Georgia Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

The information on this page is meant to serve as a guide for those looking for teaching schools in Georgia. There are several colleges and universities in Georgia that offer degree programs that prepare aspiring teachers for a career in education. For more information, scroll down to find lists of top-rated teaching programs, a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, and student reviews. For anyone looking for a teaching degree in Georgia, this guide should help you find a qualified program that meets your future career goals.

Quick Facts

• There are 66 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in Georgia.¹
• 28 colleges and universities offer an associate’s degree in education.*¹
• 41 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in education.*¹
• 27 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.*¹
• 6 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.²
• No schools ranked in Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Education Majors 2020.³
• 6 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2019.⁴
• 10 schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2019.⁵
• 20 not-for-profit teacher programs are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with teacher degree programs.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in Georgia

Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019*

• Emory University (#30)
• University of Georgia (#76)
• Mercer University (#129)
• Spelman College (#222)
• Georgia State University (#273)
• University of North Georgia (#287)

*Institution-wide ranking.

US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2019

• University of Georgia (#36 tie)
• Georgia State University (#45 tie)
• Georgia Southern University (#163 tie)
• Clark Atlanta University (#195-258)
• Columbus State University (#195-258)
• University of West Georgia (#195-258)

US News & World Report’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2019

• University of Georgia (#5 tie)
• Georgia State University (#54 tie)
• Georgia Southern University (#89 tie)
• Brenau University (#105 tie)
• Georgia College & State University (#115 tie)
• University of West Georgia (#132 tie)
• Valdosta State University (#139 tie)
• Columbus State University (#174 tie)
• Kennesaw State University (#200 tie)
• University of North Georgia (#228-299)

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in Georgia

Comparison of Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in Georgia according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states. Read more about the CAEP, NCATE, and TEAC accrediting bodies. We have also included rankings from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a research and policy group that scores teacher preparation programs at the national level using key standards chosen to measure students’ preparation for success in teaching. For further information on the NCTQ’s program rankings, please see the notes below the table.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution for the 2017-2018 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education records under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which provides for reporting that holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality.

Programs that are not ranked, or for which data is not available, in a given category are denoted as “–“.

*The NCTQ rated undergraduate elementary teaching programs in 2016 and undergraduate secondary teaching programs in 2017 by national percentile based on their overall scores on the NCTQ’s standards for teacher education. Schools that do not provide data on all key standards or that fall below the top 50% of schools nationally are not included by the NCTQ in their ratings. Visit the NCTQ website for more information on its standards and methodologies.
**Net price is per year for undergraduate tuition as calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

Profiles of Schools with an Education Degree Program

University of Georgia: University of Georgia is home to the College of Education – also known as the COE. The University of Georgia has the distinction of being the first chartered state university in the country and has continued that ongoing excellence through the founding of the College of Education in 1908. The COE is perennially ranked among the nation’s top education colleges due to its commitment to intensive research and faculty instruction. The College of Education serves as a major component of the overall institution by offering 16 undergraduate majors and nearly 40 graduate majors. Graduates often choose rewarding careers as educators, administrators, counselors, psychologists and more. The College provides students at all levels with opportunities to engage in scholarly research in fields they are interested in. The college consists of over 200 faculty members and over 5,000 students.

Dalton State College: Dalton State’s School of Education in Dalton, Georgia has the mission to prepare teachers that help students reach their full potential, acquire a love for learning, and become productive citizens. It offers programs for attaining initial certification in early childhood education and secondary education. The Post-Baccalaureate Initial Certification Teacher Education program in Early Childhood Education is designed to help individuals with a bachelor’s in another field to transition to a teaching career. Students in the early childhood education program have the option to take ESOL coursework if they would like to add the ESOL endorsement. The Secondary Professional Teacher Education program prepares students to teach in the areas of biology, chemistry, english, history, or mathematics. The programs culminate with a teacher internship that involves 15 weeks in a supervised classroom environment.

