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.
Table of Contents
- Georgia Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
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 School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $13,678 |
| Augusta University* | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $11,973 |
| Brenau University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,715 |
| Clark Atlanta University | CAEP | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $29,100 |
| Clayton State University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $11,620 |
| Columbus State University* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $11,855 |
| Covenant College | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $26,116 |
| Dalton State College | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $5,776 |
| Georgia College & State University* | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $20,958 |
| Georgia Southern University | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $15,463 |
| Georgia State University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $17,750 |
| LaGrange College* | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $23,185 |
| Mercer University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $21,693 |
| Piedmont University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $19,796 |
| Savannah State University | — | Certificate | — | — | — | $9,611 |
| Shorter University | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $17,463 |
| Thomas University* | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $19,605 |
| University of Georgia* | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $16,580 |
| University of North Georgia | CAEP | Master’s | — | — | — | $11,322 |
| University of West Georgia | — | Certificate, Master’s | — | — | — | $15,749 |
| Valdosta State University | — | Master’s | — | — | — | $12,221 |
| Young Harris College | — | Master’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.
- Covenant College (11 months)
- Columbus State University (12 months)
- Georgia College & State University (12 months)
- Georgia Southern University (12 months)
- Shorter University (12 months)
- Young Harris College (12 months)
Additional Resources
- Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC) Approved Programs: List of approved traditional and alternative educator preparation programs in Georgia.
- Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP): Guide to Georgia’s primary alternative educator preparation pathway.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- Georgia Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
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/