The Master 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. 

For more information, please visit our program page. 

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.

Criminal justice is a rapidly expanding field of academic study. Many governmental agencies are requiring advanced degrees for those seeking administrative and managerial positions. The Master’s Degree is designed to broaden the perspectives of criminal justice practitioners, to equip practitioners with advanced knowledge and administrative skills, and to prepare students with further graduate work and scholarship. Graduates are provided the necessary skills to succeed in the governmental agencies and private sectors.

Applications for the MS degree are accepted during the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters.

The field of curriculum and instruction involves improving curriculum and academic achievement in schools, enhancing teaching strategies and bringing creativity into classrooms. The curriculum and instruction program at Valdosta State University provides opportunities for experienced practitioners in a variety of instructional fields to further study curricular and instructional issues facing schools, school systems, higher education establishments and other educational agencies.

Through the combination of course work and field experiences, candidates will be able to develop the necessary competencies to become an entry-level leader.  The primary goal of the Internship Experience in the Master’s Degree or Certification-Only (Tier 1) Educational Leadership program is to link the theoretical and philosophical frameworks of educational leadership to actual practice.  This is accomplished with field experiences included as a part of the candidate’s program of study and documented through the candidate’s Inventory of Leadership Experience (ILE).

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 Certification-Only Tier I Educational Leadership program is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related field experiences leading to a Tier I Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership. Candidates participating in the certification-only program may add the Tier I educational leadership certificate to an existing Level 5 Georgia certificate by completing the elements of this program not completed in another master’s program.

The Master of Education in Elementary Education is designed to build on the Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Candidates are expected to refine this base, developing abilities to deal with more of the intricate aspects of the teaching experience.

Whether you are seeking opportunities for professional development, certification advancement or an advance in salary, our rigorous program, housed in a premier regional university that also offers a traditional English MA in a regular bricks-and-mortar setting, will provide you with the training you seek in order to succeed professionally. The curriculum includes advanced courses in composition theory, rhetoric, grammar, second language learners, creative writing, and literature.  Our British, American and multicultural literature courses are intended to provide the kind of deeper content that leads to sophisticated teaching of familiar authors and works but also to the teaching of writers and texts that may be less well known.  Overall, because our curriculum covers every major subfield, we are able to offer a wide range of course offerings.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Education – English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The MAT in Education with a concentration in ESOL is a 36 semester hour, fifth-year program beyond the bachelor’s degree in which candidates may earn a master’s degree (MAT) and become eligible for initial teaching certification in English as a Second Language. This program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis. Graduates will also earn the English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement for Georgia certified teachers, speech and language pathologists, or school counselors.

The MAT is for candidate seeking initial certification only! Teachers with current certification in any subject matter are not suitable for this program.

The MAT in Education – ESOL can be completed on a fully online basis.

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Education – Foreign Language Education (FLED) (French or Spanish). The MAT in Education with a concentration in FLED is a 36 semester hour, fifth-year program beyond the bachelor’s degree in which candidates may earn a master’s degree (MAT) and become eligible for initial teaching certification in French or Spanish. Successful candidates may receive the ESOL endorsement for certified teachers. This program can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis.

The MAT is for candidate seeking initial certification only! Teachers with current certification in any subject matter are not suitable for this program.

The MAT in Education – FLED can be completed on a fully online basis. 

Valdosta State University’s College of Business Administration is a member of the Georgia WebMBA®. This program offers qualified and highly motivated students the opportunity to earn an accredited Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Convenient and affordable, the WebMBA® provides quality instruction in a Web-based virtual setting.

You will work with top business professors from five University System of Georgia institutions. VSU is among five schools listed in U.S. News & World Report's report of online MBAs offered by regionally and professionally accredited business schools. The program also is listed with Business Week Online, World Wide Learn, and geteducated, among others.

The Georgia WebMBA® includes a residential orientation course held during two days at an Atlanta area hotel.

