There are twenty-eight Non-Traditional Educator Preparation Providers across the state of Georgia approved to offer programs that lead to certification. Regional educational service agencies (RESAs), school systems, and technical colleges provide alternative pathways to initial certification in teaching and leadership fields, and in the service field of Speech Language Associate. Many also offer a wide selection of endorsements that enhance an educator’s professional knowledge and skills while adding value to his/her current certificate.

Georgia Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy, GaTAPP, is Georgia’s only alternative route to initial teacher certification. Designed for those who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher but have not yet completed a teacher preparation program, these programs can be a good fit for career-changers as well as recent graduates from bachelor’s degree programs.

Georgia Alternative Preparation for Educational Leadership programs offer job embedded pathways for candidates seeking Tier I and or Tier II Leadership certification. Designed for educators who are looking for a certification-only (non-degree) pathway, these programs instruct, guide, and support employed leaders helping them build the confidence, skills, and presence needed to lead. Similarly, the Alternative Preparation for Speech Language Associate program offers a job-embedded pathway to certification for individuals who provide communication disorders support under the supervision of a certified Speech and Language Pathologist.

Alternative preparation is defined as a post-baccalaureate program designed for individuals who have not prepared as educators in a traditional preparation program. These programs, which lead to an educator preparation provider’s verification of meeting all requirements for Georgia certification, but not a degree, recognize candidates' earlier academic preparation and life experiences.

In order to earn and maintain GaPSC approval, non-traditional preparation programs must provide evidence of meeting the GaPSC approval standards and requirements described in applicable Educator Preparation Rules.