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James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services

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James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services

SPECIALIST, DOCTORAL, MINORS, CERTIFICATIONS

  • Adult Learning and Development

    Ed.D.

    VSU doctoral program  recognized as the #1 Most Affordable Doctoral Program by EdDPrograms.org.

    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.

  • Coaching

    Minor

    This fully online coaching minor is based on the Coaching Education National Standards issued by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. This minor is useful for those interested in sports programs, recreation, travel leagues, and more.  Students are not required to be in an education major to enroll in the coaching minor courses. 

    Careers

    • Athletic Administration & Management
    • Coaching Assistant
    • Fitness Center Manager
    • Interscholastic & Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Personal Trainer
    • See more careers
  • Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education

    Ed.S.

    The Ed.S. in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education is a rigorous academic program of 27 The Ed.S. in Coaching Pedagogy in Physical Education is a fully online 30-hour program.

    This specialist program offers the chance to continue developing knowledge and skills. Specialized advanced content is designed to address excellence in coaching and educate teachers through coaching studies. Course objectives and requirements align with the National Association for Sport and Physical Education National Standards for Sport Coaches.

    Graduates meeting all criteria may be eligible for upgrade to T-6 certification in the state of Georgia or reciprocal states.

    Careers

    • Athletic Administration & Management
    • Athletic Director
    • Coach
    • Consultant
    • Fitness Center Manager
    • See more careers
  • Curriculum & Instruction: P-12 Disciplinary Concentration

    Ed.D.

     

    VSU doctoral program  recognized as the #1 Most Affordable Doctoral Program by EdDPrograms.org.

    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

     

  • Deaf Studies

    Minor

    A minor in Deaf Studies was established by Valdosta State University to provide students with knowledge and skills in American Sign Language (ASL) as well as Deaf Culture, linguistics. Students pursing a minor in Deaf Studies are exposed to the uniqueness of ASL as a world language while acquiring cultural knowledge that will enable them to successfully interact with the American Deaf community. The curriculum is designed to promote a cultural and linguistic understanding of Deaf individuals while encouraging students to analyze existing stereotypes pertaining to this population, so they in turn, can effectively educate hearing members of society.

    The Deaf Studies Minor is housed in the Department of Teacher Education and is part of the ASL and Deaf Education programs.  

    This minor complements any career in which you will be interacting with people.

  • Educational Leadership

    Ed.S.

    The Educational Specialist’s Degree in Educational 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.  The Education Specialist’s Degree program incorporates clinical practice linking theoretical and philosophical frameworks of educational leadership to actual practice.  Through the combination of course work and performance-based activities, candidates will be able to develop the necessary competencies to become an educational leader.

  • Educational Leadership (Tier I)

    Certification Only

    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.

  • Health and Physical Education

    Minor

    The minor in Health and Physical Education is designed to develop your attitudes and behaviors by focusing on current health issues and strategies. It is open to students from any major who are interested in health, physical education, fitness, and wellness. Our program provides coursework that you can utilize to improve your personal health and physical fitness in conjunction with career preparation. It is not designed to meet requirements for Georgia public school certification in health and physical education.

    Careers

    • Aerobics Instructor
    • Performance Analyst
    • Personal Trainer
    • Sports and Recreation Management
    • Sports Camp Director
    • See more careers
  • Instructional Technology: P-12 Technology Applications

    Ed.S.

    The Ed.S. in Instructional Technology with a P-12 Technology Applications concentration offers an exciting and practical way to enhance the learning environment of the students with whom you work. 

    The program is

    • Delivered completely online,
    • Takes only 30 semester-hours, and
    • Offers three guided elective courses, which you choose in conjunction with advisors. Elective concentrations include online teaching, multimedia, technology leadership, adult education, and more.

    During the program, ongoing application of the instructional design knowledge you gain, and implementation of the new technology tools you learn will be central. Successful completion of the degree and associated GACE exam leads to a GaPSC service certificate at level 6 in Instructional Technology. Aligned to ISTE Coach’s NETS and the GA PSC Instructional Technology standards, our up-to-date program provides valuable opportunities for students to prepare to be technology coaches, coordinators, or instructional technologists in public schools. One recent graduate commented, “I thrive on feedback. I seek it out, and the design of this program is wonderful for that. I have learned so much from working with my classmates in these classes. I also intend to continue my relationships with these people.”