Emory University: Emory University in Atlanta is home to the Division of Educational Studies, which is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Division of Educational Studies confers several degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The most popular degree is the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), which is designed to give students a graduate degree along with their initial teaching credentials. The division is comprised of world class faculty members that engage in scholarly research as well as engaging instruction to education students. The Division of Educational Studies offers students an interdisciplinary mixture of coursework from a variety of academic disciplines in order to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience. The Department’s main mission is to continue to reform and improve education with a special emphasis on urban and comparative education issues.

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in Georgia

Albany State University
504 College Dr
Albany, GA 31705
(229) 430-4600
www.asurams.edu

Augusta University (f/k/a Georgia Regents University)
1120 15th St
Augusta, GA 30912
(706) 721-0211
https://www.augusta.edu/

Student Review: “The Georgia Regents University Masters of Art in Teaching Program has provided me with both a challenging and rewarding program of study.The professors provide real-life scenarios in the classroom and access to the latest technology in student instruction. The program provides real classroom experience, through teacher collaborations and in-class training through partner schools in the area. Unlike other masters programs, GRU’s teacher education program prepares students for the classrooms of tomorrow through real classroom training and interaction. Overall, the teacher preparation program provides you with all the tools to become the best educator you can be. Georgia Regent University’s focus on the student is second to none.” -Student at Georgia Regents University

Berry College
2277 Martha Berry Hwy NW
Mount Berry, GA 30149
(706) 232-5374
www.berry.edu

Brenau University
500 Washington St SE
Gainesville, GA 30501-3668
(770) 534-6299

Brewton-Parker College
201 David-Eliza Fountain Cir
Mount Vernon, GA 30445
(912) 583-2241
www.bpc.edu

Clayton State University
2000 Clayton State Blvd
Morrow, GA 30260
(678) 466-4000
www.clayton.edu

Columbus State University
4225 University Ave
Columbus, GA 31907-5645
(706) 507-8800
https://www.columbusstate.edu/

Student Review: “The Columbus State University teacher preparation program provided a lot in classroom time to observe teaching strategies and classroom management strategies in real time. We were also provided a lot of opportunities to practice teaching within these settings. The program, when taken in the intended sequence, really helps to prepare you for the classroom. The professors really care about the success of the students and are normally available to answer your questions or help you however they can. The professors take a vested interest in your success. There is an online component to the program, which can be very helpful for those who are working while attending school.” -Student at Columbus State University

Covenant College
14049 Scenic Hwy
Lookout Mountain, GA 30750-4164
(706) 820-1560
www.covenant.edu

Dalton State College
650 College Dr
Dalton, GA 30720
(706) 272-4436
www.daltonstate.edu

Emmanuel College
181 Springs St
Franklin Springs, GA 30639
(706) 245-7226

Fort Valley State University
1005 State University Dr
Fort Valley, GA 31030-4313
(478) 825-6211

Georgia College & State University
231 W Hancock St
Milledgeville, GA 31061
(478) 445-2770
www.gcsu.edu

Georgia Southern University
Hwy 301 S
Statesboro, GA 30460
(912) 478-5391
https://www.georgiasouthern.edu/

Student Review: “Georgia Southern has an amazing childhood program. They allow you to start interning within your first major class. The courses are not very difficult. They teach you what you need to know then allow you to apply it. It is not very challenging. Most students make it through the program because of this. Before you graduate you have to intern in a classroom. There are many elementary schools in the area so you do not have to worry about traveling far for these internships. Overall, I am very satisfied with my education at Georgia Southern and believe they produce wonderful and efficient teachers.” -Jennifer W., student at Georgia Southern University

Student Review: “My college experience was mediocre at best. I loved the school I attended and the friends I met along the way but the curriculum was a bit flawed in my opinion. Even though there were many out of school opportunities, the classes were challenging and the professors would really help to push you which I thought was a good thing, but I wish more classes were geared towards how to interact with children at all different age groups. All of that experience came as a student teacher for only a semester which I didn’t believe was enough. But my degree got me an awesome job so it is hard for me to complain.” -Patrick B., student at Georgia Southern University

