For more information about MUSIC (P-12) certification, please refer to the rule 505-2-.85 MUSIC.

OPTION 1: Georgia Approved Program

1. Completion of a GaPSC-approved certification preparation program in Music at the bachelor’s degree level or higher at a Georgia institution.

2. Receive a professional recommendation for initial certification in Music from the authorized college certification officer, verifying the following requirements have been met, including:

a. A passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Assessments or verification of meeting exemption requirements.

b. A passing score on the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Music.

c. Coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children.

d. Recency of Study.

Georgia program completers who meet items #1 and #2 under Option 1 except Recency of Study can be issued a 1-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time to complete the Recency coursework.

OPTION 2: Out-of-State Program

1. Completion of a state-approved initial certification preparation program in Music at the bachelor’s degree level or higher in another state, including a student teaching internship.

2. Completion of all Special Georgia Requirements applicable to the field of Music, including:

a. A passing score on the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Music.

b. Coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children.

c. Recency of Study.

Out-of-state program completers meeting item #1 listed under Option 2 but lacking any of the Special Georgia Requirements may be issued a 3-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time for completion of requirements.

OPTION 3: Out-of-State Certificate (Initial Reciprocity)

1. Completion of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution.

2. Verification of holding or having held a professional certificate from another state in Music.

3. Completion of all Special Georgia Requirements applicable to the field of Music, including:

a. A passing score on the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Music or provide verification of passing a Music content area assessment required for certification in another state. A copy of the official score report and certificate issued as a result of passing that state’s content area test is required.

b. Coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children.

c. Recency of Study.

Out-of-State certificate holders applying for initial certification in Georgia who meet items #1 & #2 under Option 3 but are lacking one or more Special Georgia Requirements are eligible for 3-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate in Music at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time for completion of requirements.

Out-of-state certificate holders under Option 3 may qualify to exempt all Special Georgia Requirements, except standards of conduct, by verifying a minimum of three years of acceptable full-time out-of-state Music teaching experience on a valid out-of-state certificate in Music within five years preceding the date of the certification application.

OPTION 4: Adding the field of Music

1. Applicants who hold a valid Clear Renewable Level 4 or higher Georgia educator certificate in any TEACHING field may add the teaching field of Music by passing the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Music.

2. Applicants who hold a valid Clear Renewable Georgia educator certificate in any SERVICE field may add the teaching field of Music by completing the following requirements:

a. Pass the GACE Professional Pedagogy Assessments.

b. Pass the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Music.

c. Complete a 1-year supervised practicum in the field of Music through the Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy (GaTAPP).

d. Complete any additional Special Georgia Requirements applicable to the field of Music, including coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children, if not previously completed.

3. Applicants who hold a valid Clear Renewable Georgia educator certificate in a LEADERSHIP field who do not also hold a valid teaching field must complete a state-approved add-on certification preparation program in Music, including all applicable Special Georgia Requirements (i.e., coursework in identifying and educating exceptional children, Georgia state-approved content area assessment). The program may be completed through a traditional route or a non-traditional route (GaTAPP). Items #1 and #2 in Option 4 are not available.

Educators who hold a valid Clear Renewable Level 4 or higher level Georgia educator certificate in any field may be issued a 3-year Non-Renewable Professional certificate in Music at the request of a Georgia school system to allow time to complete requirements to add the field.

OPTION 5: Non-Renewable Non-Professional entry-level certificate

Applicants who have completed a bachelor’s or higher degree from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution may be eligible for a Non-Renewable Non-Professional certificate in Music by meeting the following entry-level requirements:

1. If a bachelor's degree is the highest earned degree, have graduated with a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. If the GPA is below the minimum, the applicant must verify acceptance to an educator preparation program or a master’s degree program from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution. If the bachelor's degree was completed 10 or more years from the date of application, the GPA requirement is not applicable. If the highest degree is a master's degree earned from a GaPSC-accepted accredited institution, the GPA requirement is not applicable.

2. Pass the GACE Basic Skills Assessments or verify meeting exemption requirements.

3. Pass the Georgia state-approved content area assessments in Music.

4. Be employed in a Georgia school system in a Music teaching position.

The initial Non-Renewable Non-Professional certificate in Music is issued at the request of the Georgia school system for 3 years during which time the applicant completes the initial state-approved certification preparation program leading to Clear Renewable certification in Music. The program must include clinical practice or a student teaching internship. A traditional or non-traditional initial certification preparation program may be completed.

OPTION 6: Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy - GaTAPP

The GaTAPP non-traditional certification preparation program offers alternatives to traditional certification preparation. All program paths require employment in a Georgia school system. Please contact a GaTAPP program provider for further advisement on enrollment qualifications.

OPTION 7: Permit

A performing artist with experience in music may be issued an initial permit to teach Music if the applicant meets the following conditions:

1.    Has completed a minimum of a high school diploma or GED equivalency.

2.    Has a minimum of 3 years of experience in the field of music.

3.     Is employed in a Georgia school system in a Music Education teaching position.

The initial permit is valid for 2 years. The employing school system may request renewal of the permit for an additional 3 years if the applicant has passed (or exempted) the GACE Basic Skills Assessments, has passed the Georgia state-approved content assessment in Music, and satisfied the school system’s professional development plan, to include a course in identifying and educating exceptional children.