Accredited education degree programs in Georgia are numerous to fulfill the Empire State of the South’s demand for early childhood educators. Positioned on the Atlantic Seaboard, Georgia is the most extensive state east of the Mississippi and home to 10.2 million. Georgia’s $403 billion economy has a healthy education sector for new teachers. According to the Georgia Department of Education, there are presently 181 school districts with 2,200 schools statewide. The Georgia Head Start Association administers another 31 agencies for the Bright from the Start program. Since 2005, the Georgia Virtual School has also used Adobe Connect to deliver 100+ SACS CASI accredited courses yearly. It’s no surprise that the Atlantic Metro has the country’s fourth highest employment level of early childhood educators at 36,990. Education graduates can expect an average yearly salary of $29,740 in Pre-K and $54,190 in elementary schools. If instructing very young children is your goal, continue reviewing the NCATE-accredited early childhood degrees in Georgia below. To see more accredited Early Childhood Education degree programs, visit Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in Georgia (A-C), Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in Georgia (D-G), and Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in Georgia (P-Z).
Georgia State University
College of Education & Human Development
Classified as a public, doctoral RU/VH research institution, Georgia State University carries a $186 million endowment to educate nearly 33,000 Panthers upon its 518-acre urban campus centered on downtown Atlanta’s famous Decatur Street and five Metro locations. Graded A for location and diversity on Niche, Georgia State is America’s 142nd best public university according to Forbes magazine. The U.S. News recognized GSU as the fourth most innovative school with the 14th top undergraduate teaching nationally. The College of Education & Human Development stands proudly as the country’s 59th best education school with a 99 percent edTPA pass rate.
Early Childhood and Elementary Education B.S.E.
GSU’s accredited education degree programs in Georgia for initial teacher certification begin with the Early Childhood and Elementary Education B.S.E. This 129-credit offering equips educators to instruct youth in Pre-K through fifth grade classrooms. Emphasis is placed on integrating digital technology into academic curriculum for the 21st century. Undergraduates may add the ESOL Endorsement or Dual Certification in Early Childhood and Special Education track. Field-based experiences are included in the bachelor’s degree before the senior student teaching semester. Many B.S.E. majors volunteer with preschool children through the Jumpstart Program. Education students can also study abroad in Spain, Norway, and more. Passing the GACE Content Assessment will be required before graduation.
Early Childhood and Elementary Education M.A.T.
Post-baccalaureate learners who lack an education background could earn Georgia initial teaching licensure via the Early Childhood and Elementary Education M.A.T. program at GSU. The Master of Arts in Teaching explores the best pedagogical strategies for fostering optimal development in PreK-5 children. Graduates develop their content-specific skills in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies to customize Common Core curriculum. This NCATE-accredited program pays particular attention to urban practices in high-need Atlanta schools. Consisting of 44 total credits, the program requires two classroom internships for nine credits. Face-to-face coursework spans from literacy development to iterative curriculum design. Admission will require an accredited bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.75 GPA.
Accreditations
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
30 Pryor Street, Suite 550
P.O. Box 3978
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 413-8020
ecemail@gsu.edu
http://ecee.education.gsu.edu/
Gordon State College
School of Education
Renamed to honor Confederate General John B. Gordon in 1872, Gordon State College has grown from a military school into a public, state-funded higher learning institution enrolling over 5,000 students from its 125-acre rural campus in Barnesville within Lamar County. Endowed for $9.5 million, Gordon State is Georgia’s 21st best value with an annual net price of $10,515. According to Washington Monthly, GSC is also the 171st top national liberal arts college for “contribution to the public good.” The School of Education boasts a 95 percent persistence rate by satisfying teachers’ need to touch the future.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Special Education
As Gordon State’s first four-year degree, the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Special Education meets NCATE guidelines to prepare PreK-5 teachers for Georgia certification. Cohorts are admitted beginning their junior year to complete rigorous training in the collegiate and elementary classroom. Students gather the pedagogical ability to teach youth with mild disabilities in general education settings. The five-semester program includes 27 credits in teaching, 12 credits in reading, nine credits in math, and nine credits in special education. Field practicum is coupled with didactic instruction for the culminating, 600-hour teaching internship. Students often finish the 128-credit bachelor’s after GSC’s Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education.