  • Instructional Technology: P-12 Technology Applications with School Library Media Add-on

    Ed.S.

    The Ed.S. in Instructional Technology that leads to the P-12 Instructional Technology Certification can result in an add-on School Library Media Certification is a 36-hour program of study that helps prepare you to successfully pass the Media Specialist GACE. It is an inventive program of study that qualifies students to take the Media Specialist GACE and apply for certification in School Library Media at the level of certification they bring to the program. A level upgrade to Level 6 is, however a potential result of successful completion of the program because of the instructional technology core of the program that leads to certification in Instructional Technology. Coursework offers continuous opportunities to apply new technology tools in the learning environment in which you work, while at the same time developing the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective School Library Media Specialist. Successful completion of the degree and Instructional Technology GACE makes graduates eligible for a Level 6 service certificate in IT. Come join the online learners at Valdosta State and take advantage of the qualified team of instructors who are committed to making your learning experience a practical and valuable one.

  • Instructional Technology: Technology Applications (Non P-12 School Personnel)

    Ed.S.

    The Ed.S. in Instructional Technology with a Technology Applications concentration for non-P12-school-based professionals offers an interactive, online educational model designed to work around busy schedules in a variety of fields. Our commitment to guide students to practically apply the tenets of IT theories, to integrate research and practice in the field, and to develop competency in project management, instructional design, and technology tools opens the opportunity for graduates to be technology coaches, coordinators, or instructional technologists in a variety of contexts: business, industry, government, the military, health fields, and higher education. Join us online at VSU and be among those who can say, “The skills I developed in evaluating technology in this program are utilized continuously in my career. I am seen as a leader in the use of our technology resources.”

  • Leadership

    Ed.D.

    VSU doctoral program  recognized as the #1 Most Affordable Doctoral Program by EdDPrograms.org.

    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

  • Performance-Based Leadership (Tier II)

    Certification Only

    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. 

  • Recreation and Leisure Minor

    Minor

    The Recreation and Leisure minor provides a variety of courses during the Fall and Spring semesters that prepare you for working in a sports facility, recreation facility, parks, and more.

    Careers

    • Government Agencies
    • Non-profit organizations
    • Parks and Recreation Management
    • Private Organizations/Clubs
    • Sports and Recreation Management
  • School Counseling

    Ed.S.

    The mission of the Valdosta State University School Counseling Program is to educate professionals who will be leaders in the school environment and who accept responsibility for removing barriers and offering equal access to services for all students.  The main emphasis of the School Counseling Program is to train school counselors who function as leaders utilizing data, advocacy, collaboration and consultation to provide academic, career, and personal/social counseling and services to assist students from diverse backgrounds in achieving high levels of academic success.

    Effective for students starting the EdS in School Counseling in Fall 2021, the degree requires 30 hours. Your advisor will provide you with a program of study that reflects this change.

  • School Library Media

    Certification Only

    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.

  • Special Education

    Ed.S.

    The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Special Education is designed for practicing special educators who hold a master's degree in special education (or related field such as speech language pathology, deaf education, vocational rehabilitation, or adapted physical education) who wish to advance their professional skills in special education. Information and skills in special education acquired and developed at the undergraduate and master’s level in special education are specifically designed for and focused on the provision of services. The Ed.S., however, focuses on knowledge and skills necessary for leadership roles and advanced teaching positions in special education.

    Careers

    • Director of programs for individuals with disabilities
    • Special Education Administrator
    • Special Education Coordinator
    • Teacher, T-6 Certification
  • Teacher Leadership

    Ed.S.

    The Teacher Leadership Ed.S. Degree is an advanced degree that prepares educators to meet the GaPSC Teacher Leadership standards providing a foundation for effective collaboration with students, parents, and colleagues. By completing this online degree and passing the appropriate Georgia content assessment, candidates will be eligible for the new Teacher Leadership (level 6) certification

    Careers

    • Department-level Chair
    • Executive Team Leader
    • Grade-level Chair
    • Instructional Leader
    • Instructional/Academic Coach