About the College of Education
Georgia Southern University College of Education is the premier and primary educator of teachers in Southeast Georgia, and Eagle Educators are known throughout the state and nation for their achievements and dedication to the field of education. The College of Education offers students multiple program opportunities spanning all three Georgia Southern locations and online. Programs offered by the COE prepare future teachers, school psychologists, counselors, school library media specialists, instructional technologists, researchers and leaders through intensive field experiences, cutting-edge technology and research-based instruction. With more than 100 faculty members who are experts in the field, students learn in an environment exemplified by a free exchange of ideas, high academic expectations, and individual responsibility for academic achievement.
Program options include seven undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Education majors preparing students for initial teacher certification. At the graduate level, the College offers the Master of Arts in Teaching degree with six available concentrations, 12 master of education degrees, four education specialist degrees, and two doctoral degrees. The College also offers four certificate opportunities and eight graduate-level programs for educators seeking to add an endorsement to their certification.
Georgia Southern University has a strong reputation for producing successful educators after graduation. With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world experience, graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce. According to the Georgia Department of Education, “90% of BSED and MAT graduates between 2018-2021 are still employed as teachers in a public Georgia school district,” and “90% of BSED/MAT Elementary graduates, 92% of BSED/MAT graduates, and 91% of BSED/MAT Special Education graduates are still employed as teachers in a public Georgia school district” (source, GaDOE).
The success of the College’s initial preparation and advanced degree programs is linked to its extensive partnerships with regional schools, educational and community agencies, and other units of Georgia Southern University. These collaborations provide vital experiences and benefits to all involved. Whether a K-12 school utilizing the expertise of a COE faculty member or a counseling or school psychology graduate student working with an experienced professional in the field, partnerships are a fundamental role of the College.
For a full listing of programs please visit our COE Education Degree Programs web page.
Program Directors/Coordinators and Department Chairs
Department of Curriculum Foundations & Reading |
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Department Chair | Kent Rittschof |
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Graduate Programs | Concentration/ | Program Director/ |
| Curriculum Studies (Ed.D.) | Statesboro Campus | John Weaver Program Director |
| Evaluation, Assessment, Research, and Learning (M.Ed.) | Online | Antonio Gutierrez de Blume Co-Program Director Cordelia Zinskie Co-Program Director |
| Reading Education (Ed.S., M.Ed., & Endorsement) | Online | Alma Stevenson Program Director |
| Applied Research and Evaluation (Graduate Certificate) | Online | Antonio Gutierrez de Blume Co-Program Director Cordelia Zinskie Co-Program Director |
Department of Elementary and Special Education |
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Interim Department Chair | Greg Chamblee |
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Graduate Programs | Concentration/ | Director/ |
| Elementary Education (M.Ed.) | Statesboro Campus | Katie Brkich Program Director |
| Special Education (M.Ed.) | Mild Disabilities, Moderate-Severe Disabilities | Stephanie Devine Co-Program Director Kathryn Haughney Co-Program Director |
| Curriculum & Instruction-Accomplished Teaching (M.Ed.) | Online | Aslihan Unal Program Director |
| Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) | Elementary Education-Online | Katherine "Ariel" Cornett Co-Program Director Jarvais Jackson Co-Program Director |
| Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) | Special Education-Online | Eric Landers Co-Program Director Barbara Serianni Co-Program Director |
| Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (Endorsement) | (Online) | Kymberly Harris Program Director |
Undergraduate Programs | ||
| Elementary Education (B.S.Ed) | Multi-Campus | Chianti Grant-Culver Co-Program Director Heather Huling Co-Program Director |
| Dual Certification Elementary Education & Special Education (B.S.Ed.) | Statesboro Campus | Cynthia Massey Program Director |
| Special Education (B.S.Ed.) | Statesboro Campus | Kymberly Harris Program Director |
Department of Leadership, Technology and Human Development |
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Interim Department Chairs | Amee Adkins |
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Graduate Programs | Concentration/ | Director/ |
| Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) | Statesboro Campus | Elise Cain Program Director |
| School Psychology (Ed.S.) | Statesboro Campus | Terry Diamanduros Program Director |
| Counselor Education (M.Ed.) | Statesboro Campus | Richard Cleveland Program Director |
| Counselor Education (M.Ed.) | School Counseling | Richard Cleveland Program Coordinator |
| Counselor Education (M.Ed.) | Clinical Mental Health Coordinator | Pam Wells Program Coordinator |
| Educational Leadership (M.Ed., & Tier 1 Certificate) | Online | Ellen Whitford Program Director |
| Higher Education Administration (M.Ed.) | Statesboro Campus (Hybrid) or Online | Daniel Calhoun Program Director |
| Instructional Technology (Ed.S., M.Ed., Graduate Certificate & ITEC Minor) | Online | Mete Akcaoglu Program Director |
| School Library Media (Graduate Certificate) | Online | Mete Akcaoglu Program Director |
