coursework completed at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School.  Former VSU students are only required to submit transcripts of all coursework completed elsewhere.
• Have passed the GACE Content Assessment or PRAXIS II assessment (as required for your clear/renewable certification). In most cases for Georgia residents, this will be verified by the graduate school through the GAPSC Certification web site.
• Complete the student information section (top of page) and distance learning exemption (bottom of page), on the VSU Medical Form.

Processing Time: A minimum of two weeks for Semester Two decisions following receipt of all required documents (additional time may apply due to mailing time)

Admission Notification Method: Postal mail only

To be reviewed for Semester Two, applicants must complete all requirements prior to the application deadline for that term (see VSU GOML Calendar). Students are not permitted to register for Semester Two courses until they receive full, semester two admission and receive their letter. Remember:

• You are encouraged to complete Semester Two requirements well in advance of the deadline.  Failing to do so will delay registration and may impact course availability. 
• Students who fail to submit all Semester Two requirements prior to the admission deadline will forfeit their place in the program, be required to sit out at least one semester, and will be required to submit a new application and fee for the following term.  Quick Admission for Semester One will not be offered more than once for the same program.

For additional admissions information, please contact the VSU Graduate School at (229) 333-5694 or by email goml@valdosta.edu.

• The program is fully online and there are no on-campus attendance requirements,
• Students must have access to a digital video camera and Webcam software and hardware to enable videotaping, remote classroom observation, and conferencing.
• Must spend a minimum of 20 hours per week in a classroom setting each semester. - Teachers enrolled in this program must be in a classroom setting, a minimum of 20 hours per week, per semester. This requirement can be fulfilled as a classroom teacher, para-professional, or classroom volunteer.

• Individuals seeking to enter the M.Ed. program who are currently enrolled in a graduate program at another institution follow the same application process and are required to submit the same documents as a standard applicant.
• A maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate coursework may be considered for transfer credit for the M.Ed. in Accomplished Teaching program.
• Transfer credit hours must be less than 7 years old at the point of the Accomplished Teaching degree completion.
• Requests for transfer credit for graduate coursework completed prior to entering the M.Ed. program must be documented in the form of an official transcript during the admission process.  An official request for transfer credit to be applied to the program of study must be made by the student and submitted to the academic advisor.
• Eligibility for transfer credit will be determined by the student’s academic advisor. Additional documentation (i.e., course descriptions or course syllabi) may be requested for evaluation purposes.
• Students who receive transfer credit will be notified by the academic advisor.

Admission deadlines are defined as the last day in which completed application materials will be accepted for admission review for that term. Applications which are incomplete (this includes an application submitted on the deadline without all required materials) at VSU close of business on the deadline, will not be reviewed for that term. 

Applications for the M.Ed. program are accepted only one semester in advance.  Admission deadlines for each term are available on the VSU GOML Calendar.

Deadlines for Semester One/Quick Admission applicants and Semester Two students are the same.

Students in this program must:

• have access to a digital video camera and Webcam software and hardware to enable videotaping, remote classroom observation and conferencing.
• purchase and register with Live Text portfolio assessment software.
• have a high speed internet access.
• have additional course-specific software as required.

Students enrolled in the program will use online courses to conduct all work, including team functions, exams, discussion posts, and case studies. Students also have access to academic resources, such as an online library. Courses are asynchronous. No face-to-face meetings are required. Students may participate in IP videoconferencing/audio-conferencing for instruction or field experience supervision. The courses combine text materials, case studies, online team projects and assignments, as well as discussions and written project work. Grades may be based on reports, exams, assigned case studies, and participation in course and team activities.

The tuition and fees for courses in the M.Ed. program is $350 per credit hour or $1050 per 3 semester hour course, for both in-state and out-of-state residents.  The program is a total of 36 semester hours in length. This cost excludes the purchase of textbooks or supplemental materials.

M.Ed. students are eligible for financial aid in the form of student loans through the VSU Office of Financial Aid.  For information on Financial Aid contact the VSU Office of Financial Aid at 229-333-5935.

The M.Ed. in Accomplished Teaching program is not eligible for the Hope Teacher Scholarship Program.