Teaching Programs in Georgia
Higher education goes way back in Georgia. In fact, the University of Georgia is one of the oldest colleges in the U.S. But, much has changed in the nearly century-and-a-half since Georgia got its first university.
Today, you can get a degree without stepping foot on a Georgia campus. This is true of many different academic fields, including teaching. Whether you want an undergraduate or graduate degree, the popular programs listed below enable you to complete the necessary coursework at home while still affording you opportunities to get valuable student teaching experience.
So, check out this list, determine which of these schools best fit your needs, and get started on your path to becoming a qualified teacher!
Online Teaching Degrees in Georgia
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online teaching degrees in Georgia:
- Valdosta State University
- Georgia Southwestern University
- University of Georgia
- Georgia Southern University
- Franklin University
- National University
- American Public University
- Southern New Hampshire University
Valdosta State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Education
At Valdosta State University, you can enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Education program focusing on elementary education. Not only does this program culminate with an undergraduate degree, but it also prepares you to apply for certification in Georgia to teach children in preschool through the fifth grade.
The program starts as most undergraduate degrees do – with a core curriculum of general liberal arts coursework. In this case, the Valdosta State Core Curriculum includes 60 credits of coursework spanning areas like Mathematics and Quantitative Skills, Political Science and U.S. History, and Communication in Writing. Likewise, you must complete courses in the following areas:
- Ethical Reasoning
- Information Literacy
- Intercultural Competence
- Technology
- Natural Sciences
Generally speaking, these classes are introductory, lower-division studies offering a very broad scope of study. However, you have the opportunity to select which courses you take to satisfy the requirements above, so if an area is of interest to you, you might take more challenging courses.
The other 60 credits needed to graduate come within the major. You’ll begin by taking basic education classes like Introduction to Developmentally Appropriate Practice. This course helps you understand how to meet your students where they’re at. In other words, you’ll learn how to devise lessons that take your students’ age, individual differences, and learning environments into account.
Along with that, you must take a Differentiated Instruction course. The purpose of differentiated instruction is to deliver your lessons in a way that adjusts the content and process of the lesson to meet individual students’ needs. You’ll also learn how to differentiate assessments to give all students the opportunity to demonstrate learning in ways that best fit their learner profile.
Many of the classes you’ll take within the major focus on content-area learning. For example, you’ll take these subject-specific classes:
- Teaching Math Methods for Elementary Education
- Teaching Elementary Science Methods
- Methods for Multicultural Education
- Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary Classroom
- Literacy Assessing and Instruction
Classroom management is another primary focus of this degree. The required Social Emotional Learning and Classroom Management class offers a look at the foundations of social and emotional development and the strategies you can use to help your student manage their emotions in class. Likewise, you’ll develop an understanding of age-appropriate classroom management techniques that enable you to create a calm, engaging, and productive classroom environment for all of your students.
You are also required to take courses on teaching, learning, and assessments. For example, the Planning for Effective Teaching and Learning course explores the essential principles of instructional design so you understand the relationship between content standards, objectives of instruction, and lesson planning.
Furthermore, the Assessment to Promote Student Learning class offers an introduction to effective assessment strategies that are valid, reliable, and data-driven. Naturally, you’ll also learn how to devise assessments that measure student mastery effectively as well.
This degree requires you to complete a practicum experience and a student teaching placement as well. The practicum offers a first look at the teaching profession, with many opportunities to observe mentor teachers at work. There are also debriefing sessions after each observational period, so you can ask questions and get deeper insights regarding what you observe in your mentor teacher’s classroom.
The student teaching experience lasts nearly a full semester. Rather than being observational like the practicum, you’ll gradually take over teaching duties and be responsible for day-to-day activities in the classroom. Your placement will be determined based on your grade-level interest. Valdosta State will also work with you to find an appropriate placement near where you live.
The requirements for admission are as follows:
- Have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official ACT or SAT scores (if your high school GPA is 3.1 or lower). If your GPA is 3.2 or higher, test scores are not required.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
Georgia Southwestern University
Online Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Georgia Southwestern University prepares you to be a teacher of students in pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade. This unique program is specifically designed for current paraprofessionals and other educators who want to gain certification to work as a licensed teacher.
This program is cohort-based, meaning you’ll progress through the coursework with the same classmates until you graduate. All coursework is done online, of course, but you’ll have opportunities to “meet” and work together in the online classroom environment.
You must complete 122 credits to graduate with this degree. The first 60 credits are general courses similar to those outlined earlier. Georgia Southwestern requires you to complete basic classes in the following areas:
- English
- Mathematics
- Art, Music, or Theater
- Political Science, History, and Economics
- Physical Education
These general requirements also include introductory studies in education. For example, you’ll take a Life/Earth Science for Teachers class that gives you a basic understanding of the natural sciences at a level that enables you to teach science to elementary-aged students. You’ll also take Physical Science for Teachers, Numbers and Operations for Teachers, and Critical and Continuing Issues in Education as part of this segment of general education coursework.
