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Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certification

The Post Baccalaureate Certification Programs are designed for the teacher candidate who already holds a bachelor’s degree in another field and wants to become a certified teacher. The teacher candidate may choose between Middle Grades or Secondary Education.

One of the Division’s greatest strengths is the faculty who are experienced PK-12 educators, scholars and leaders in the field. They are deeply committed to your intellectual growth, and you will be challenged as well as nurtured by them.

“Making the decision to attend Thomas University was by far the best one I have ever made. TU is not only preparing me with the best education and great field experience opportunities, it is also giving me the flexibility to continue to work as a para-professional and attend classes on Saturdays.

I’m excited to put to practice all the wonderful knowledge I have gained from my professors in my own classroom!”

Consuelo Cortez Varn, 2019

+Admissions

Students interested in pursing the Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Education need first to be admitted to the University. Additional requirements must be met prior to being accepted into the major courses and student teaching.

 

To get started:

Students with no prior college, please provide an official high school transcript or GED. Students with prior college credit must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. 

Send official transcripts to admissions@thomasu.edu

or

Admissions Office
Thomas University
1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792

Students applying for initial teaching certification (Middle Grades or Secondary Education) must complete all the University admission requirements as well as complete the Teacher Education Packet (including signing up for an interview).

Note:  Some requirements are time sensitive (i.e. GACE Admission Test, background check and the pre-service certification application).  This means you must plan for the completion of these items well in advance of your desired start date.

+Careers

The Bachelor’s degree in Education leads to initial teacher certification in Georgia. Middle Grades certification is available in two content areas (language arts, mathematics, science or social studies) for grades 4-8. Secondary certification is available in mathematics or English for grades 6-12.

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the teaching profession will grow considerably in the next decade, with more than 1.5 million jobs for teachers.  You could be one of them!

Becoming a teacher offers you:

  • The opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of children.
  • Satisfaction of contributing to your community.
  • A chance to change the future.
  • An outlet for your creativity.
  • A work environment where no two days are ever a like.
  • A job surrounded by energetic young people who help you retain a sense of playfulness and possibility.

You will also have the opportunity to continue your education with an advanced degree in education at Thomas University. TU offers Master of Education degrees in:

  • Elementary Education
  • Middle Grades Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Language Arts
  • Secondary Mathematics
  • Secondary English
  • Curriculum and Instruction

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

+Why TU?

 

I would recommend the TU Education program to anyone who is thinking about becoming a teacher. It is the best program in Georgia!
Jacinta Roan, 2016

 

  • Early and frequent opportunities to co-teach in local schools with a master teacher;
  • Low student-to-faculty ratio of 1:10;
  • Traditional campus-based format, plus a Saturday format option;
  • Three-year, 100% pass rate on state certification exams (edTPA and GACE);
  • Job placement rate in local schools 100%;
  • Work experience credit offered to qualified para-professionals;
  • Faculty are experience in K-12 education, highly credentialed and supportive of students;
  • Financial aid and monthly payment plans are available;
  • Thomas University is ranked among the most affordable private institutions in Georgia, according to the Georgia Independent College Association.

+Middle Grades

The Middle Grades Education program is designed to prepare professional educators to teach grades 4-8. Teacher candidates majoring in Middle Grades Education select an area of concentration from mathematics, language arts, science and social studies. The program emphasizes understanding of adolescent development, educational psychology, curriculum, assessment and teaching strategies particular to middle grades education.

 

A student who possesses a bachelor’s degree in one of the certification fields from an accredited institution of higher education generally meets some of the content requirements. A thorough transcript evaluation will be conducted and courses not taken will be required as part of the student’s Post Baccalaureate Program. Students should consult with their academic advisor for course selection.

  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Methods and Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Methods & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Middle Grade Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Educating Exceptional Learners
  • Student Teaching Seminar
  • Student Teaching
Content Requirements
  • Composition II
  • Argumentative and Persuasive Writing
  • Child and Adolescent Literature
  • Academic Discourse Applications
Choose two of the following:

  • American Literature Survey I
  • American Literature Survey II
  • British Literature Survey I
  • British Literature Survey II
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Methods and Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Methods & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Middle Grade Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Educating Exceptional Learners
  • Student Teaching Seminar
  • Student Teaching
Content Requirements
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Set Theory
  • Introduction to Probability Theory
  • Geometry
  • Developing Algebraic Concepts
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Methods and Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Methods & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Middle Grade Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Educating Exceptional Learners
  • Student Teaching Seminar
  • Student Teaching
Content Requirements
  • General Biology I
  • General Biology II
  • Physical Science I
  • Physical Science II

+Secondary Education

The Secondary English Education Program and Secondary Mathematics Education Program are designed to prepare professional educators to teach grades 6-12. For admission, retention and graduation requirements, please refer to the section entitled Specific Admission and Retention Requirements.

 

A student who possesses a bachelor’s degree in one of the certification fields from an accredited institution of higher education generally meets some of the content requirements. A thorough transcript evaluation will be conducted and courses not taken will be required as part of the student’s Post Baccalaureate Program. Students should consult with their academic advisor for course selection.

  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Educational Research
  • Teacher as Researcher
  • Applying Technologies for Effective Instruction
  • Current Issues and Trends in Education
  • Educational Assessment and Decision Making
  • Collaborative Classrooms through Social Emotional Learning
  • Set Theory
  • Applying Algebraic Concepts
  • Applying Geometric Concepts
  • Concepts & Applications of Probability and Statistics
Total Credits 33
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Educational Research
  • Teacher as Researcher
  • Applying Technologies for Effective Instruction
  • Current Issues and Trends in Education
  • Educational Assessment and Decision Making
  • Collaborative Classrooms through Social Emotional Learning
  • Rhetorical Theory and the Craft of Argument
  • Poetry (Genre Study)
  • Race, Gender and Culture in Modern American Literature
  • Studies in Shakespeare
Total Credits 33

Fieldwork Information

Thomas University

Education that Engages
...Empowers...
Transforms

1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792
229.226.1621
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