The Master of Education degree with a major in Adult and Career Education provides advanced, professional learning for individuals pursuing careers in teaching and leadership of adult and career education and related fields.  This program prepares students for working with adult learners in career education fields in the secondary and postsecondary education and private workforce education and government agency contexts. 

For more information, please visit our program page. 

The Doctor of Education degree with a major in Adult Learning & Development provides advanced, professional learning for individuals interested in technical and higher education, career and technical secondary education, community development, workplace training and development, and any other context in which adults are learning. This program prepares learners to engage thoughtfully and skillfully in their teaching-learning with adult learners by providing in-depth engagement in the theories of adult learning and development and curriculum design and facilitation, while also preparing learners to become independent practitioner-scholars with high-caliber research courses.

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in American Sign Language/English Interpreting is a rigorous hybrid (on-campus and distance learning) program that prepares you to work as professional interpreters, ensuring communication access in a variety of settings wherever hearing and D/deaf or hard of hearing people come together.  

Communication disorders can affect people of all backgrounds and involve problems with speech, language and auditory processing. People with communication disorders may have difficulty getting their message across or receiving communication from other sources. Students in the communication disorders program at Valdosta State University are introduced to the field of speech-language pathology and develop the intervention skills necessary to help individuals with communication disorders.

Communication disorders can affect people of all backgrounds and involve problems with speech, language and auditory processing. People with communication disorders may have difficulty getting their message across or receiving communication from other sources. Students in the communication disorders program at Valdosta State University are introduced to the field of speech-language pathology and develop the intervention skills necessary to help individuals with communication disorders.

The Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction: P-12 Disciplinary Concentration degree offers an engaging and flexible educational model designed to fit the busy schedules of working professional educators in a variety of instructional fields. Our innovative program provides practical opportunities for students to relate theoretical foundations to curricular and instructional issues facing schools and other educational systems. You will enjoy learning from our quality faculty whose real-world experience and knowledge has been acquired through many years learning, researching, and working in the domains of our field. Our program delivery includes online and hybrid options. Additionally, 2 required one-day doctoral seminars are held on a Saturday in Valdosta, GA in June at the beginning of year one and beginning of year 2. Electives will vary in delivery format based on your approved selections, and they must align with your declared disciplinary concentration.

Advantages of this program are:

• Approved by the GaPSC as an advanced program, which will lead to a certificate upgrade but will add no new field to your certificate.
• Students holding a valid GaPSC Standard Professional certificate (or higher) qualify for the Alternate Level 6 Certification Option upon successful completion of 36 credit hours and an approved portfolio.
• Students holding a valid GaPSC Standard Professional certificate (or higher) qualify for a Level 7 Certification upon successful degree completion.
• No GACE exam required
• Available concentrations include:

Art	Architectural Drawing / Design	Behavioral Sciences
Business Ed.	Curriculum & Instruction	Elementary Education
English	ESOL	Gifted
Health & Physical ED	History	Instructional Technology
Mathematics	Media specialist	Middle Grades Fields
Music	Political Science	Reading
Science	Spanish	SP ED Adapted Curriculum
SP ED General Curriculum	Speech	Trade and Industrial Fields

 

The field of curriculum and instruction involves improving curriculum and academic achievement in schools, enhancing teaching strategies and bringing creativity into classrooms. The curriculum and instruction program at Valdosta State University provides opportunities for experienced practitioners in a variety of instructional fields to further study curricular and instructional issues facing schools, school systems, higher education establishments and other educational agencies.

Through the combination of course work and field experiences, candidates will be able to develop the necessary competencies to become an entry-level leader.  The primary goal of the Internship Experience in the Master’s Degree or Certification-Only (Tier 1) Educational Leadership program is to link the theoretical and philosophical frameworks of educational leadership to actual practice.  This is accomplished with field experiences included as a part of the candidate’s program of study and documented through the candidate’s Inventory of Leadership Experience (ILE).

The Certification-Only Tier I Educational Leadership program is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related field experiences leading to a Tier I Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership. Candidates participating in the certification-only program may add the Tier I educational leadership certificate to an existing Level 5 Georgia certificate by completing the elements of this program not completed in another master’s program.

The Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Elementary Education prepares teacher candidates to teach and support students in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade in the field of elementary education. Successful completion of the program leads to a Georgia Professional Standards Commission Induction Level – T-4 certification in Elementary Education (P-5). 

The M.Ed. in Elementary Education program is fully online. Candidates will gain a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge, research, and dominant theories of elementary education to support effective teaching of young children. The program also builds a strong link to classroom instruction and implementation of knowledge and skills in elementary school settings.

Recognized for a T-5 certification status from Georgia Professional Standards Commission.  

Combining a content-rich Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a clinical-based Bachelor of Science in Education degree equips graduates with literary knowledge and writing expertise as well as extensive experience teaching in schools under the guidance of professional educators.

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Health and Physical Education program is an opportunity for college graduates who hold a bachelor's degree or more advanced degree in a content area from an accredited college or university to earn a master's degree in education and be recommended for a Georgia clear renewable T-5 teaching certificate. This is a 36-credit hour masters degree program requiring extensive field experiences and college course work. This program is designed for the preparation of teachers for core academic areas of health and physical education. Two options are available. Track one is for candidates who are current educators seeking certification in HPE and track two is for individuals who are not employed in education.

The Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) with a Major in Health and Physical Education prepares students to teach health and physical education from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Completion of the M.Ed program meets GaPSC standards for a T-5 certification. Candidates must currently hold a valid teaching certificate to enroll in the M.Ed. 

