Is a Career in Education the Best Option for Me?
Teachers receive an abundance of joy in seeing the difference they make as students gain new insights, become more interested in a subject, and learn
about themselves. Every day, teachers mold the future through impacting their students’ views and understandings. Teachers foster creativity, develop
character, give students lenses with which to view the world and provide students with the skills they need to reach their potential and lead productive
lives. Some people choose teaching as a career because they enjoy working with young people. Some pursue the profession because they are fascinated with
a particular subject area they want to share with learners, or because they are passionate about lifelong learning. Other individuals come to the profession
because they want to make a positive contribution to society. There is perhaps no other career that offers the same opportunities to give to others and
receive such a sense of accomplishment.
Review the steps you should take to become a certified Georgia teacher if you have not yet completed an educator certification program.
Use this tool to review the specific requirements, assessment, jobs and related information for the certificate that you are interested in.
State approval is the process through which the GaPSC affirms that educator preparation programs meet standards of quality so their completers will be
eligible for state educator certification. State-approved programs are professional education programs based on established state standards and delivered
as traditional or alternative routes to certification. Such programs, usually provided by colleges/universities, school systems, RESAs, private providers
or collaborative arrangements between any of these agencies, must be approved by the appropriate state agency in order to recommend candidates for certification.
Program standards and requirements are based on preparation necessary to obtain a certificate, and state-approved programs may or may not require a specific
degree. Georgia approved programs include those that result in certificates as well as endorsements.
- A listing of Georgia state-approved programs may be found here;
- An out of state institution of higher education providing educator preparation programs must also be upheld to standards of quality. For
example, the program must be state-approved where it is administratively based (in a state within the United States other than Georgia); and the program
must lead to certification upon successful completion.
Most Georgia educator certificates require some type of certification assessment. Please use the link above to learn more about the different types of assessments and the certificates and licenses for which each is required.
As a Georgia educator you will be held to high standards of professional and ethical conduct. An FBI background check will be completed upon employment
and a state background check will be required when you renew your certificate. Find out more.
College degrees, coursework, teacher assessments, and supervised practicums are all costly expenses; but there are a number of scholarships and loan forgiveness
programs available to help.
I’m certified and ready to work; how do I find a job and where do I apply?
Learn about the minimum accreditation standards required for a degree to be recognized by the GaPSC.
Certificate levels are assigned based on the highest acceptable degree held. This chart outlines the levels that correspond to various degrees.