Accreditations
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Smith Hall Room 101
419 College Drive
Barnesville, GA 30204
(678) 359-5466
mmahan@gordonstate.edu
http://www.gordonstate.edu/education/bachelor-of-science-in-early-childhood-special-education
Kennesaw State University
Bagwell College of Education
Presently enrolling more than 35,600 students, Kennesaw State University is Georgia’s third largest public, co-educational research institution occupying a main 581-acre suburban campus overlooking “Big Kennesaw” in Cobb County with extensions in Marietta, Dalton, and Dallas. Graded A+ for campus food and A- for athletics on Niche, KSU was picked as high school counselors’ 220th favorite on the U.S. News survey. Forbes crowned Kennesaw State the South’s 181st best bet. The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) recognized the Bagwell College of Education for the country’s 157th best educator preparation.
B.S. in Early Childhood Education (P-5)
The B.S. in Early Childhood Education (P-5) stands as the broadest undergraduate option among Kennesaw State’s accredited education degree programs in Georgia. This program begins in the sophomore year after students fulfill most general education requirements. Using a cross-disciplinary approach, the 132-credit curriculum sharpens students’ understanding of culturally and developmentally appropriate teaching practices. Professional courses like teaching English learners, STEM education, and classroom management are included. Unlike most B.S. degrees, students are required to complete a yearlong co-teaching experience in PreK through fifth grade classrooms. Over 200 KSU students choose international teaching placements from Korea to Costa Rica. Teachers could also add the Global Engagement Certification (GEC).
B.S. in Birth Through Kindergarten Education
Undergraduates at Kennesaw State may narrow their teaching specialty with the NCATE-accredited B.S. in Birth Through Kindergarten Education too. Emphasizing the whole child, the program produces highly qualified teachers who foster development in infants and toddlers. Students are admitted after completing 45+ credits with a minimum 2.75 GPA and passing the Georgia Educator Ethics Entry Program. In additional to the 123-credit Traditional Track, there’s a 125-credit Montessori Concentration offered for PAMS certification. All students satisfy the requirements for the Georgia P-5 education certificate. Extensive fieldwork is accompanied with two semesters of supervised practice teaching. Graduates are enthusiastically sought by the Bright from the Start (BFTS) Program.
Online M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education
As one of the few NCATE accredited online education degrees in Georgia, the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State suits certified teachers seeking advancement. Online cohorts fine-tune their strategies for nurturing the development of PreK-5 students. The 13-month program coincides with the public school calendar for convenience. Teachers take three 16-week courses per semester, such as literacy instruction and global education. It’s possible to specialize with the Montessori, Reading, ESOL, Gifted/Talented, or Teacher Leadership endorsements. Although there are no on-campus residencies, educators must complete a research practicum and capstone portfolio project. Highly competitive admission takes place every April. Submitting GRE or MAT scores isn’t necessary.
Accreditations
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Kennesaw Hall Room 3008
1000 Chastain Road
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(470) 578-6121
pbulloc2@kennesaw.edu
Mercer University
Tift College of Education
Established by Baptist minister Adiel Sherwood in 1833, Mercer University is the Peach State’s oldest private, nonprofit higher learning institution with over 8,500 students studying across 12 colleges upon a 150-acre urban campus in Macon near the Ocmulgee River. Ranked #11 for “Most Active Student Government” by The Princeton Review, Mercer is America’s 135th best university and 24th top value according to the USNWR. Mercer University was one of 81 schools picked for College Compact’s “Colleges With a Conscience” list. The Tift College of Education houses three accredited education degree programs in Georgia and an annual Autism Symposium.
