College of Education

Alternative Certification

INITIAL TEACHER CERTIFICATION AT THE GRADUATE LEVEL
Alternative teacher certification programs are designed for individuals who do not currently hold a certification and also for individuals who hold a non-renewable (NR) teacher certification. These programs' teaching-internship options are within a sixty mile radius of Georgia Southern. A bachelor's degree is required for admission into an alternative teacher certification program, and, in most cases, it must be in a discipline related to the teaching field. Two pathways are offered at Georgia Southern:

I. Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
The student earns a master's degree and T-5 certification in a Secondary Education teaching field, Middle Grades Education, Special Education, or Spanish Education.
Upon employment by a public school system, this graduate will qualify for pay at the T-5 level.
See full details and related links on the MAT web page.

II. Non-degree Initial Teacher Certification Programs
The non-degree program option is designed for those who do not wish to pursue a master's degree.
Certification awarded will be at the T-4 level.
See additional details below.

INITAL CERTIFICATION IN NON-TEACHING FIELDS
Initial Certification in non-teaching fields such as Counselor Education, Educational Leadership, and Instructional Technology require completion of the M.Ed. master's degree; School Psychology requires completion of the Ed.S. degree. Initial certification in Counselor Education and School Psychology cannot be completed as non-degree study. To pursue certification in Educational Leadership as a non-degree student, the applicant must possess at entry an education specialist's degree in any field and meet all admission criteria for the Education Specialist in Educational Leadership program. To pursue certification in Instructional Technology as a non-degree student, the applicant must possess a master's degree at entry and meet all other admission criteria for the Master of Education in Instructional Technology program.

Additional Details:

I. Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) - see the MAT web page.

II. Non-Degree Initial Teacher Certification Programs are an option for those who do not wish to pursue a master's degree. Upon employment by a public school system, this graduate will qualify for pay at the T-4 level.

Non-degree initial certification students may apply for admission as a Non-degree Teaching/Service/Leadership student (GRE or MAT test scores are not required for this admission status).

For Early Childhood Education, Health and Physical Education, and Music Education, the non-degree programs mirror undergraduate teacher preparation programs and students will enroll with post-baccalaureate admission. Non-degree initial certification students must meet all TEP admission requirements. A staff advisor assists non-degree certification students in course selection which typically includes undergraduate courses.

For middle grades education, special education, and the secondary and P-12 teaching fields, the student enrolls with graduate admission status for the M.A.T. degree program and follows the appropriate M.A.T. track through the course work required for initial certification and the completion of the Supervised Internship/Student Teaching experience. The student then applies for Initial Teacher (T-4) Certification without completing the additional coursework required for the M.A.T. master's degree. (Note: No master's degree is earned since all M.A.T. requirements are not completed.) These candidates must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP) by the end of Step One, prior to enrolling in Step Two of the M.A.T. program of study. A faculty advisor assists non-degree certification students in the M.A.T. program, with course selection.

Note: For non-degree candidates who seek to enter the M.A.T. program, GRE or MAT test scores must be submitted and admission granted into the M.A.T. degree program before enrolling in Step Two. Any M.A.T. program application submitted by a candidate who is enrolled under non-degree status will not be considered for admission once the candidate enrolls in Step Two courses.

For steps to enter a non-degree initial teacher certification program follow the:
M.A.T. & Non-degree Graduate Alternative Certification, TEP Admission and Retention Checksheet

For questions, please contact Mrs. Chris Thompson by email or at 912-478-5383.