Initial Certification
Undergraduate: Initial Teacher Certification
The Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) degree programs lead to initial teacher certification. The College of Education offers B.S.Ed. programs in early childhood education (grades P-5); middle grades education (grades 4-8); special education (P-12); and the P-12 teaching field in health and physical education
FOR MORE INFO: Please visit the Department of Teaching & Learning website.
Graduate: Initial Teacher Certification
At the graduate level, teacher certification programs (referred to as alternative certification programs) are designed for individuals who do not currently hold certification and also for individuals who hold a non-renewable (NR) teacher certification. The teaching-internship options for these programs 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:
- Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
The student earns a master's degree and T-5 certification. Upon employment by a public school system, this graduate will qualify for pay at the T-5 level. - 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.
The M.A.T. and non-degree options are available for those in Middle Grades Education, Special Education, and the Secondary and P-12 education fields of biology, business, chemistry, economics, English, family and consumer sciences, history, geography, mathematics, physics, political science, and Spanish. (Those who hold a bachelor’s degree and are interested in Early Childhood Education, Health and Physical Education, or Music Education certification must complete program requirements at the undergraduate level, rather than at the graduate-level.)
For M.A.T. and all non-degree program options, students must have their transcripts evaluated by Georgia Southern University’s Certification Officer and they must meet all Teacher Education Program (TEP) admission and retention requirements, including an overall GPA of 2.50 or higher on all college course work attempted. If a graduate MAT degree is sought, all admission requirements for the graduate program must also be met and admission granted prior to entering Step Two of the MAT program.
Initial Certification in Non-Teaching Fields
Initial Certification in non-teaching fields such as Counselor Education and Instructional Technology require completion of the M.Ed. master's degree; Educational Leadership and School Psychology require 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.
FOR MORE INFO: Please visit the Department of Leadership, Technology and Human Development website.