B.S.Ed. Early Childhood/Special Education
Mercer undergraduates completing the B.S.Ed. Early Childhood/Special Education program are given the foundation for passing the GACE Content Assessment for initial Georgia certification. The 128-credit program applies a holistic perspective to fostering young children’s cognitive, affective, psychomotor, and social development. Students learn the various pedagogical models for adapting curriculum to meet exceptional children’s needs too. Seven field components are integrated from the freshman year to the student teaching semester. Past placements include First Presbyterian Day School and Hartley Elementary School. Traditional courses are completed in daytime hours at Macon, but evening courses are available at the Atlanta, Douglas, Henry, and Newnan campuses. The program boasts a 83 percent retention rate.
M.A.T. Early Childhood Education
Delivered at the Atlanta or Henry campus, the M.A.T. Early Childhood Education program allows Mercer graduates with a non-teaching bachelor’s degree to earn Level 5 Georgia certification. Re-careering professionals develop the specialized skills to support diverse young children within PreK-5 school settings. Coursework blends theoretical and pedagogical content with instructional technology for the 21st century classroom. Class sessions meet one evening weekly during the 16-week semester. Daytime hours are devoted to students’ careers and field experiences. The 49-credit curriculum concludes with the EMAT Internship. Some aspiring teachers also participate in the Mercer on Mission project in Liberia. Admission occurs every Fall and Spring for applicants with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
M.Ed. Early Childhood Education
Currently certified Level 4 teachers could meet the Georgia Professional Standards Committee’s Level 5 requirements within Mercer’s 30-credit M.Ed. Early Childhood Education program. The traditional, in-class format spans 16 months face-to-face in Atlanta. However, the NCATE-accredited school also created an accelerated, 12-month option for online learners. Teachers enhance their knowledge of pedagogical practices to meet the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive needs of young children. Supplemental fieldwork helps educators apply their skills creating engaging learning environments for infants and toddlers. The degree allows for endorsements in ESOL, Reading, Teacher Leadership, Special Education Autism, Early Childhood Mathematics, and Early Childhood Science. Mercer alumni can waive the program’s $25 application fee.
Accreditations
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Stetson Building Suite 106
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207
(478) 301-5397
MercerEducation@mercer.edu
https://education.mercer.edu/academic-programs/
Middle Georgia State University
School of Education
Welcomed into the University System of Georgia in 2015, Middle Georgia State University is a relatively young public, co-educational institution educating over 7,600 Knights from its locations in Macon, Dublin, Eastman, Cochran, and Warner Robins. Chosen as the 2016 USG Service Excellence Gold Institution of the Year, MGA is Georgia’s 28th best value with an annual net price of $9,206. With an 86 percent acceptance rate, Middle Georgia State was graded B for diversity and value on Niche. Maintaining NCATE accreditation, the School of Education boasts a 100 percent certification rate for producing competent, accountable, reflective, and engaged teachers who CARE.
Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood Special Education (P-5)
At MGA, the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) program offers an Early Childhood Special Education (P-5) major to prepare licensed teachers for educating Central Georgia’s youngest students. The vibrant 127-credit curriculum fulfills GPSC standards to develop the competencies for initial certification. Admission will depend on undergraduates’ ability to pass the GACE Program Admission Assessment and complete the general core with a 2.75 GPA. Upper-division courses will explore literacy acquisition, child development, positive behavior intervention, exceptional children, instructional technology, and education diversity. Future teachers must undergo a criminal background check for the program’s requisite school practica. Majors can also participate in the PAGE Conference and “The Ability Exhibit.”
Accreditations
• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
100 University Parkway
Macon, GA 31206
(478) 471-2495
david.fuller@mga.edu
http://www.mga.edu/education/programs.aspx
Channeling your inner Dora the Explorer to animatedly spark young children’s love for learning is a gratifying benefit of studying early childhood education. Another is the favorable job outlook over the next decade. According to the U.S. News, preschool teachers claim the #4 best education job in America with 10-year job growth projected at 7 percent. Growing demand for early intervention has given Pre-K teachers one of the profession’s lowest unemployment rates (3.3 percent). Early childhood educators use fun tools like crayons, picture books, and puzzles to prepare toddlers for a lifetime of success. Follow your vocational calling into the classroom with these accredited education degree programs in Georgia.
Related Resource: 50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for a Master’s in Education 2016