| Online Teaching and Learning (Endorsement) | Online | Mete Akcaoglu Program Director |
| Teacher Leadership (Endorsement) | Online | Ellen Whitford Program Director |
Department of Middle Grades & Secondary Education |
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Department Chair | Amee Adkins |
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Concentration/ | Director/ |
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| Teaching and Learning (P-12) (Ed.S.) | Online | Lina Soares Program Director |
| Middle Grades Education (M.Ed.) | Online | Shelli Casler-Failing Program Director |
| Secondary Education (M.Ed.) | Online | Shelli Casler-Failing Program Director |
| Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (M.Ed.) | Online | Alex Reyes Program Director |
| Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) | Health and Physical Education (P-12) Online | Tony Pritchard Program Director |
| Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) | Middle Grades Education Online | Heather Scott Program Director |
| Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) | Secondary Education Online | Heather Scott Program Director |
| Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) | Spanish Education (P-12) Statesboro Campus | Angela Pinilla-Herrera Interim Program Director |
| English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Education (Endorsement) Undergraduate and Graduate Level | Online (Graduate Level) Statesboro (Undergraduate Level) | Alex Reyes Program Director |
| Gifted In-Field (Endorsement) Undergraduate and Graduate Level | Online | Lina Soares Program Director |
| Teacher Support and Coaching (Endorsement) | Online | Regina McCurdy Program Director |
Undergraduate Programs | ||
| Health and Physical Education (B.S.Ed.) | Statesboro | Starla McCullom Program Director |
| Middle Grades Education (B.S.Ed.) | Statesboro Campus | Amanda Wall Program Director |
| Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.) | Armstrong and Statesboro Campus | Elizabeth Barrow Program Director |
COE Partner Programs |
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Degree | Concentration/ | Program Director/ |
| Art Education B.S. | Armstrong Campus | Jeff Garland Program Contact |
| Human Development and Family Science B.S. Concentration in Birth Through Kindergarten | Armstrong Campus | Tameka Ardrey Program Director |
| Music Education B.M. | Statesboro Campus | David Langley Program Contact |
COE Board of Advisors
The College of Education Board of Advisors is advisory to the College’s dean providing advice, guidance and support for the development of high quality programs in the College. The Board also assists in promoting a professional image and good relations with the larger community and development of effective collaboration with that community. The COE Board of Advisors meets biannually.
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Dr. Joseph C., “Jody” Barrow-Chair 2023-2024 | Deputy Director for the Georgia School Superintendent Association (GSSA) |
| Mrs. Dayle Burns | Retired Educator in Effingham County and wife of State Representative and House Speaker, Jon Burns |
| Ms. LeeAnne Cowart | Member State Board of Education |
| Mrs. London Cowart | Teacher Librarian/Media Specialist at Stevens Creek Elementary Columbia County Schools, GA |
| Dr. Genie Fulcher | Nursing Professor, Adult Education advocate and a member of the inaugural Curriculum Studies EDD cohort at Georgia Southern University |
| Mrs. Sheila Hoynes | Retired Educator |
| Dr. Terry Oatts | Current Superintendent of Rockdale County Schools |
| Mr. Eddie Pollard | Former Headmaster, Flint River Academy and retired principal of Fayette County Schools |
| Mr. Mike Royal | Past Chairman and current member of the State Board of Education |
| Ms. Rebeccah Phillips | Teacher, Bethune Middle School |
| Ms. Chris Smith Pye | Organizational and Employee Specialist to School Systems and Corporations |
| Mr. Jeff Shattuck | Assistant Principal at Gordon Central High School |
| Mr. Jerry Snider | Attorney, Parallon Business Performance Group |
| Ms. Melodie Wall | Curriculum Coordinator, Effingham County Schools |
Updated membership 3/8/2023
Wall of Honor
The College of Education’s Wall of Honor is a way for you to recognize and honor persons or groups for their contributions to the education profession. Teachers, professors, school leaders, businesses and community groups — they all have a place on our Wall of Honor. Help us grow the Wall of Honor Tree by adding a leaf through a gift of $1,200 or by adding a branch or foundation stone through a larger gift. Your gift to the College of Education at Georgia Southern University will be forever recognized on the Wall of Honor.
For more information please contact:
David Cutler
PO Box 8013
Statesboro, GA 30460
912-478-8527 – Office
dcutler@georgiasouthern.edu
Contact Information
Armstrong Campus:
104 University Drive, Office #297
Savannah, GA 31419
912-344-2797
Statesboro Campus:
275 C.O.E. Drive
P.O. Box 8013
Statesboro, Georgia 30460
912-478-5648
Fax: (912) 478-5093
COE Administrative Email: educdean@georgiasouthern.edu
COE Publications and News
- Eagle Educator
- College of Education’s annual magazine
Eagle Educator
Eagle Educator is a magazine published annually by the College of Education.
Spring 2019
Eagle Educator Archives
- Southern Educator
- College of Education’s newsletter
- National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Journal (NYAR Journal)
- An open-access, peer-reviewed online journal that publishes educational articles on how to reduce harmful risk conditions and promote the well-being of all youth, especially vulnerable youth in schools, families, and communities. The journal is a publication of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University and is sponsored by the National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference Savannah.
- Research Briefs
- Recent News
Connect with us on Social Media
Last updated: 4/5/2024