Certification Only Admission

Students applying for one of the certification programs offered by the College of Education must complete the following:

K-12 Initial Teaching Certification

  1. A completed graduate school application.
  2. A completed application for evaluation for teacher certification (contact the College of Education Certification Office).
  3. A non-refundable application fee.
  4. Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended (Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required).

School Counseling Certification (non-degree)

Applicants who already have a Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related area may opt for certification as a school counselor. Applicants must submit:

1.    A completed graduate school application.

2.    A non-refundable application fee.

3.    A completed Counselor Education Program application.

4.    Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related field

5.    A completed certification evaluation for school counseling (contact the College of Education Certification Office).

6.    Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended

7.    A cumulative graduate grade point average of at least a 3.0 from a regionally accredited college or university.

8.    Passing scores on the GACE Admission Examination.

9.    Three (3) current recommendations (form available on Graduate School webpage).

10. A written professional statement

11. Successfully complete an interview with the School Counseling admissions committee.

Initial Certification in School Counseling

Applicants who do not hold Georgia educator certification but who already have a Master’s degree in counseling or a closely related area may opt for initial certification as a school counselor. Applicants must submit:

  1. A completed graduate school application.
  2. A non-refundable application fee.
  3. A completed Counselor Education Program application.
  4. Passing scores on the GACE Admission Examination.
  5. Three (3) current recommendations (form available on Graduate School webpage).
  6. A written professional statement.
  7. An undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 or better
  8. A minimum standardized test score of:  402 on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or 146 Verbal and 140 Quantitative on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); or, for individuals seeking Georgia certification in School Counseling:  Passing scores on all three tests within the GACE Program Admission assessment [Reading (200), Mathematics (201), and Writing (202)] are required.

The GACE Program Admission tests may be exempted if the applicant holds a current or expired Georgia Clear Renewable (professional) certification or sufficient scores are obtained on the SAT® (1000 Verbal/Critical Reading, and Math), ACT® (43 English and Math), or GRE® (1030 Verbal and Quantitative; after 8-1-11, 297 Verbal and Quantitative).

Individuals seeking School Counseling certification in other states must provide passing scores on the Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) [Reading (156), Mathematics (157), and Writing (162)] are required.  Students who enroll in the School Counseling but later apply to change concentrations must provide MAT or GRE scores.

Education Administration and Supervision Add-On Certification

Tier I Educational Leadership  Add-On Certification (Non-degree)

  1. 2.5 minimum overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA).
  2.  Initial teaching certification.
  3. Three letters of recommendations with one from immediate supervisor.

  4. Evidence of successful completion of GACE Program Admission, usually satisfied with initial certificate. (Applicants not meeting this requirement will be admitted provisionally and required to satisfy the requirement during their first semester of enrollment) 

  5. Evidence of completion of GACE Ethics for Leadership Exit Examination (380).  (Applicants not meeting this requirement will be admitted provisionally and required to satisfy the requirement during their first semester of enrollment).

  6. Evidence of meeting special education requirement. (Applicants not meeting this requirement will be admitted provisionally and required to satisfy the requirement during their first semester of enrollment).

Tier II Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership Add- On (Non-degree)

Admission Requirements

PHASE I:

  1. Invitation  to participate
  2. Individual Interview
  3. Group Interview
  4. On-demand writing assessment
  5. Superintendent’s Assurance form
  6. District Partnership Agreement
  7. Holds Tier I certification in leadership
  8. Holds a leadership position
  9. Writing sample

PHASE II

  1. Invitation to apply to graduate school
  2. Minimum graduate cumulative gpa of 3.0
  3. Official transcripts from each college/university
  4. Three years of professional education experience
  5. Three Professional letters of recommendation
  6. Currently holds and educational leadership POSITION**

*Submission of Phase I requirements does not guarantee admission to the program.