Georgia is located in the southeast portion of the nation, was the fourth state to ratify the Constitution of the United States and has a very tumultuous past. It was the last of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the original seven Confederate States and the last state to be restored to the Union after the Civil War. This historic setting is the perfect environment for learning at all levels.
Georgia is home to over 70 public colleges and universities, including the oldest public university in the United States. An additional 45 privately-owned institutions provide opportunities for master’s-level degrees in education and a variety of other specialties.
Note: Those interested in distance learning programs should consult our recommendations for Online Master’s in Special Education.
Purdue University’s online MSEd in Special Education offers separate tracks for initial teacher licensure, and for licensed teachers looking to add advanced endorsements.
The online MSEd in Special Education from Saint Joseph’s University online MSEd in Special Education from Saint Joseph’s University offers concentrations in ASD, Hearing Impairment and the Wilson Reading System®.
Columbus State University, GA
College of Education and Health Professions
Columbus State University’s College of Education and Health Professions is divided into four separate departments for graduate programs in education, counseling, health sciences and nursing. The Department of Teacher Education offers graduate programs designed for those candidates with and without teaching certifications. A Master of Arts in Teaching is available for Early Childhood Education, Middle School Education with concentrations in English, Math, Reading, Science and Social Studies, Secondary Education and Special Education. Master of Education and Specialist in Education degrees are offered for graduate students who currently hold a renewable teaching certificate and wish to pursue advanced knowledge and skills. Proficiency is developed in assessment, research, psychology, curriculum development and concepts to prepare educators to be leaders in their field.
Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education–General Curriculum (M.A.T.) (P-12)
Students seeking a master’s degree and teaching certification in Special Education – General Curriculum can pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching. The M.A.T. degree program focuses on the study of children and youth (grades Pre-kindergarten – 12) with disabilities. Both academic and non-academic functions are considered in students with mental retardation, learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, and other mild and moderate special needs.
Learning outcomes of the special education teacher include:
-Advanced assessment techniques.
-Test interpretation and remediation.
-Educational placement, inclusion and transition methods.
-Lesson plan creation and implementation.
-Judgment, interpretation and problem-solving skills.
-Collaboration and communication abilities.
The Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education is delivered with both traditional classroom and online formats. A requirement of 40 hours of field practice is also integrated into the program – 20 hours of general education and 20 hours of special education. This will give graduate students familiarity with knowledge, skills and habits of beginning teachers. A recommendation for certification with a special education endorsement is available upon completion of the program.
Accreditations
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities
Georgia Professional Standards Commission
Contact Information
103 Jordan Hall
4225 University Avenue
Columbus, GA 31907
(706) 568-2301
http://coehp.columbusstate.edu/
Georgia College and State University, GA
John H. Lounsbury College of Education
The John H. Lounsbury College of Education at Georgia College and State University has been preparing educational leaders for more than 120 years. Believing education extends beyond the classroom, the College has developed partnerships with community schools, districts and other academic agencies to enhance career opportunities for their graduates.
Known for their innovative teaching programs, The John H. Lounsbury College of Education was selected in the finalist category in 2009 and 2010 for the National Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2008, the College received the Wisniewski Award for significant contributions in teacher education. Master’s-level degree programs are offered in many education specialties including: Master of Education in Early Childhood, Master of Education in Education with concentrations in Middle and Secondary-level instruction, and Master of Education in Special Education General Curriculum.
Master of Education in Special Education General Curriculum (M.Ed.) (P-12)
The Master of Education in Special Education General Curriculum is structured for teachers who already hold a level four teaching certificate from the State of Georgia. Graduate students of this degree program will be focused on school improvement plans and methods for children and youth (grades P-12). Teachers will examine their own school’s needs, create a plan for improvement and share their outcomes with local, regional, state and national associations. The M.Ed. degree program combines theory with real-world practice to institute change for special needs children and youth.
Course work is blended in face-to-face classroom and online formats. Certification upgrades are not handled through Georgia University. Students requiring a level five certification must apply directly through the Professional Standards Commission or their own school system.
Master of Teaching in Special Education General Curriculum (M.A.T.) (P-12)
The Master of Teaching in Special Education General Curriculum is designed for preparation of initial special education teachers who do not hold a teaching certification. Graduate students will become proficient in working with special needs children and youth (grades P-12) plus support interrelated learning issues (gifted in one academic area and deficient in another).
Candidates of the master’s degree program will become adept in behavior management, language development, reading methods for disabled children, evaluation and assessment, interrelated challenges, integration techniques and collaborative skills in working with professionals and families of disabled children and youth.
All students must complete an internship supervised by a special education professional. In addition, graduate candidates must pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam. Upon successful completion of the required courses and exam, graduates may receive a recommendation for a T-5 State of Georgia Teacher’s Certificate.
Accreditations
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities
Georgia Professional Standards Commission
Contact Information
Campus Box 70
Middedgeville, GA 31061
(478) 445-4056
[email protected]
Kennesaw State University, GA
Bagwell College of Education
The Bagwell College of Education at Kennesaw State University operates under the umbrella of the Professional Teacher Education Unit (PTEU). As the guiding force behind all teacher preparation programs, the institution strives to create high-level programs to develop educational leaders. The mission of the PTEU is to cultivate high-quality teachers with the ability to effect change in the classroom. In addition, expertise as a professional is considered to include a passion for life-long learning.
Master’s programs are available for a variety of teaching specializations and include:
-Master of Education in Early Childhood Education.
-Master of Education in Inclusive Education.
-Master of Education in Adolescent Education.
-Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
-Master of Education in Instructional Technology.
-Master of Arts in Teaching.
