Admission Criteria For Teacher Preparation Programs

Admission Criteria for Non-Teacher Preparation Programs

Admission Criteria for Teacher Preparation Programs

The following requirements must be satisfied in order to be admitted to Teacher Education:

1. Have a major leading to teacher certification declared in BANNER. Whether your major is correct can be determined by viewing your transcript in BANNER. Questions about whether your major is an approved teacher education program can be directed to the COEHS Advising Center at (229) 245-3880 or COE_advisingcenter@valdosta.edu.

2. Have earned an overall cumulative GPA at or above 2.75. 

3. Have earned a minimum of 45 semester hours of coursework. 

4. Have either exempted or earned passing scores for all components of the GACE Program Admission Assessment (test numbers 200, 201, 202, or Combined Tests 700) OR GACE Basic Skills Assessment (Note: Assessment cost for all three tests is approximately $128).  This upload is automatically completed by VSU Information Technology but if these test scores do not appear on the "Teacher Education Admission Information" page in BANNER within two weeks of receiving your passing scores, please contact the COEHS Advising Center at (229) 245-3880 or COE_advisingcenter@valdosta.edu.

Methods of Exemption:

  • A minimum SAT score of 1000 on Verbal/Critical Reading & Math
  • A minimum SAT score of 1000 on  Evidence-Based Reading and Writing & Math on score reports dated before July, 1, 2019
  • A minimum SAT score of 1080 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing & Math on score reports dated on or after July, 1, 2019
  • A minimum ACT score of 43 on English and Math 
  • A minimum GRE composite score of 1030 on Verbal and Quantitative for tests before August 1, 2011
  • A minimum GRE composite score of 297 on Verbal and Quantitative for tests on or after August 1, 2011
  • You hold a current or expired Georgia Clear Renewable (professional) certification
  • You hold a current or expired professional certificate from another state or are being recommended for certification from a preparation program approved in another state

Note: If you are applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching for Middle Grades or Secondary Education, you must also pass the GACE Content Assessment and email the official score report(s) to COE_advisingcenter@valdosta.edu for admission into this program.

5. Have completed the GaPSC Educator Ethics Assessment – Program Entry (Note: Assessment cost is $30). This upload is automatically completed by VSU Information Technology but if this assessment score does not appear on the "Teacher Education Admission Information" page in BANNER within two weeks of receiving your scores for all modules, please contact the COEHS Advising Center at (229) 245-3880 or COE_advisingcenter@valdosta.edu. Educators who hold a valid Induction, Professional, Lead Professional, or Advanced Professional Certificate are not required to attempt the assessment if they enroll in a program for the purpose of adding a new teaching field.

Once you have met all of the requirements above, please submit an Application for Admission into Teacher Education. 

Admission Criteria for Non-Teacher Preparation Programs

Bachelor of Science in Education Degree with a Major in American Sign Language/English Interpreting

  • Prior to taking any professional courses in the major, students must receive an 'S' in INTP 2998.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in American Sign Language/English Interpreting is a rigorous program that prepares students to work as professional interpreters, ensuring communication access in a variety of settings wherever hearing and D/deaf or hard of hearing people come together. Our graduates go on to work in K-12 and post-secondary public educational settings, as well as other community, freelance, and staff interpreting positions.

Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Psychology
Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Psychology

  • Prior to taking any classes in the major, students must receive an 'S' in PSYC 2998 by completing 30 hours of credit, receive a 'C' or better in ENG 1101, ENGL 1102, PSYC 1101, and MATH 1111, 1112, 1113, or its equivalent, and have a 2.5 GPA. Transfer students may take PSYC 2998 concurrently with classes in the Psychology major, if they have successfully completed the above requirements at a prior institution.
  • These programs introduce students to the liberal arts and to Psychology as a scientific discipline, with content and methods able to improve the human condition. Each program in this department has numerous desired outcomes.