To further your career in higher education and/or student affairs, having a well-rounded understanding of how a university functions is imperative. Valdosta State University’s online Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership program provides you with an opportunity to apply what you’re experiencing in your practice to course work in higher education. The coursework provides a strong foundation in understanding higher education administration and governance, college student development and identity, assessment, research, finance and additional areas that can address your own desired competencies and outcomes.

Combining a content-rich Bachelor of Arts degree in History with a clinical-based Bachelor of Science in Education degree equips graduates with historical knowledge and analytical expertise as well as extensive experience teaching in schools under the guidance of professional educators.

Instructional Technology (IT) is a rapidly growing field of professional study and practice that values innovative use of technology and effective design for teaching and learning in the digital era. A master’s degree in this field prepares future instructional technology leaders and practitioners in diverse contexts: classrooms, school libraries, industry, and government.

The doctoral program in leadership (Ed.D.) develops capable, ethical, and diverse leaders who wish to effectively lead 21st century educational institutions and other organizations. This program connects the knowledge and inquiry skills developed in the core curriculum and research courses to the increasingly complex world of restructuring and organizational improvement. Students work with their academic advisor to select a cognate area that best fits their professional and academic goals. Cognates include: Organizational Leadership, Curriculum Leadership, Technology Leadership, Higher Education Leadership, and Special Education Leadership.

Program of Study

• Ed.D. Degree in Leadership Program of Study

The field of library and information science combines the disciplines of traditional library science and information technology to meet the needs of today’s ever-changing library systems. The Master of Library and Information Science program at Valdosta State University focuses on educating librarians for academic, public and special libraries in Georgia and beyond.

The MFT program addresses the interpersonal and social context of mental health and emotional problems. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to access and intervene in the interactions among people. It prepares students to use an active, positive approach to therapy that will help individuals and their families build upon their strengths, improve communication, and develop solutions to their problems.

Students who complete the major in Middle Grades will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. VSU’s Middle Grades program is approved by Georgia’s Professional Standards Commission, Georgia’s teacher certifying agency. All Middle Grades majors complete the core curriculum, Areas A-F, with area F being specific to Middle Grades concentration areas. Twenty-four hours in the major are also dedicated to the chosen concentration areas. Upon acceptance into teacher education, students have major specific courses. Upon graduation, students are Middle Grades certification eligible.

Valdosta State University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) initial certification program in either Middle Grades or Secondary Education, with two curriculum tracks. This program is designed for those who obtained an undergraduate degree in majors other than education.

The Employed Teacher track is for those who are currently teaching on a non-renewable (provisional) certificate. It is designed as a two year program; at the end of the first year a candidate may be recommended for initial renewable certification (T-4) and at the end of the second year a candidate may earn a master's degree (M.A.T.) with a T-5 certification.

The Full-Time Student track of the M.A.T. is a fifth year program beyond a bachelor's degree and is a full-time day time program in which candidates may earn a master's degree (M.A.T.) and renewable teaching certification in four semesters. Cohort groups begin in June or January.

Professionals in the field of office administration and technology are responsible for financial planning, billing, record keeping, personnel, physical distribution and logistics within an organization. They also plan work assignments for staff, supervise staff, request new office equipment and make repairs on existing equipment. The office administration and technology program at Valdosta State University prepares students for administrative, supportive and supervisory positions in business or industrial settings, professional offices, public institutions, and government agencies.

The Certification-Only Performance Based Leadership program is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related clinical experiences leading to a Tier II Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership.  Candidates participating in the certification-only program may add Tier II educational leadership certification to an existing Level 6 Georgia certificate by completing the elements of this program. Through the combination of course work and performance-based activities, candidates will develop the necessary competencies to become an educational leader. 

The Reading Endorsement is an online program specifically for Pre K-12 classroom teachers wishing to add reading expertise to their current State of Georgia Teacher Certification. The endorsement is designed to help meet the literacy needs of the students, regardless of content area or grade level. The program meets the competencies required by the Professional Standards Commission’s Georgia Reading Endorsement.

The Library Media Certification Only program offers an engaging and flexible educational model designed to fit the busy schedules of working educational professionals seeking certification in library media. Our program provides practical opportunities for students to practice the standards of the American Association of School Librarians; and to design, develop, utilize, manage, and evaluate instructional technology. You will enjoy learning from our quality faculty whose real-world experience and knowledge have been acquired through many years learning, researching, and working in instructional technology and school library media.

The structure of the Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Secondary Education is to prepare teacher candidates to teach and support students in a specific content discipline in grades 6-12. Successful completion of the program leads to a Georgia Professional Standards Commission Induction Level – T-4 certification.

Social workers help individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities restore and enhance their capacity for social functioning. Social Workers care about their fellow citizens, want to help people improve their situations and strive to make a positive difference in people’s lives. The social work program at Valdosta State University prepares students for clinical practice and licensure in social work and produces graduates who are qualified to practice with diverse populations in multiple settings.

The MAT in Special Education program develops content knowledge in the area of teaching in SPED general curriculum or SPED deaf/hard-of-hearing.  Students in this graduate program will demonstrate skills in assessment, instructional strategies, use of technology and monitoring/modifying instruction during observed teaching episodes evaluated by a university supervisor and P-12 mentor teacher.

Recognized for a T-5 certification status from Georgia Professional Standards Commission.

Workforce educators teach students of all ages the skills necessary to succeed in technical fields and other areas that require specific knowledge. Most students seeking a degree in workforce education and development have extensive career experience in their chosen fields. Students in the workforce education and development program at Valdosta State University can pursue one of four options in their quest to become professional educators: Workforce Training and Development, Secondary Career-Technical Education, Technical Leadership, or Human Resource Development.