Educator Certification

Welcome! We are so excited that you are interested in becoming an educator. Here you will find program-specific information on becoming certified, admission criteria, clinical practice and/or field experience requirements, graduation requirements, and more. Educator preparation programs at Valdosta State University are split into four categories: Initial Teacher, Initial Service or Leadership, Advanced Teacher, and Advanced Service or Leadership programs. To determine which program is appropriate for you, please expand the categories below for detailed information on educator certification type and degree offerings.

Additional resources for each certification type can also be accessed from the right-hand navigation menu.

• Initial Level Teacher Programs

  These are GaPSC-approved programs leading to Georgia initial teacher certification. Previously earned certification is not required. The grade(s) listed in parentheses are the grades that program completers are certified to teach in their field. 

  B.F.A. Art Education (Grades P-12)
  Certification-Only in Art Education (Grades P-12)
  B.S.Ed. Elementary Education (Grades P-5)
  Certification-Only in Elementary Education (Grades P-5)
  M.A.T. Education in English to Speakers of Other Languages (Grades P-12)
  M.A.T. Education in Foreign Language Education offers certification in one of the following fields:

  French (Grades P-12)
  Spanish (Grades P-12)

  Certification-Only in Healthcare Science Technology Education (Grades 6-12)
  B.S.Ed. Health and Physical Education (Grades P-12)
  M.A.T. Health and Physical Education (Grades 6-12)
  Certification-Only in Health and Physical Education (Grades P-12)
  B.A. Mathematics in Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)
  B.S.Ed. Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)
  M.A.T. Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)
  M.A.T. Music Education (Grades P-12)
  M.A.T. Secondary Education (Grades 6-12) offers certification in one of the following fields:

  English
  History
  Mathematics
  Political Science
  Science Education (choose one of the four fields listed below)

  Biology
  Chemistry
  Earth Space Science
  Physics

  M.A.T. Special Education in Adapted Curriculum (Grades P-12)
  M.A.T. Special Education in General Curriculum (Grades P-12)
  B.S.Ed./M.Ed. Special Education/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades P-12)
  M.Ed. Special Education/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades P-12)
  M.A.T. Special Education in Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Grades P-12)
  Certification-Only in Technical Specializations (Grades 6-12)

• Initial Level Service and Leadership Programs

  These are GaPSC-approved programs leading to a Georgia initial level service or leadership certification. Previously earned certification is not required.

  Leader Certification:
  Certification Only in Educational Leadership (Tier I)
  M.Ed. Educational Leadership (Tier I)
  Service Certification:
  Certification Only in Library Media (Grades P-12)
  Ed.S. Instructional Technology in Library Media (Grades P-12)
  Ed.S. Teacher Leadership (Grades P-12)
  M.Ed. Communication Disorders (Grades P-12)
  M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction in Accomplished Teaching
  M.Ed. Instructional Technology in Library Media (Grades P-12)
  M.Ed. Counselor Education (Grades P-12)
  *Offers Initial Other School Professional or Advanced Other School Professional certification

• Advanced Level Teacher Programs

  These are GaPSC-approved programs leading to a Georgia advanced teacher certification upgrade. Previously earned certification is required, and you must already hold certification in the program's content area.

  Ed.S. Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education (Grades P-12)
  Ed.S. Special Education (Grades P-12)
  M.Ed. Adult and Career Education in Career and Technical Education (Grades 6-12)
  M.Ed. Elementary Education (Grades P-5)
  M.Ed. Health and Physical Education (Grades P-12)
  M.Ed. Middle Grades Education in Math and Science (Grades 4-8)

• Advanced Level Service and Leadership Programs

  These are GaPSC-approved programs leading to a Georgia advanced level service and leadership certification upgrade. Previously earned certification is required, and you must already hold certification in the program's content area.

  Certification Only in Performance-Based Leadership (Tier II)
  Ed.S. Educational Leadership (Tier II)
  Ed.D. Curriculum and Instruction in P-12 Curriculum and Instruction*
  Ed.D. Leadership (Grades P-12)
  Ed.S. School Counseling (Grades P-12)
  S.L.P.D. Speech Language Pathology (Grades P-12)
  *Offers Initial Other School Professional or Advanced Other School Professional certification

• Non-Degree Endorsement Programs

  Endorsements recognize additional expertise in specific areas. Previously earned certification is required because endorsement programs do not result in an additional degree or certification. Endorsements can be taken as part of elective coursework in a degree program and require completion of 3-4 courses.

  English Speakers to Other Languages (ESOL) (P-12)

  Gifted In-Field (P-12)

  Online Teaching (P-12)

  Reading (P-12)