To obtain a teaching certificate, student must possess at least an undergraduate degree, successfully complete a student teaching experience, internship or practicum, and pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, or GACE tests. GACE assessments include basic math, reading and writing. Teachers who wish to add subjects to their state certification, such as Spanish, social studies or third grade, must also pass GACE content assessment tests.
Most potential teachers follow what the Georgia Professional Standards Commission refers to as the traditional route to certification. A student can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree from a state-approved college, obtain a recommendation from the college and pass the GACE. Students who already possess a degree can attend a post-baccalaureate program at a Georgia college that culminates in the award of a certificate.
Non-teachers who hold a degree in a high-demand field, such as math, science, special education or foreign languages, or former teachers with lapsed certificates, can follow an alternate route to certification. Such individuals can work toward their certificate while employed in a school setting. Additional coursework through a Georgia college may be required.
Undergraduate degrees prepare students to work in the classroom and offer a direct route to certification. Many Georgia schools assist students through the certification process. The University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia College in Milledgeville, Shorter University in Rome, Mercer University in Macon, Atlanta and Savannah, Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Columbus State University in Columbus, Emory University in Atlanta, Gordon College in Barnesville and Augusta State University in Augusta offer undergraduate degrees leading to state licensure.
A Master of Education, Master of Arts in Teaching or Education Specialist degree can lead to increased pay and responsibility, as well as qualifying teachers for state certification. According to the University of West Georgia, graduate degrees can prepare teachers to be proactive leaders and agents of change in the classroom. Georgia schools that offer graduate degrees include the University of West Georgia, Georgia Southern University, Georgia College, Mercer University, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Columbus State University, Emory University and Augusta State University.
Post-baccalaureate programs, also known as certificate-only programs, are designed for prospective teachers who already have a degree in a non-education field and just need to obtain a certificate. Georgia colleges that offer certificate-only programs include the University of West Georgia, Georgia College, Shorter University, Mercer University, Armstrong Atlantic State University and Columbus State University.