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.

The Ed.S. in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education is a rigorous academic program of 27 semester hours of fully online course work. Graduates of the program who meet all criteria may be eligible for upgrade to T-6 certification in the state of Georgia or reciprocal states.

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 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:

Art	Architectural Drawing / Design	Behavioral Sciences
Business Ed.	Curriculum & Instruction	Elementary Education
English	ESOL	Gifted
Health & Physical ED	History	Instructional Technology
Mathematics	Media specialist	Middle Grades Fields
Music	Political Science	Reading
Science	Spanish	SP ED Adapted Curriculum
SP ED General Curriculum	Speech	Trade and Industrial Fields

 

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 Educational Specialist’s Degree in Educational Leadership program is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related clinical experiences leading to a Tier II Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership.  The Education Specialist’s Degree program incorporates clinical practice linking theoretical and philosophical frameworks of educational leadership to actual practice.  Through the combination of course work and performance-based activities, candidates will be able to develop the necessary competencies to become an educational leader.

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).

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

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).

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 Ed.S. in Instructional Technology with a P-12 Technology Applications concentration offers an exciting and practical way to enhance the learning environment of the students with whom you work. 

The program is

• Delivered completely online,
• Takes only 30 semester-hours, and
• Offers three guided elective courses, which you choose in conjunction with advisors. Elective concentrations include online teaching, multimedia, technology leadership, adult education, and more.
  

During the program, ongoing application of the instructional design knowledge you gain, and implementation of the new technology tools you learn will be central. Successful completion of the degree and associated GACE exam leads to a GaPSC service certificate at level 6 in Instructional Technology. Aligned to ISTE Coach’s NETS and the GA PSC Instructional Technology standards, our up-to-date program provides valuable opportunities for students to prepare to be technology coaches, coordinators, or instructional technologists in public schools. One recent graduate commented, “I thrive on feedback. I seek it out, and the design of this program is wonderful for that. I have learned so much from working with my classmates in these classes. I also intend to continue my relationships with these people.”

The Ed.S. in Instructional Technology that leads to the P-12 Instructional Technology Certification can result in an add-on School Library Media Certification is a 36-hour program of study that helps prepare you to successfully pass the Media Specialist GACE. It is an inventive program of study that qualifies students to take the Media Specialist GACE and apply for certification in School Library Media at the level of certification they bring to the program. A level upgrade to Level 6 is, however a potential result of successful completion of the program because of the instructional technology core of the program that leads to certification in Instructional Technology. Coursework offers continuous opportunities to apply new technology tools in the learning environment in which you work, while at the same time developing the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective School Library Media Specialist. Successful completion of the degree and Instructional Technology GACE makes graduates eligible for a Level 6 service certificate in IT. Come join the online learners at Valdosta State and take advantage of the qualified team of instructors who are committed to making your learning experience a practical and valuable one.

The Ed.S. in Instructional Technology with a Technology Applications concentration for non-P12-school-based professionals offers an interactive, online educational model designed to work around busy schedules in a variety of fields. Our commitment to guide students to practically apply the tenets of IT theories, to integrate research and practice in the field, and to develop competency in project management, instructional design, and technology tools opens the opportunity for graduates to be technology coaches, coordinators, or instructional technologists in a variety of contexts: business, industry, government, the military, health fields, and higher education. Join us online at VSU and be among those who can say, “The skills I developed in evaluating technology in this program are utilized continuously in my career. I am seen as a leader in the use of our technology resources.”

The doctoral program in leadership (Ed.D.) develops capable, ethical, and diverse leaders who wish to effectively lead 21st century educational institutions and other organizations. This program connects the knowledge and inquiry skills developed in the core curriculum and research courses to the increasingly complex world of restructuring and organizational improvement. Students work with their academic advisor to select a cognate area that best fits their professional and academic goals. Cognates include: Organizational Leadership, Curriculum Leadership, Technology Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, and Special Education Leadership.

Program of Study

• Ed.D. Degree in Leadership Program of Study

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.

Professionals in the field of office administration and technology are responsible for financial planning, billing, record keeping, personnel, physical distribution and logistics within an organization. They also plan work assignments for staff, supervise staff, request new office equipment and make repairs on existing equipment. The office administration and technology program at Valdosta State University prepares students for administrative, supportive and supervisory positions in business or industrial settings, professional offices, public institutions, and government agencies.

The mission of the Valdosta State University School Counseling Program is to educate professionals who will be leaders in the school environment and who accept responsibility for removing barriers and offering equal access to services for all students.  The main emphasis of the School Counseling Program is to train school counselors who function as leaders utilizing data, advocacy, collaboration and consultation to provide academic, career, and personal/social counseling and services to assist students from diverse backgrounds in achieving high levels of academic success.

Effective for students starting the EdS in School Counseling in Fall 2021, the degree requires 30 hours. Your advisor will provide you with a program of study that reflects this change.

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Special Education is designed for practicing special educators who hold a master's degree in special education (or related field such as speech language pathology, deaf education, vocational rehabilitation, or adapted physical education) who wish to advance their professional skills in special education. Information and skills in special education acquired and developed at the undergraduate and master’s level in special education are specifically designed for and focused on the provision of services. The Ed.S., however, focuses on knowledge and skills necessary for leadership roles and advanced teaching positions in special education.

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 Teacher Leadership Ed.S. Degree is an advanced degree that prepares educators to meet the GaPSC Teacher Leadership standards providing a foundation for effective collaboration with students, parents, and colleagues. These standards are related to curriculum and instruction, assessment, a school culture that fosters excellence in teaching and learning, modeling best practices in instruction, working with others to design assessments, and using data to work with colleagues in collaborative efforts to improve instruction for all students. By completing this online degree and passing the appropriate Georgia content assessment, candidates will be eligible for the new Teacher Leadership (level 6) certification

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.