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Georgia Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs

Alternative teacher preparation programs, also known as non-traditional programs, are designed for those who have a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to the award of a certificate or master’s degree. The state of Georgia offers alternative routes to teacher certification for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree but have not yet completed a teacher preparation program. If you haven’t yet earned your bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional teacher certification in Georgia. Alternative certification programs can be a good fit for career-changers as well as recent graduates from bachelor’s degree programs. The steps to alternative teacher certification in Georgia are outlined below.

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Requirements for Alternative Certification

All candidates for teacher certification in Georgia must hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Candidates must also pass the same required exams as traditional-pathway teachers and complete an alternative teacher preparation program. These programs commonly lead to a post-baccalaureate certificate, a graduate certificate, or a master’s degree. You can view a list of approved alternative preparation programs through the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP).

Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in Georgia

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) requires that prospective teachers hold a bachelor’s degree (except in certain career and technical education subjects) and complete an approved teacher preparation program. Through alternative routes to licensure, teachers can complete a teacher preparation program while teaching in Georgia public schools.

Georgia Non-Renewable Provisional Certificate

The most direct route to earning alternative teacher certification in Georgia is the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP) pathway. To be eligible, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with a major in the subject that they wish to teach and have achieved passing scores on the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) tests and the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment. Candidates then apply to an approved educator preparation program and secure employment in a participating school. Accepted candidates then complete teacher preparation requirements while teaching under a non-renewable Provisional certificate. Candidates must complete program requirements within three years. Program graduates are eligible for an Induction certificate, the entry-level teaching certification in Georgia.

Note that in Georgia, prospective career and technical education teachers typically follow the Georgia Non-Renewable Provisional Certificate route. However, educators in this field may not always be required to hold a bachelor’s degree. The GaPSC may accept an equivalent combination of education, experience, and industry certification. See the rules on career and technical specializations for further details.

Testing Requirements for Georgia Alternative Certification

Before teaching in a classroom as part of pre-service training through a teacher preparation program, candidates must take and pass the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment. Candidates must also post passing scores on the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE), including the appropriate content assessment(s) for the subject(s) to be taught.

Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State

It is possible to earn Georgia teacher certification through reciprocity if the applicant holds a current and valid professional teaching license or certificate in another state. Candidates seeking reciprocity must take and pass the same set of exams as all other Georgia educators. For more information on the process, applicants should contact the GaPSC.

Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in Georgia

To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the GaPSC for the preparation of teachers.

State-Approved SchoolAccreditationProgram Type(s)Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4Net Price5
Albany State UniversityMaster’s$13,678
Augusta University*Certificate, Master’s$11,973
Brenau UniversityMaster’s$21,715
Clark Atlanta UniversityCAEPCertificate, Master’s$29,100
Clayton State UniversityMaster’s$11,620
Columbus State University*Alternative, Certificate, Master’s$11,855
Covenant CollegeMaster’s$26,116
Dalton State CollegeCertificate$5,776
Georgia College & State University*CAEPMaster’s$20,958
Georgia Southern UniversityCAEPMaster’s$15,463
Georgia State UniversityMaster’s$17,750
LaGrange College*Master’s$23,185
Mercer UniversityMaster’s$21,693
Piedmont UniversityCertificate, Master’s$19,796
Savannah State UniversityCertificate$9,611
Shorter UniversityCertificate, Master’s$17,463
Thomas University*Master’s$19,605
University of Georgia*Certificate, Master’s$16,580
University of North GeorgiaCAEPMaster’s$11,322
University of West GeorgiaCertificate, Master’s$15,749
Valdosta State UniversityMaster’s$12,221
Young Harris CollegeMaster’s$20,704

  • — indicates none or not applicable.
  • N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
  • *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.

Fastest Alternative Certification Programs

The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in Georgia based on the shortest possible time to completion. Shorter alternative certification programs are often more affordable since they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.

  1. Covenant College (11 months)
  2. Columbus State University (12 months)
  3. Georgia College & State University (12 months)
  4. Georgia Southern University (12 months)
  5. Shorter University (12 months)
  6. Young Harris College (12 months)

Additional Resources

Related Articles

References:
1. Georgia Professional Standards Commission: https://www.gapsc.com/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/