The Doctor of Education degree with a major in Adult and Career Education provides advanced, professional learning for individuals pursuing careers in teaching and leadership of adult and career education and related fields.  This program prepares students for working with adult learners in career education fields in the secondary and postsecondary education and private workforce education and government agency contexts. 

American Sign Language, a form of communication used primarily in deaf communities, is a language in which people use their hands and other body parts to converse without sound. The American Sign Language and English Interpreting program (ASL) at Valdosta State prepares students to interpret American Sign Language in a variety of settings. There is a high demand for qualified interpreters, who play a vital role in assisting those who are deaf and hard of hearing and serve a critical role in the educational system.

Communication disorders can affect people of all backgrounds and involve problems with speech, language and auditory processing. People with communication disorders may have difficulty getting their message across or receiving communication from other sources. Students in the communication disorders program at Valdosta State University are introduced to the field of speech-language pathology and develop the intervention skills necessary to help individuals with communication disorders.

Communication disorders can affect people of all backgrounds and involve problems with speech, language and auditory processing. People with communication disorders may have difficulty getting their message across or receiving communication from other sources. Students in the communication disorders program at Valdosta State University are introduced to the field of speech-language pathology and develop the intervention skills necessary to help individuals with communication disorders.

The objective of the program is to prepare advanced practitioners and future university clinical faculty in Communication Sciences and Disorders through provision of an affordable, rigorous, high quality clinical doctorate. The clinical doctorate would have emphasis on the social and cultural aspects of communication sciences and disorders (speech and language pathology) as it applies to both allied health care and educational services to under-served populations.

This clinical doctorate is designed to deepen the knowledge, leadership, and problem-solving skills of current practitioners with a focus on coursework and applications that incorporate current research, ethical decision-making, and models of best practice. The curriculum will prepare doctoral students to analyze, synthesize, and apply research-based theory to their current work environment and through the development of the applied dissertation.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) program in Counselor Education requires a total of 60 semester. Students will begin in the summer semester (only) after being admitted to the program. The M.Ed. in Counselor Education allows students to focus on one of two tracks: School Counseling or Clinical Mental Health Counseling. The School Counseling track of the program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP). The newly developed Clinical Mental Health Counseling track is CACREP-like and adheres to CACREP accreditation standards.

The Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: P-12 Disciplinary Concentration degree offers an engaging and flexible educational model designed to fit the busy schedules of working professional educators in a variety of instructional fields. Our innovative program provides practical opportunities for students to relate theoretical foundations to curricular and instructional issues facing schools and other educational systems. You will enjoy learning from our quality faculty whose real-world experience and knowledge has been acquired through many years learning, researching, and working in the domains of our field. Our program delivery includes online and hybrid options. Additionally, 2 required one-day doctoral seminars are held on a Saturday in Valdosta, GA in June at the beginning of year one and beginning of year 2. Electives will vary in delivery format based on your approved selections, and they must align with your declared disciplinary concentration.

Advantages of this program are:

• Approved by the GaPSC as an advanced program, which will lead to a certificate upgrade but will add no new field to your certificate.
• Students holding a valid GaPSC Standard Professional certificate (or higher) qualify for the Alternate Level 6 Certification Option upon successful completion of 36 credit hours and an approved portfolio.
• Students holding a valid GaPSC Standard Professional certificate (or higher) qualify for a Level 7 Certification upon successful degree completion.
• No GACE exam required
• Available concentrations include:

A minor in Deaf Studies was established by Valdosta State University to provide students with knowledge and skills in American Sign Language (ASL) as well as Deaf Culture, linguistics. Students pursing a minor in Deaf Studies are exposed to the uniqueness of ASL as a world language while acquiring cultural knowledge that will enable them to successfully interact with the American Deaf community. The curriculum is designed to promote a cultural and linguistic understanding of Deaf individuals while encouraging students to analyze existing stereotypes pertaining to this population, so they in turn, can effectively educate hearing members of society.

The Deaf Studies Minor is housed in the Department of Middle, Secondary, Reading & Deaf Education within the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education at Valdosta State University. Students can enroll in the program as traditional/on campus residents, or complete coursework through distance learning/video conferencing technology. The Department offers undergraduate programs in ASL/Interpreting, Deaf Education, Middles Grades Education, Reading and master's degree preparation in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

The structure of the Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Elementary Education is to prepare teacher candidates to teach and support students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade in the field of elementary education. With passing of the applicable state-required content and performance-based assessments, the major in elementary education results in a Georgia Professional Standards Commission Certificate of Eligibility for an Induction certificate in elementary education (P-5).

The Certification Only Program in Elementary Education is designed for the candidate who already possesses a bachelor’s degree in another field to provide the requirements necessary to obtain a teaching certificate in Elementary Education (P-5) from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

The Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education offers programs that lead to the Bachelor of Science in Education degree (B.S.Ed.) with a major in health and physical education.

Degree programs in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education prepare students for professional careers in health and physical education (teacher education). The degree programs are designed to teach concepts and skills appropriate for specific careers through a series of sequenced courses and field experiences. These concepts and skills include program planning, technology applications, social and cultural diversity, appreciation for individual differences, assessment, and professional ethics.

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree (B.S.Ed.) with a major in health and physical education prepares students to teach health and physical education from prekindergarten through 12th grade (P-12). Upon successful completion of the degree program and posting a passing score on the GACE Content Assessment in the area of health and physical education, and passing edTPA, students are eligible for the T-4 (induction) certificate from the State of Georgia. Both the health and physical education undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC).