Student Review: “I am currently enrolled at Georgia Southern University as a sophomore. My first year at school was one of the best experiences of my life to date. The school has a lot of options to get involved; I chose to go through greek rush and joined the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. The teachers were above par as far as I’m concerned. Never did I have a teacher not show up for a class and the lectures were almost always entertaining. The campus is beautiful and the meal plans have plenty of options to stay healthy. One of my favorite things about Georgia Southern is the RAC or recreation center. I am looking forward to the next couple years at GSU.” -Robert C., student at Georgia Southern University

Georgia Southwestern State University
800 Georgia Southwestern State University Dr
Americus, GA 31709-4693
(229) 928-1279

Georgia State University
33 Gilmer St
Atlanta, GA 30303-3083
(404) 413-2000
https://www.gsu.edu/

Student Review: “Campus life is a lot of fun! Everyone is really nice and will stop what they’re doing to answer your questions. The faculty is also very helpful, contrary to what many high school teachers say, many of the Georgia State professors will make time for any hard-working student to assist them in any area they are struggling in. The environment is also amazing. You’re surrounded by the city of Atlanta and have the opportunity to experience city life while still being in a safe campus environment.” -Dylan S., student at Georgia State University

Student Review: “I studied at Georgia State University College of Education in the Middle and Secondary Education department. I think that the strengths of this program include its focus on urban education and the fact that teacher candidates get a lot of support from the university during their teaching practicum. I didn’t find the work in this program particularly challenging, but it definitely required determination and a strong work ethic. It is difficult to prepare a teacher – there are some things which must be learned through experience rather than through classroom studies. This program provides plenty of opportunities to work in the classroom with students. I think that this is one of the better teacher preparation programs around the Atlanta area, and schools in the area are definitely looking to hire graduates of Georgia State University’s College of Education.” -Student at Georgia State University

Kennesaw State University
1000 Chastain Rd
Kennesaw, GA 30144-5591
(770) 423-6000
https://www.kennesaw.edu/

Student Review: “The mathematics education program at Kennesaw State has been a pivotal driver of community engagement and national stewardship in the training of its students for the role of educating the nation’s youth. The program is centered, not upon grading and state testing, but creating knowledgeable, well-rounded students that can integrate the principle taught in class to real-world scenarios. Through this, the program has taught me, as well as the other students, the skill necessary to drive critical thinking in the classrooms and bring global perspectives of the world to America’s youth. Through this education, I believe the school has taught the responsibilities are not bound to the textbook but to the principles of engagement in national and global affairs. The program has been a great driver in this community in particular through its dedication to quality and neighborhood engagement of its future educators. On the downside, I think the program fails to address the issues that are bound to be found in modern classrooms, such as discipline and student laziness that will no doubt interrupt the operations of any classroom. Overall the program has all the principals to ensure a quality environment for learning and that has most definitely been accomplished.” -Mason B., student at Kennesaw State University

Student Review: “Kennesaw State University Educational Specialist degree concentration of middle grades social studies education has a great hybrid dual enrolled program for those who wish to combine their specialist and educational doctorate degree. As someone, who has spent a lot of time in the educational setting, one of the most important sources to enlist support when completing coursework are the professors/ instructors, Kennesaw has a many, who are willing to guides to you in your educational journey. The faculty have been a valuable resource in helping students understanding the expectations of a course and also empathetic to a student’s situation when life becomes complicated and can interrupt your educational progress. During my time as a student at Kennesaw. Email was always an application that I have used as a point of contact with my instructors in the past and usually, they have responded in a timely manner. Also, let it be noted that my instructors made themselves available to speak in person and have given up their valuable time.” -Student at Kennesaw State University