Degree programs in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education prepare students for professional careers in health and physical education (teacher education). The Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) with a major in health and physical education prepares students to teach health and physical education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. This program gives students a solid foundation in health and physical education both in and out of the classroom. Students engage in invaluable fieldwork, interacting with public school children in a variety of grades and settings. Students have access to a number of technologies, including heart rate monitors, pedometers, LiveText, and various forms of software applicable to public school health and physical education instruction. The graduate teacher education program is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

The Master in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Healthcare Administration (HCAD) [MBA-HCAD] is a 100% distance-based business program designed for administrators in a changing health care environment. Attentive to the specific needs of participants, the program addresses academic and professional expectations of those currently employed in healthcare administration as well as students who seek new careers in the field.

The MBA-HCAD provides training in management, health information technology, healthcare finance, healthcare economics, quantitative methods, health operations management, health law/ethics, and strategic management. Its focus is on business and attaining the necessary skills on leadership to lead and manage people, resources, and services within a healthcare organization.

To further your career in higher education and/or student affairs, having a well-rounded understanding of how a university functions is imperative. Valdosta State University’s online Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership program provides you with an opportunity to apply what you’re experiencing in your practice to course work in higher education. The coursework provides a strong foundation in understanding higher education administration and governance, college student development and identity, assessment, research, finance and additional areas that can address your own desired competencies and outcomes.

Instructional Technology (IT) is a rapidly growing field of professional study and practice that values innovative use of technology and effective design for teaching and learning in the digital era. A master’s degree in this field prepares future instructional technology leaders and practitioners in diverse contexts: classrooms, school libraries, industry, and government.

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

The field of library and information science combines the disciplines of traditional library science and information technology to meet the needs of today’s ever-changing library systems. The Master of Library and Information Science program at Valdosta State University focuses on educating librarians for academic, public and special libraries in Georgia and beyond.

The M.Ed. in Middle Grades Math and Science is an advanced degree, offering in-service middle grades teachers the opportunity to pursue advanced training in their teaching fields. Current certification in Middle Grades Math and/or Science is required for admission to the degree program, in order for the candidate to be considered for a teaching certificate upgrade. The degree is awarded through the NCATE accredited Dewar College of Education & Human Services at Valdosta State University. Top graduate faculty from Valdosta State University and North Georgia College and State University teach the courses. This 12-course program can be completed in four consecutive semesters – about 16 months - with full-time enrollment. Courses are offered on a continuous basis, allowing for part-time enrollment. All course-work, including exams, is done online. No campus visits are required to complete the program.

The Certification-Only Performance Based 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.  Candidates participating in the certification-only program may add Tier II educational leadership certification to an existing Level 6 Georgia certificate by completing the elements of this program. Through the combination of course work and performance-based activities, candidates will develop the necessary competencies to become an educational leader. 

The DPA a practitioner-based terminal degree designed for those wanting to advance their careers in government, non-profits, or non-government organizations (NGOs). Coursework further enhances the essential leadership, management, communication, and problem-solving skills required in today’s professional environment.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree is a non-thesis program. Applicants for admission to the MPA program are considered for acceptance regardless of their undergraduate degree area. This program is designed to allow in-service professionals the opportunity to meet the degree requirements in a swift, convenient manner. The MPA is offered in three concentrations: Public Sector Management, Public Sector Human Resource Management, and Public Policy. The Public Sector Management and Public Policy concentrations are offered fully online, while the Public Sector Human Resource Management is offered in a traditional setting at the Moody Air Force Base Campus.

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 Library Media Certification Only program offers an engaging and flexible educational model designed to fit the busy schedules of working educational professionals seeking certification in library media. Our program provides practical opportunities for students to practice the standards of the American Association of School Librarians; and to design, develop, utilize, manage, and evaluate instructional technology. You will enjoy learning from our quality faculty whose real-world experience and knowledge have been acquired through many years learning, researching, and working in instructional technology and school library media.

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.

This online graduate program is an initial certification program for teachers who are employed in P-12 classrooms serving students with significant disabilities. The program focuses on increasing teachers’ knowledge and skills in implementing evidence-based interventions to positively impact the learning and behavior of their P-12 learners.

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. This is an online program.

This online graduate program is an initial certification program for teachers who are employed in P-12 classrooms serving students with mild to moderate disabilities. The program focuses on increasing teachers’ knowledge and skills in implementing evidence-based interventions to positively impact the learning and behavior of their P-12 learners.

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