If you wish to become a health and physical education teacher and have a positive impact on our youth’s health and fitness, you have found the right major. Here, we understand the importance of fitness participation at a young age, and we want to prepare you to not only teach, but encourage young students to stay active. Our Health and Physical Education Certificate program incorporates hands-on learning and diverse field experiences in elementary, middle, and secondary school settings to develop your skills and build a strong pedagogical foundation. In addition to gaining hands-on experience, you’ll also gain knowledge of technologies such as heart rate monitors, pedometers, fitness trackers, and various forms of software applicable to public school health and physical education instruction. Upon graduation, you will have a sound basis of theory, field experience, and be prepared to guide students toward a life full of health and well-being.

The certification only option in health and physical education is designed for those individuals who currently hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution and are seeking to become certified to teach health and physical education in the state of Georgia. Individuals considering this option must meet all the requirements for admission to the Teacher Education program in the College of Education and Human Services at Valdosta State University. If the student qualifies for admission Valdosta State University, he/she should complete a "Certification Evaluation" request, which may be accessed by the link located in the Program Resources section of this page. The completed form and student transcripts will be evaluated by the certification specialist in the Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education. A fee of $35 (payable in the Field Placement Office) is charged for the evaluation and development of individualized plan.

The minor in Health and Physical Education is designed to develop your attitudes and behaviors by focusing on current health issues and strategies. It is open to students from any major who are interested in health, physical education, fitness, and wellness. Our program provides coursework that you can utilize to improve your personal health and physical fitness in conjunction with career preparation. It is not designed to meet requirements for Georgia public school certification in health and physical education.

Combining a content-rich Bachelor of Arts degree with a clinical based Bachelor of Science in Education degree equips graduates with knowledge of necessary historical content as well as extensive experience teaching that material in local schools under the guidance of professional educators.

The MFT program addresses the interpersonal and social context of mental health and emotional problems. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to access and intervene in the interactions among people. It prepares students to use an active, positive approach to therapy that will help individuals and their families build upon their strengths, improve communication, and develop solutions to their problems.

Middle grades teachers educate children in the 4^th through 8^th grade, giving them a solid foundation to continue their studies in high school, instilling them with a love of learning, and helping them gain confidence as they grow into teenagers and young adults. Middle grades education majors pursuing a bachelor’s degree choose two concentrations from the areas of language arts, mathematics, science or social studies and engage in an extensive amount of hands-on teaching. Upon graduation, students are prepared to teach in a number of age-appropriate disciplines within the secondary school system. Several options are available for students pursuing advanced degrees in the discipline.

Middle grades teachers educate children in the 4th through 8th grade, giving them a solid foundation to continue their studies in high school, instilling them with a love of learning, and helping them gain confidence as they grow into teenagers and young adults. Middle grades education majors pursuing a bachelor’s degree choose two concentrations from the areas of language arts, mathematics, science, reading or social studies and engage in an extensive amount of hands-on teaching. Upon graduation, students are prepared to teach in a number of age-appropriate disciplines within the secondary school system. Several options are available for students pursuing advanced degrees in the discipline.

Social workers help individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities restore and enhance their capacity for social functioning. Social Workers care about their fellow citizens, want to help people improve their situations and strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The social work program at Valdosta State University prepares students for clinical practice and licensure in social work and produces graduates who are qualified to practice with diverse populations in multiple settings.

The Department of Middle, Secondary, Reading, and Deaf Education offers a Bachelor of Science in Special Education-Deaf and Hard of Hearing (B.S.Ed) program of study at the undergraduate level that prepares pre-service teachers to work with students who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. By providing students with content knowledge and pedagogical skills, students graduate prepared to meet the diverse needs of this unique student population. This pre-professional degree (P – 12) is designed to provide graduates with competency in American Sign Language (ASL), as measured by an Intermediate rating or above on the Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI). This equips graduates with the skill set needed to communicate with students enrolled in schools for the deaf, as well as those served in resource rooms and general education settings.  During the last semester of their senior year students apply to the Graduate School for admission in the Master of Education-Deaf and Hard of Hearing (M. Ed. - 5 year) program.  This 5-year program culminates with a M.Ed. student who successfully completes the M.Ed. are recommend to PSC for certification.

The Department of Middle, Secondary, Reading & Deaf Education offers a 5th year Master of Education (M.Ed.) program for students graduating from the VSU Undergraduate Program of the same name. Valdosta State University students with B.S.Ed. pre-professional degree in deaf and hard-of-hearing have the option to do a fifth year master’s program to earn initial certification. Majors in special education/deaf education demonstrate content knowledge through passing the state required content assessment in deaf education. Students in this graduate program will demonstrate skills in assessment, instructional strategies, use of technology and monitoring/ modifying instruction during observed teaching episodes evaluated by a university supervisor and P-12 mentor teacher

Workforce educators teach students of all ages the skills necessary to succeed in technical fields and other areas that require specific knowledge. Most students seeking a degree in workforce education and development have extensive career experience in their chosen fields. Students in the workforce education and development program at Valdosta State University can pursue one of four options in their quest to become professional educators: Workforce Training and Development, Secondary Career-Technical Education, Technical Leadership, or Human Resource Development.