Master of Education – Inclusive Education: Concentration in Individualized General Curriculum (M.Ed.) (P-12)
The Master of Education – Inclusive Education: Concentration in Individualized General Curriculum program is intended for practicing teachers to learn methods for special needs children through inclusive systems. The graduate degree series provides training in curriculum development, reading and writing strategies for disabled children and youth (grades Pre-kindergarten – 12). In addition, candidates are schooled in positive behavior management, assessment of diverse learners, and collaborative exercises for effective communication with other professionals and families.
There is a minimum of 36-credit hours of coursework and field work required. An
e-portfolio is used by each graduate student as a tool to measure growth, problem-solving and decision making capabilities as well as a permanent record for reflection and learning. The program provides initial certification in special education and may also be eligible for a Reading or Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) endorsement. All students must pass the GACE tests prior to being certified in special education.
Accreditations
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Georgia’s Professional Standards Commission (PSC)
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Contact Information
Inclusive Education
1000 Chastain Road
MD 0124, KHE Ste. 3201
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(770) 423-6577
https://education.kennesaw.edu/gac/
The University of Georgia, GA
College of Education
The University of Georgia has the distinguished honor of being the first chartered university in the United States and is rich in educational history. The College of Education was founded in 1908 and is ranked among the largest and most diverse in the country. The College offers 30 graduate programs through its nine departments including: education, counseling, psychology, administration, research and health care.
Master’s degree programs are fully accredited and prepare teachers to work with individuals from infancy through adulthood. Master of Arts and Master of Education programs are available for Communication Sciences and Disorders to learn methods related to speech-language pathology. The School of Education also has a strong special education offering that includes a Master of Teaching degree with concentrations in Adapted Curriculum and Autism, Birth through Five Preschool, General Curriculum and a Master of Education degree in all the previously noted concentrations plus Early Childhood Education/Special Education General Curriculum (P-5).
Master of Teaching: Special Education LD General Curriculum (MAT) (K-12)
The Master of Teaching: Special Education LD General Curriculum degree program for students without a teaching certification interested in teaching children and youth (grades K-12) with mild disabilities. Instruction is primarily focused on special education students that have been following a general curriculum/inclusion program and diagnosed with behavior disorders, learning disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, health impaired, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Syndrome.
The graduate program includes an emphasis on inclusion, diversity and multiculturalism in the classroom. Upon completion of this program, special education teachers are focused on assisting disabled children and youth acquire independence in their communities.
All master’s students must complete coursework, field studies and applied research for their degree. Graduates must demonstrate both initial and advanced skills Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) tests prior to certification.
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate: SETWEB Interrelated (K-12)
The SETWEB Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Special Education is an innovative online program designed for students with a bachelor’s degree who want to obtain certification as a special education teacher. Special Education Training on the Web (SETWEB) is a non-degree program that provides candidates with the necessary skills to teach children and adolescents (grades K-12) with disabilities. Typical high-incidence disabilities include learning disabilities, behavior disorders, mild intellectual disabilities or health impaired disorders. In all cases, inclusion, mainstreaming and co-taught classrooms are the preferred methods for students within these disability groups.
At least 15 hours per week of student teaching experiences must be completed in addition to the online coursework. Online graduate courses identify characteristics associated with each disorder and disability plus methods for teaching academic and social skills. A recommendation for certification is made upon completion of the program and successful completion of the GACE test.
Accreditations
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Contact Information
G-3 Aderhold Hall
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-6446
[email protected]
http://www.coe.uga.edu/
Valdosta State University, GA
James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services
The James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services at the Valdosta State University prepare future teachers for careers as professional educators. Eight critical principals for learning are exhibited in all degree programs and include: Knowledge and demonstration of critical characteristics, commitment to fairness and equality, life-long learning, ownership of teaching skills and experiences, support and collaborative learning, the positive impact of student learning, effective use of technology, and principals of teaching are guided by professional and ethical standards.
The following comprehensive educational master’s degree programs are offered:
-Master of Education in Early Childhood Education.
-Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education/Adapted Curriculum (Online GOML).
-Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education/General Curriculum (Online GOML).
-Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Grades Education
-Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education
-Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education/Deaf and Hard of Hearing (Online)
Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education–Deaf and Hard of Hearing
(MAT) (K-12)
The Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education – Deaf and Hard of Hearing degree program is delivered in a completely online format through the Georgia ONmyLINE program. Candidates for this degree program are not certified. All students must have completed coursework in American Sign Language or have a minor in deaf studies. Skills acquired include assessment, use of instructional strategies for children and youth (grades K-12), use of technology for the deaf and hard of hearing, and positive impact in observation/supervisory experiences.
Major areas of coursework concentration teach skills in reading and writing, thinking skills for deaf and hard of hearing children, curriculum development, classroom management, integration and collaboration, audiological considerations and auditory/oral methods. An internship experience in a deaf/hard of hearing environment is required prior to completion of the program.
Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education – General Curriculum (MAT) (P-12)
The Special Education – General Curriculum Master of Arts in Teaching degree is presented online and included as part of the Georgia ONmyLINE program. Completion of the program entitles graduates to initial certification in special education. Qualifications include a non-renewable teaching certificate. Learning outcomes include: Evidence-based interventions for children and youth (Pre-K through grade 12) with disabilities, collaboration in educational settings, language arts for the learning disabled and teaching reading.
All coursework can be completed online with no classroom requirements. However, an internship experience is required in a special education environment. Prior to completion of the Master of Arts in Teaching degree and recommendation for initial certification, each student mush complete the Georgia Assessment for the Certification of Educators test.
Accreditations
The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC)
Contact Information
Education Center
301 Baytree Road
Valdosta, GA 31698
(229) 333-5925
http://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/deans-office/online-programs/welcome.php