LaGrange College
601 Broad St
Lagrange, GA 30240-2999
(706) 880-8000
www.lagrange.edu

Mercer University
1400 Coleman Avenue
Macon, GA 31207
(478) 301-2700
https://www.mercer.edu/

Student Review: “Overall, my experience at Mercer University was decent. The campus was intimate, beautiful, and historical. Many of the people on campus are friendly, and generally, they meet you with a smile and a subtle willingness to help. There are many school-sponsored activities that encourage students to get involved and network with each other, which is very important considering that we are in an evolving job market. I met a lot of colleagues with whom I continue to interact. The professors there were personable, well-organized, and willing to assist students both in the classroom and outside of the classroom. One of the main improvements that the school could make would be to streamline a lot of the administrative processes like financial aid and registration. Also, I think that Mercer University should do more to ensure continued success in its alumnae.” -Ta’Wanda T., student at Mercer University

Student Review: “Mercer University is a small private college in Macon, GA. The campus is very old and beautiful. About 9,000 students attend Mercer. I find that the professors are very helpful due to the small class sizes. It’s much more of a personal learning experience. The dorms are somewhat small and old but there are also dorms that are brand new and nice. The food on campus is run by a company of which all the workers are friendly and cook pretty well. There’s also a Chickfila and Subway on campus in the university center which also includes a cafe, gym, basketball arena, and study areas. Overall Mercer is a very nice, prestigious private school that is well worth the expensive cost.” -Kevin B., student at Mercer University

Student Review: “Mercer University teacher preparation master of arts in teaching program was a great educational experience for anyone who is considering switching from the private sector to the public sector. Each of the professors was knowledgeable in their field and provide support to all student. Mercer teacher preparation program provided multiple opportunities for novice to experienced teachers to better equip themselves to the new educational environment that is more student-centered and tech-oriented. I truly appreciated my experience at Mercer, without attending the university, I would not have learned about educational employment opportunities and met people that have changed my life for the better.” -Student at Mercer University

Middle Georgia State University
100 University Pkwy
Macon, GA 31206
(478) 471-2700
www.mga.edu

North Georgia College & State University
82 College Circle
Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001
(706) 864-1400
www.ngcsu.edu

Oconee Fall Like Technical College*
560 Pinehill Rd
Dublin, GA 31021
(478) 275-6589
www.oftc.edu

Paine College
1235 15th St
Augusta, GA 30901-3182
(706) 821-8200
www.paine.edu

Piedmont College
165 Central Ave
Demorest, GA 30535-0010
(706) 778-3000
www.piedmont.edu

Reinhardt College
7300 Reinhardt College Cir
Waleska, GA 30183-2981
(770) 720-5600
https://www.reinhardt.edu/

Student Review: “My experience could have been better. I went to a small private school, so my class options were limited. Most of my classes were shared with either early childhood or music majors. While I did learn a lot, I feel it would have been much more beneficial to have been in classes with peers who would also be going into secondary education. Many of my classes taught methods that could not realistically be used in a high school math setting, and I feel that many of my professors did not have a lot of background in this area. The most beneficial things that I did learn were developing my personal teaching philosophy and the importance of differentiation. Some of my professors did play an integral role in shaping my philosophy and gave me a good foundation to keep improving on it. While I feel I could have had more help with specifics, I did learn the importance of differentiation, which in turn has made me a better teacher and also helped tremendously as I worked on my TKES assignment. While I think I was failed by not seeing secondary education examples, I do think I still came out with a good foundation.” -Student at Reinhardt College

Shorter College
315 Shorter Ave
Rome, GA 30165
(706) 291-2121
www.shorter.edu

South Georgia College
100 W College Pk Dr
Douglas, GA 31533-5098
(912) 260-4200
www.sgc.edu

Toccoa Falls College
325 Chapel Dr
Toccoa Falls, GA 30598
(706) 886-6831
www.tfc.edu

University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-3000
https://www.uga.edu/

