A person who holds a baccalaureate degree and a valid state educational certificate who wishes to enroll in graduate courses for the purposes of self-improvement, certification renewal or enjoyment may be admitted for graduate study in a non-degree status. Should the student later decide to transfer to a degree seeking category, no more than 9 semester hours of credit earned while in this category may be applied toward a graduate degree program and then only if approved by the coordinator of the degree program desired. Students must already be certified in order to enroll in any of the College of Education's Non-Degree programs. Students in Non-Degree programs are not eligible for financial aid.
In addition, a person who holds a baccalaureate degree and a teaching certificate may enroll in graduate courses as an enrichment student for the purposes of self-improvement, certification renewal or enjoyment. Students in enrichment programs are not eligible for financial aid. Should the student later decide to transfer to a degree seeking category, no more than 9 semester hours of credit earned while in this category may be applied toward a graduate degree program and then only if approved by the coordinator of the degree program desired. Students who transfer to a degree program must meet the admissions requirements for that program including passing the Graduate Writing Assessment.
Note: During the completion of the certification program, the candidate must pass the appropriate section(s) of GACE Content Assessment for the certification area sought. All non-degree programs require the GC Certification Officer to recommend certification.
Computer Science for Teachers Graduate Certificate (Online)
The Computer Science Endorsement at Georgia College is a four-course sequence leading to Professional Standards Commission endorsement. Upon completion of the four courses, candidates will be referred to the PSC to add the endorsement to their certification.
If Seeking Professional Standards Commission Endorsement:
- To be eligible for the PSC Computer Science Endorsement the applicant must hold a level four (4) or higher renewable professional certificate in any P-12 or secondary (6-12) teaching field and complete other requirements outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.14 ENDORSEMENTS.
- To be eligible for the Supplemental Induction Computer Science Endorsement the applicant must hold a level four (4) or higher Induction P-12 or secondary (6-12) certificate in any teaching field and complete other requirements outlined in GaPSC Rule 505-2-.14 ENDORSEMENTS.
- In-Field Statement (See GaPSC Rule 505-2-.40 IN-FIELD ASSIGNMENT). An individual with the optional Computer Science endorsement has strengthened and enhanced competency levels for teaching computer science skills in grades P-12. Each state-approved curriculum course, with specified certificate fields that are designated as in-field, may be found under Certification/Curriculum Assignment Policies (CAPS) on the GaPSC web site at www.gapsc.com.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement
The ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) Endorsement Program is designed for any certified P-12 teacher who is interested in learning how to meet the needs more effectively of the students in his/her classroom. The program addresses the competencies required by the Professional Standards Commission's Georgia ESOL Endorsement.
ESOL Endorsement students do not have to take a GACE content test for adding the endorsement to their certificates. However, they must be recommended by the GC Certification Officer to the Professional Standards Commission.
Educational Leadership Certification (Tier 1)
The Non-Degree Tier I Certification Only in Educational Leadership addresses the Georgia Educational Leadership Standards using personalized and authentic learning experiences in the school setting. The primary candidate is a certified educator with a graduate degree in Education who wishes to add Tier I certification to their graduate degree. The program may be successfully completed in one academic year of three consecutive semesters, each having 6 graduate credit hours, beginning in the fall of each year. All course work is available online to support the school-based learning experiences. School partner mentors and university professors support and facilitate the candidate’s work. A residency requirement of 250 clock hours integrated in the coursework helps the candidate address experiences across all standards. Successful completion of the three courses and residency requirements enables the candidate to be recommended for Tier I certification with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Admission
- University Admissions Form
- Two professional recommendations
- Official copies of all college transcripts
- Documentation of completing a graduate degree in Education
- Documentation of completing course work for the identification and education of children with special needs. Georgia PSC educator certification is acceptable documentation.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75
Advisement
The Non-Degree Tier I Certification Only in Educational Leadership begins in August of each year and ends with the following summer session. Each candidate admitted to the cohort has a program of study listing the timeline for all courses. There are no substitutes or electives and all courses are taken at the same time during the program with other members of the cohort. Candidates are assigned to the cohort professor for advisement and are expected to communicate on a regular basis with the professor who will also serve as facilitator and performance coach.
Transient Credit
Candidates must enroll in all three courses at Georgia College.
Exit Requirements
All candidates must fulfill all course and residency requirements for certification recommendation.
Dismissal Policy
The grade point average for the three courses must be 3.0 or higher.
Certification
Successful completion of the three courses and documented passing scores on the GACE Educator Ethics for Leadership Test 380, GACE Educational Leadership Assessment 311, and successful completion of residency log documentation enables the candidate to be recommended for Tier I certification with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
Instructional Technology Certification
Coursework is fully online with no face-to-face class meetings. There are, however, opportunities to communicate with instructors and classmates in a variety of ways including synchronous, asynchronous, and virtual.
Students in the add-on certification program must already have a Master’s degree and hold T4 certification in a teaching field; or hold certification in another field as outlined with the GaPSC.
Admission Requirements
- Graduate Admissions Application Form
- Two professional recommendations
- Official copies of all transcripts
- Minimal GPA of 2.75
- Résumé
- Passing scores on the GACE Basic Skills
Certification
Upon meeting all course and examination requirements of this program, an S-5 certificate in Instructional Technology may be issued by the Professional Standards Commission of Georgia. Georgia College recommendation is required. GACE testing and certification began Fall 2013.
Library Media Certification
Program Description
The non-degree certification in Library Media requires a minimum of 24 semester hours of course work. Courses in the certification area must be included in the program of study. Students in the add-on certification program must hold T4 certification in a teaching field.
Admission Requirements
- Graduate Admissions Application Form
- Two professional recommendations (pdf)
- Official copies of all transcripts
- Passing scores on the Graduate Writing Assessment
- Minimal GPA of 2.5
- Verification of immunization
- Passing scores on the GACE Basic Skills
Certification
Upon meeting all course and examination requirements of this program, an S-5 certificate in Media Specialist may be issued by the Professional Standards Commission of Georgia. Georgia College recommendation is required.
Contact Information
Ms. Shanda Brand, Graduate Admissions Advisor
Shanda.brand@gcsu.edu
CBX 70, 220 Kilpatrick Hall
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-1383
Phone toll free in Georgia: 1-800-342-0471 x1383
Dr. Diane Gregg, Program Coordinator
diane.gregg@gcsu.edu
CBX 79, 137 Kilpatrick Hall
Milledgeville, GA 31061
478-445-1505
Phone toll free in Georgia: 1-800-342-0471 x1505
Reading Endorsement
Georgia College (GC) offers a unique professional development opportunity. The program is designed for any P-12 teacher or supplemental reading teacher who is interested in learning how to better meet the needs of the students in his/her classroom. The program addresses the competencies required by the Professional Standards Commission’s Georgia Reading Endorsement. It emphasizes classroom application and addresses three strands:
- Understanding Readers and the Reading Process
- Linking Literacy Assessment and Instruction
- Instructional Strategies in the content areas across Pre-K-12 educators.
This program requires a limited number of meetings per semester. The remainder of the work is on line.