VSU First to Enroll Student in New Education Degree Program

VALDOSTA - The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia honored Valdosta State University for enrolling and registering the first student in one of the new online education masters programs. VSU faculty members accepted the recognition last week at a meeting in Macon, sponsored by the board.

In January, Rebecca Curry Farrington of Hawkinsville, Ga. will begin working for a degree in the Master of Education in Accomplished Teaching program, one of several online masters programs that were created by a collaborative effort between VSU and four other USG institutions. Others include the Master of Arts in Teaching with a major in Special Education, Master of Education with a major in Instructional Technology, Master of Education with a major in Middle Grades Education, Master of Education with a major in Reading, Language and Literacy Education and Master of Arts in Teaching with a major in Reading, Language and Literacy Alternative Preparation.

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.

Farrington and others have been able to take advantage of a brand new, quick admissions process added to the Georgia ONmyLINE Web site, www.georgiaonmyline.org . Georgia ONmyLINE launched in October, providing access to distance learning offerings through the USG’s 35 institutions. The site’s new option allows prospective students to be admitted to begin the degree program of choice within just a few weeks without waiting until transcripts and other documentation are collected.

These new options are a reality because of hard working individuals in the collaborating institutions. VSU had three recognized at the BOR meeting in Macon, including Lisa Baldwin, Information Technology, Barbara Stanley, department head for Middle, Secondary, Reading and Deaf Education, and Karla Hull, department head for Early Childhood and Special Education. Dr. Phil Gunter, dean of Dewar College of Education, said he is proud of these and other faculty members that participated in the collaboration of the new degrees, which have received more than 33 applications so far.

“I am proud of the leadership role taken by VSU staff and faculty in the College of Education in the development and implementation of this new initiative,” Gunter said. “VSU has led the way for many innovations within the system; this is only an example.”

For more information, please contact the Dewar College of Education (229) 333-5925, the Graduate School, (229) 333-5694 or visit the Georgia ONmyLINE Web site, at www.georgiaonmyline.org .