Student Review: “The College of Education at the University of Georgia has been an excellent experience. The university has excellent facilities such as computer labs, large classrooms, and an entire building devoted to education. You can tell that the faculty are truly passionate about education and strive to instill that passion into their students. They offer a variety of classes that emphasize different aspects of teaching so that you are able to get as specific as you like. The school offered many internships and job opportunities to get you going right after college. The one aspect that I think could be changed is that the building and the technology in it is somewhat older and definitely could use a facelift.” -Marissa M., student at University of Georgia

Student Review: “While the University of Georgia does not have the best reputation (being one of the top ten party schools in America), that reputation actually has a positive side. The school’s promotion of social activities can be utilized as great opportunities to make friends and establish connections. While the quality of education is considered from the outside to not be outstanding, I would classify the content to simply be on par with the average four-year university – it isn’t Harvard or Georgia Tech. Even though the University of Georgia isn’t outstanding in its education overall, certain schools do stand out.” -Christian P., student at University of Georgia

Student Review: “The University of Georgia and its 35,000 students is everything I could have hoped for to truly enjoy my college experience. I’ve completed two years now and have loved every minute. There is nothing better than a Saturday Between the Hedges and the adrenaline rush that you feel at Sanford Stadium. However, being there for an upset at a basketball game in Stegeman is a close second. The food is to die for but could definitely be less expensive. The campus is beautiful at any time of the year, and even living off campus in my apartment complex has been a wonderful and unique experience.” -Tiffany B., student at University of Georgia

University of West Georgia
1601 Maple St
Carrollton, GA 30118-0001
(678) 839-5000
https://www.westga.edu/

Student Review: “My time at the University of West Georgia has been an invaluable learning experience. I am currently a junior and majoring in Early Childhood Education. Since I was a freshman, West Georgia’s education department has gone above and beyond to help me excel in this field. The teachers have been invaluable to me. One teacher stayed past her office hours on numerous occasions to go over classwork with me. For example, I had a major fear of public speaking which is important to any teacher. We stayed until nine o’clock at night going over note cards and techniques to keep me from being anxious. Even though she was not obligated to do this, she made sure I had the confidence to present my project. Faculty and students here do their best to welcome future teachers and connect on a personal level.” -Cory B., student at University of West Georgia

Valdosta State University
1500 N Patterson
Valdosta, GA 31698
(229) 333-5800
www.valdosta.edu

Wesleyan College
4760 Forsyth Rd
Macon, GA 31210-4462
(478) 477-1110
https://www.wesleyancollege.edu/

Student Review: “The teaching preparation program I completed at Wesleyan College was the best thing I did for my teaching career. In this program, we had small classes. I liked the small classes because it allowed me the opportunity to get help during class time on things I didn’t understand. We didn’t focus on tests; we mostly had class discussions allowing us to go more in-depth than the textbooks. Not only did we study the basic subjects, we also took classes on using art, music and physical education in elementary classrooms. This made the program more enjoyable because it gave me a plethora of ideas to use in my future classroom. The best thing about the whole program was the trip to the Ron Clark Academy. It opened my eyes to amazing ideas to use in the classroom. I wouldn’t change much in the program, except the way we submitted our portfolios. This created headaches due to the multiple hours of scanning, and the technological issues with the site used to upload the material.” -Student at Wesleyan College

An asterisk (*) denotes a two-year or certificate program in education. While a two-year degree will not qualify graduates for teacher certification, it can be a good starting point for a teaching career. To learn more about what you can do with this degree, see our guide to associate’s degrees in education.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
3. The Princeton Review. The Best 385 Colleges, 2020 Edition. The Princeton Review, 2019.
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
5. US News & World Report Best Online Graduate Education Schools 2019: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
6. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
7. National Council on Teacher Quality Teacher Preparation Program Review: https://www.nctq.org/review/home
8. US Department of Education 2018 Title II Reports: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx