GaTAPP Eligible Teaching Fields

Georgia offers educator certificates in three categories: Teaching fields, Leadership fields and Service fields.

Teaching Fields - Teaching certificates are issued in fields that prepare an individual to teach the subject matter offered as a part of the school curriculum. These fields qualify under GATAPP®.

Two Fields Not Eligible for GaTAPP

Leadership Programs - These programs prepare individuals to administer or supervise a school system, school or school program. These advanced level certification programs require eligibility for a teaching or service clear renewable certificate and do not qualify under the GATAPP® program.

Service Fields - These programs prepare individuals to provide support services to students, school personnel and school operations. These certification programs are not available under the GATAPP® program.

Description of Teaching Field Options

Eligible Certification Fields and Related Path Requirements. Non-traditional preparation paths are available only for the teaching fields specified below. Service, leadership, and endorsement certifications are not offered through non-traditional routes.

Birth through Five Education (ages 0-5) and Early Childhood Education (grades P-5):

1. Note that there are no undergraduate or graduate degree outside of education that fully meet all of the requirements for preparation in Birth through Five Education (ages 0-5) and Early Childhood Education (grades P-5) Link to the two standards
2. Non-traditional paths to either of these two teaching fields require additional seminars/instruction and may involve additional fees.

Middle Grades Education (grades 4-8). Candidates interested in the non-traditional paths to certification in Middle Grades Education must have the following:

1. A bachelor's degree or higher with a major in a subject area in one of the following teaching fields: English Language Arts, reading, math, science, or Social Studies or a transcript assessment confirming successful completion of 15 semester hours in one of the above-mentioned teaching fields; OR
2. A major in a related field or experience that supports the knowledge and skills in the content area and a passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessment.
3. A passing score on the GACE Content Assessment in the teaching field prior to completion of the preparation and recommendation for Clear Renewable Certification if that assessment has not already been completed to fulfill an entry requirement path.

Secondary Education (grades 6-12). Candidates interested in the non-traditional paths to certification in Secondary Education fields of behavioral science, biology, chemistry, earth/space science, economics, English, geography, history, mathematics, physics, political science, science, and speech the PSC-approved path provider must have the following:

1. A major in the teaching field in which the candidate is assigned to teach or successful completion of 21 semester hours in upper level coursework (3rd and 4th year level courses) in the assigned teaching field; OR
2. If candidates are admitted having a major in a closely related field or having experience that supports the knowledge and skills in the content area, they must have a passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessment.
3. A passing score on the GACE Content Assessment in the teaching field prior to completion of the preparation and recommendation for Clear Renewable Certification if that assessment has not already been completed to fulfill an entry requirement path.

P-12 Certification Fields excluding Special Education. Candidates interested in the non-traditional paths to certification in the fields of Art, Foreign Language, Health Education, Health and Physical Education, or Music Education must have the following:

1. A major in the teaching field in which the candidate is assigned to teach or successful completion of 21 semester hours in upper level coursework (3rd and 4th year level courses) in the assigned teaching field; OR
2. If candidates are admitted having a major in a closely related field or having experience that supports the knowledge and skills in the content area, they must have a passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessment. The teaching fields of Drama and Dance are Permit only because there is no GACE Content Assessment;
3. A passing score on the GACE Content Assessment in the teaching field prior to completion of the preparation and recommendation for Clear Renewable Certification if that assessment has not already been completed to fulfill an entry requirement path.

(e) Special Education Fields. To receive approval to offer non-traditional paths to certification in the Special Education fields listed below the PSC-approved path provider must, in addition to meeting all standards and requirements stated in this rule, describe in the approval application how candidates will meet the special education content standards delineated in the appropriate PSC Preparation Rules. Candidates take additional seminars/instruction to meet the Special Education content standards because, outside of education programs, there are no related degrees for Special Education.

1. 505-2.-103 Special Education Academic Content Concentrations
2. 505-2-.104 Special Education Adapted Curriculum (P-12)
3. 505-2-.105 Special Education Behavior Disorders (P-12)
4. 505-2-.106 Special Education Deaf Education (P-12)
5. 505-2-.107 Special Education General Curriculum (P-12)
6. 505-2-.108 Early Childhood Special Education General Curriculum (P-5)
7. 505-2-.109 Special Education Learning Disabilities (P-12)
8. 505-2-.110 Special Education Physical and Health Disabilities (P-12)
9. 505-2-.111 Special Education Preschool (Ages 3-5)
10. 505-2-.112 Special Education Visual Impairment (P-12)

(f) Career and Technical Education Fields (grades 6-12). To receive approval to offer non-traditional paths to certification in Career and Technical Education fields the PSC-approved path provider must, in addition to meeting all standards and requirements stated in this rule, admit candidates that have baccalaureate degrees with a major in the teaching field, a major in a closely related field, or successful completion of 21 semester hours in coursework related to the certification field sought. Completers must pass the Industry Certification assessment or professional certification assessment to be issued the Technical Specialist Certificate, as specified in PSC Rules 505-2-.39, 505-2-.70, and 505-2-.96.