Definition

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission defines an initial preparation program as one "designed to prepare candidates for their first professional certificate in a teaching, leadership, or service field. Examples include degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, or higher levels; or post-baccalaureate programs, non-degree certification-only programs, and non-traditional programs such as the GaTAPP program. Programs leading to an educator’s first certificate in a particular field are considered initial preparation even if the educator is certified in one or more other fields" (Rule 505-3-.01, 2016).

Certification Programs for Students with Degrees

Students who already have a degree and are coming to Valdosta State University to obtain a teaching certificate must meet the requirements for admission to Teacher Education and be accepted into a certification-only program. The student’s prior academic course work will be used to design a plan of study to satisfy the standards for certification through the approved GaPSC program. A part of the certification requirements, as determined by each department for individual students, must be completed at ·¬ÇÑÖ±²¥app.

To find the program admission information for Certification-Only programs Education Leadership and P-12 School Leadership, select "Program Admissions" and click on the Leadership major.