Additional requirements include classes on the U.S. Constitution, Georgia History, and the Georgia Constitution. You’ll also take a course called Exploring Sociocultural Perspectives in Education, which gives you insights into the influences of students’ social and cultural backgrounds have on their learning.
The remaining 62 credits needed to graduate come within the elementary education major. These classes focus on content areas and professional issues in education alike. For example, you’ll take advanced math classes like Geometry for Teachers, Probability and Statistics, and Algebra for P-8 Teachers. You’ll also complete courses in reading, such as:
- Language Arts
- Early Literacy
- Literature for Children
- Intermediate Literacy
Regarding professional issues, this degree requires you to complete 21 credits of early childhood studies. Some of these classes, like Teaching in Elementary, give you insights into the unique features and challenges of teaching this age group. Others focus on helping you devise age-appropriate assessments for your students. Yet others explore curricular studies, such as how to organize and manage an integrated curriculum in an elementary school setting.
Additionally, this program requires you to take classes in non-core areas. PE for Early Childhood Education is a great example of this. Though it isn’t a core academic area, physical education is nonetheless critical for the physical, social, and emotional development of elementary-aged children.
Furthermore, you’ll take a class on The Exceptional Student, which focuses on kids who have special needs. You’ll learn how to accommodate mental, physical, and behavioral needs in the classroom. You’ll also learn how to work closely with special education professionals to ensure you’re providing exceptional students with the support they need to be successful.
The student teaching experience is the final part of this program. You’ll complete student teaching during the program’s final semester at an approved elementary school. During your student teaching, you’ll work closely with your mentor teacher to hone your skills in classroom management, teaching and learning, curriculum and instruction, and other critical areas of teaching.
You must choose an academic concentration as well. You can choose between Math or Reading.
You must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
Once admitted to Georgia Southwestern, you must complete the core course requirements as described earlier. You must then apply for admission to the teacher education program.
University of Georgia
Online Bachelor of Science in Education
The University of Georgia’s Bachelor of Science in Education has an emphasis in special education that prepares you to teach exceptional students from pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade. Special education is typically a very high-need field, so getting your degree as a special educator sets you up well to quickly find a job after graduation.
This program progresses as a cohort, so you’ll take all your classes with the same classmates. This only applies, however, to major-area studies. In fact, this is a two-year degree completion program. In other words, you must already have your general education requirements completed prior to applying.
Over the course of four semesters, you’ll take detailed classes on various special education topics and have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in practicums throughout the program. The first semester of the program includes coursework like the following:
- Characteristics of High Incidence Disabilities
- Classroom and Behavior Management for Individuals with Disabilities
- Instruction of Individuals with Mild Disabilities
- Dyslexia and Other Learning Disabilities
These classes are crucial to your development as a special educator because of their focus on common topics and issues in this field. Likewise, the preparation you get for working with students with common needs (e.g., learning disabilities) is invaluable for providing these students with appropriate support and interventions to be academically successful.
The program’s second semester shifts focus somewhat. Two of the four courses concentrate on reading: Designing Reading Interventions for Special Education and Assessment and Intervention for Struggling Writers. You’ll also take a course on Assistive and Learning Technology, which introduces you to common tools at your students’ disposal for enhancing the learning environment.
Of course, like any education degree, there is also a strong focus on curriculum and instruction. For example, you’ll take a class entitled Advanced Instructional Methods for Individuals With Disabilities. This class helps you identify techniques and devices that assist you in teaching children with varying levels and types of disabilities.
You’ll also take a course focused on learning disabilities like dyslexia. As a highly common disability among children, it’s necessary that you understand what dyslexia is, the social and academic impacts it might have, and what you can do to assist children with dyslexia to make progress in the classroom.
Other required classes for this degree include Contemporary Issues in Special Education and Collaboration Among Families and Professionals. You’re required to take one upper-level elective in special education as well.
The student teaching component is a full-time placement during the final semester of the program in a special education classroom. There, you’ll apply the knowledge and skills you’ve learned in this degree program to better the classroom environment for your students and promote their academic, social, and emotional growth. If you’re a paraprofessional already, you may be able to complete the student teaching experience at your current school.
You can apply to the University of Georgia online at any time. The following requirements must be met to be considered for admission:
- Have at least 60 transferable college credits already completed.
- Have a cumulative college GPA of 2.80 or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
- Earn a grade of C or higher in core education prerequisite courses.
