The VSU ESOL Endorsement is a fully online, three-course sequence, endorsement for certified teachers in Georgia. The endorsement curriculum prepares students to respond to the growing number of English language learners in regular content classrooms. The ESOL endorsement is an asset to professionals in all teaching fields. The Endorsement may be completed independently and can be integrated into a graduate program of study for degree-seeking students.

The Gifted In-Field Endorsement enables educators to provide "direct instruction" only in the grade levels and fields of their base certificates. Individuals with this endorsement may serve as a resource teacher for "indirect services" for gifted education in any content area or grade level P-12. Successful completion of the Endorsement for the Talented and Gifted courses leads to the Gifted In-Field Endorsement from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC)

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 Online Teaching Endorsement program prepares candidates to plan, design, and deliver instruction in online environments for learners in P-12 settings. The endorsement is approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GPSC) and is available for candidates who already hold a valid teaching certificate. The add-on endorsement is based on successful completion of three courses, successful completion of a field-based practicum, and evidence of accomplishment of all items on an Online Teaching Endorsement Competency Checklist.

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.