The Certificate in Online Teaching program is designed to meet the needs of instructors in many different educational environments.  The curriculum is a competence-based, professional development program designed for individuals who teach in online environments outside the P-12 educational setting.  This program is not for initial certification. Educators teaching in higher education and training and development professionals in the private or public sectors will gain knowledge and skills for instructional planning, design, and delivery. Experiential learning, application of knowledge, and the enhancement of professionalism are vital components of each class

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.

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. with a major in Curriculum and Instruction and a concentration in learning and development offers an engaging and flexible educational model designed for those who are currently working, or who wish to work, in corporate or higher education learning environments (If you are a P-12 Georgia educator seeking an action to your Georgia certificate, please review our GaPSC approved program). Our innovative program provides practical opportunities for students to relate theoretical foundations to curricular and instructional issues faced in real-world settings. 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. We have also integrated strategically designed elective pathways that could lead to certificates that increase your personal equity and marketability. Elective pathways include:

• Higher education
• Certificate in Online Teaching
• Certificate in Public Sector Human Resource Management
• Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Administration

Our program delivery includes online and hybrid options.

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 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. Delivered completely online, the program calls for ongoing application of the instructional design knowledge you will gain, as well as the implementation of the new technology tools with which you will develop skills. Successful completion of the degree and associated GACE exam leads to a GaPSC service certificate at the 6th level 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 Library Media Certification by adding 9 hours to the 30-hour program of study, and successfully passing 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 Library Media at the level of certification they bring to the program. 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 Mathematics Endorsement Program for K-5 Teachers is a graduate level online competency-based program designed to strengthen and enhance the content knowledge and pedagogical skills of individuals teaching mathematics in grades K-5. In this project-based program, candidates demonstrate their competence by completing performance-based assessments. Upon mastery of all program-associated competencies, candidates certified in Georgia will be eligible to add the K-5 Mathematics Endorsement to their professional certificate.

The program requires an authentic residency in which candidates further develop their knowledge and skills through real applications in actual elementary classroom settings. These authentic experiences shall occur in candidates’ assigned classrooms, as well as in settings other than candidates’ assigned classrooms to ensure experiences with diverse students and with students in multiple grade level bands.

The identified competencies are organized into three courses (ELED 6010, ELED 6020, and ELED 6030). Each course focuses on a unique area of mathematics (Numbers and Number Systems, Measurement and Geometry, and Algebra, Patterns, Data Analysis and Probability) as well as interdisciplinary mathematics perspectives as defined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards at the K-8 level.  The courses may be taken in any sequence to allow the candidate to align what is being taught in their own classrooms with the content of the course. For more information on certification requirements for this program please contact, Crystal Marshall at cmarshall@valdosta.edu.

The Science Endorsement Program for K-5 Teachers is a graduate level online competency-based program designed to strengthen and enhance the content knowledge and pedagogical skills of individuals teaching science in grades K-5. In this project-based program, candidates demonstrate their competence by completing performance-based assessments. Upon mastery of all program-associated competencies, candidates certified in Georgia will be eligible to add the K-5 Science Endorsement to their professional certificate.

This program requires an authentic residency in which candidates further develop their knowledge and skills through real applications in actual elementary classroom settings. These authentic experiences shall occur in candidates’ assigned classrooms, as well as in settings other than candidates’ assigned classrooms to ensure experiences with diverse students and with students in multiple grade level bands.

The identified competencies are organized into three courses (ELED 6110, ELED 6120, and ELED 6130). Each course focuses on a unique area of elementary science (life, physical, and earth/space) as well as interdisciplinary science perspectives as defined by the National Science Education Standards at the K-8 level. The courses may be taken in any sequence to allow the candidate to align what is being taught in their own classrooms with the content of the course. For more information on certification requirements for this program please contact, Crystal Marshall at cmarshall@valdosta.edu.

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

The Reading Endorsement is an online program specifically for PreK-12 classroom teachers wishing to add expertise to their current State of Georgia Teacher Certification. The endorsement is designed to help meet the literacy needs of the students, regardless of content area. The program meets the competencies required by the Professional Standards Commission’s Georgia Reading Endorsement. Emphases include understanding readers and the reading process, linking assessment and instruction, and exploring specific instructional strategies that can be applied in individual classroom contexts.

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 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