Georgia Southern University
Online Master of Education in Secondary Education
The 36-credit Master of Education in Secondary Education from Georgia Southern University is designed for current teachers who wish to expand their knowledge and move up the pay scale with an advanced education. To apply, you must have a current Induction or Professional Level Four teaching certificate or its equivalent in one of the following content areas:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Broad Field Science
- Physics
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- Political Science
- Math
- English
With your knowledge and experience teaching in one of these content areas, you already have the expertise to design effective lessons and assessments. However, your studies in this program will help you further your expertise by focusing on developmentally appropriate teaching practices.
Additionally, you’ll learn the value of diversity in the classroom. On the one hand, you’ll have varying field experiences that allow you to work with children of diverse backgrounds. On the other hand, you’ll get to experience the benefits of having students from different social, political, religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds in your classroom.
To acquire these skills and abilities, you’ll take part in a curriculum with many different learning opportunities. First, you’ll complete Professional Education Core Requirements that include classes like Learning Theories and Applications, Educational Research, and Foundations of Technology-Enabled Learning. In each case, these classes help you develop important skills for enhancing your ability to effectively teach students of all ability levels.
Next, you’ll take content-specific courses that explore topics like Trends in the Content Areas, Readings and Research in the Content Areas, and pedagogy considerations in your chosen content area. You’ll supplement those studies with a Classroom Assessment and Data Literacy course that teaches you how to use evidence-based strategies for measuring the progress of your students.
Moreover, this class offers instruction on devising different types of assessments. You’ll learn how to use the data from those assessments to identify students’ needs and improve your teaching, which in turn improves your students’ abilities to learn.
Another important course worth mentioning is Enhancing Student Performance. The ability of your students to do well in your classroom isn’t just about your content knowledge or your ability to deliver lessons in an engaging way. Instead, each child’s success also depends on your ability to organize curricula and connect learning activities with standards. As such, you’ll learn how to develop a formative assessment system that helps both you and your students monitor their progress and make realistic academic goals.
The final portion of this program is nine credits of electives. It’s recommended that these electives apply toward an endorsement or certificate area. You can choose from numerous different options, including English for Speakers of Other Languages, Online Teaching and Learning, Reading, or Curriculum and Pedagogy for Social Justice.
You must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university from which you’ve earned credit.
- Currently hold or be eligible to hold a renewable level-four Georgia teaching certificate or an equivalent out-of-state certificate.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.50 or higher.
- Provide a personal statement that explains your reasoning for applying to this program.
- Submit the university’s Disclosure and Affirmation Form.
Franklin University
Online Bachelor of Science in Adolescence to Young Adult Education
Another option for pursuing an undergraduate education degree is the Bachelor of Science in Adolescence to Young Adult Education from Franklin University. This 120-credit program focuses on equipping you with the content knowledge and teaching skills necessary for working in junior high and high school classrooms.
This degree typically requires four years to complete. However, Franklin University allows you to transfer up to 75 percent of the required credits, which means you can transfer up to 90 credits and significantly reduce the time needed to finish the program.
While enrolled, you’ll take content-area and professional courses offered in six-, eight-, 12-, and 16-week formats. Assuming you have already completed the general education requirements, your focus will shift to areas like Professional Education. In this area, you’ll learn how to plan lessons, integrate technology into your classroom, and create assessments to evaluate student learning.
You’ll also study how to collaborate with other education professionals, differentiate curricula to meet diverse student needs, and apply educational psychology theories to improve classroom instruction.
In addition to Professional Education, you’ll complete Major-Area Required courses and Foundations of Reading courses. The Major-Area Required courses include a Professional Growth and Development class, which provides a detailed study of teaching methods in classroom settings. This class includes practicum opportunities, allowing you to observe practicing teachers as they plan and implement teaching strategies. Additionally, you’ll take one of the following classes:
- Adolescence to Young Adult Language Arts Methods
- Adolescence to Young Adult Social Studies Methods
- Mathematics Methods and Materials for Adolescence to Young Adult Educators
Immersive learning opportunities are a vital part of this program. Field experiences begin during your first semester and continue throughout your training. These experiences are primarily observational and allow you to watch experienced teachers as they plan lessons, develop curricula, and manage classrooms. Field experiences take place across different grade levels and schools, giving you insight into how teaching and learning vary.
To meet licensure requirements, you’ll need to master the content areas you’ll teach. For a 7-12 license, you must be highly qualified in at least one major content area—English Language Arts, Social Studies, or Mathematics. You’ll complete 30 credits of coursework in your chosen field.
In addition to the practicum experiences each semester, you’ll complete a full semester of student teaching in an approved 7-12 classroom. Franklin University partners with more than 200 schools in urban, rural, and suburban areas in Ohio and will work with you to find a placement near your residence.
You can apply to Franklin University online at any time. To apply, you must meet the following requirements:
- Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, an associate degree, or higher.
- Submit official high school transcripts or equivalency scores (if you are a first-year student or transfer student with fewer than 60 college credits).
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you have attended.