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Georgia Southern University College of Education is the premier and primary educator of teachers in Southeast Georgia, and Eagle Educators are known throughout the state and nation for their achievements and dedication to the field of education. The College of Education offers students multiple program opportunities spanning all three Georgia Southern locations and online. Programs offered by the COE prepare future teachers, school psychologists, counselors, school library media specialists, instructional technologists, researchers and leaders through intensive field experiences, cutting-edge technology and research-based instruction. With more than 100 faculty members who are experts in the field, students learn in an environment exemplified by a free exchange of ideas, high academic expectations, and individual responsibility for academic achievement.

Program options include seven undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Education majors preparing students for initial teacher certification. At the graduate level, the College offers the Master of Arts in Teaching degree with six available concentrations, 12 master of education degrees, four education specialist degrees, and two doctoral degrees. The College also offers four certificate opportunities and eight graduate-level programs for educators seeking to add an endorsement to their certification.

Georgia Southern University has a strong reputation for producing successful educators after graduation. With a focus on hands-on learning and real-world experience, graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce. According to the Georgia Department of Education, “90% of BSED and MAT graduates between 2018-2021 are still employed as teachers in a public Georgia school district,” and “90% of BSED/MAT Elementary graduates, 92% of BSED/MAT graduates, and 91% of BSED/MAT Special Education graduates are still employed as teachers in a public Georgia school district” (source, GaDOE).

The success of the College’s initial preparation and advanced degree programs is linked to its extensive partnerships with regional schools, educational and community agencies, and other units of Georgia Southern University. These collaborations provide vital experiences and benefits to all involved. Whether a K-12 school utilizing the expertise of a COE faculty member or a counseling or school psychology graduate student working with an experienced professional in the field, partnerships are a fundamental role of the College.

For a full listing of programs please visit our COE Education Degree Programs web page.

COE Publications and News

  • Eagle Educator
    • College of Education’s annual magazine.
  • Southern Educator
  • National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Journal (NYAR Journal) 
    • An open-access, peer-reviewed online journal that publishes educational articles on how to reduce harmful risk conditions and promote the well-being of all youth, especially vulnerable youth in schools, families, and communities. The journal is a publication of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University and is sponsored by the National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference Savannah.
  • Research Briefs
  • Recent News

Wall of Honor

The College of Education’s Wall of Honor is a way for you to recognize and honor persons or groups for their contributions to the education profession. Teachers, professors, school leaders, businesses and community groups — they all have a place on our Wall of Honor. Help us grow the Wall of Honor Tree by adding a leaf through a gift of $1,200 or by adding a branch or foundation stone through a larger gift. Your gift to the College of Education at Georgia Southern University will be forever recognized on the Wall of Honor.

For more information please contact:
David Cutler
PO Box 8013
Statesboro, GA 30460
912-478-8527 – Office
dcutler@georgiasouthern.edu

COE Board of Advisors

The College of Education Board of Advisors is advisory to the College’s dean providing advice, guidance and support for the development of high quality programs in the College. The Board also assists in promoting a professional image and good relations with the larger community and development of effective collaboration with that community. The COE Board of Advisors meets biannually.

NameAffiliation
Dr. Joseph C., “Jody” Barrow-Chair 2023-2024Deputy Director for the Georgia School Superintendent Association (GSSA)
Mrs. Dayle BurnsRetired Educator in Effingham County and wife of State Representative and House Speaker, Jon Burns
Ms. LeeAnne CowartMember State Board of Education
Mrs. London CowartTeacher Librarian/Media Specialist at Stevens Creek Elementary Columbia County Schools, GA
Mrs. Sheila HoynesRetired Educator
Dr. Terry OattsCurrent Superintendent of Rockdale County Schools
Mr. Eddie PollardFormer Headmaster, Flint River Academy and retired principal of Fayette County Schools
Mr. Mike RoyalPast Chairman and current member of the State Board
of Education
Ms. Rebeccah PhillipsTeacher, Bethune Middle School
Ms. Chris Smith PyeOrganizational and Employee Specialist to School Systems and Corporations
Mr. Jeff ShattuckAssistant Principal at Gordon Central High School
Mr. Jerry SniderAttorney, Parallon Business Performance Group
Ms. Melodie WallCurriculum Coordinator, Effingham County Schools

Program Directors/Coordinators and Department Chairs

Department Chair: Kent Rittschof

Graduate ProgramsConcentration/
Location		Program Director
Curriculum Studies (Ed.D.)Statesboro CampusMarla Morris
Program Director
Evaluation, Assessment, Research, and Learning (M.Ed.)OnlineCordelia Zinskie
Program Director
Reading Education (Ed.S., M.Ed., & Endorsement)OnlineAlma Stevenson
Program Director
Applied Research and Evaluation (Graduate Certificate)OnlineCordelia Zinskie
Program Director

Interim Department Chair: Greg Chamblee

Graduate ProgramsConcentration/
Location		Program Director
Elementary Education (M.Ed.)Statesboro CampusKatie Brkich
Program Director
Special Education (M.Ed.)Mild Disabilities, Moderate-Severe DisabilitiesStephanie Devine
Co-Program Director
Kathryn Haughney
Co-Program Director
Curriculum & Instruction-Accomplished Teaching (M.Ed.)OnlineKymberly Harris
Program Director
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)Elementary Education-OnlineKatherine “Ariel” Cornett
Co-Program Director
Jarvais Jackson
Co-Program Director
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)Special Education-OnlineEric Landers
Co-Program Director
Barbara Serianni
Co-Program Director
Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (Endorsement)(Online)Kymberly Harris
Program Director
Undergraduate Programs
Elementary Education (B.S.Ed)Multi-CampusChianti Grant-Culver
Co-Program Director
Heather Huling
Co-Program Director
Dual Certification Elementary Education & Special Education (B.S.Ed.)Statesboro CampusCynthia Massey
Co-Program Director
Courtney Toledo
Co-Program Director
Special Education (B.S.Ed.)Statesboro CampusKymberly Harris
Co-Program Director
Cynthia Massey
Co-Program Director

Interim Department Chair: Mete Akcaoglu

Graduate ProgramsConcentration/
Location		Program Director
Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)Statesboro CampusElise Cain
Program Director
School Psychology (Ed.S.)Statesboro CampusTerry Diamanduros
Program Director
Counselor Education (M.Ed.)Statesboro CampusRichard Cleveland
Program Director
Counselor Education (M.Ed.)School CounselingRichard Cleveland
Program Coordinator
Counselor Education (M.Ed.)Clinical Mental Health CoordinatorPam Wells
Program Coordinator
Educational Leadership (M.Ed., & Tier 1 Certificate)OnlineJuli McBrayer
Program Director
Higher Education Administration (M.Ed.)Statesboro Campus (Hybrid) or OnlineDaniel Calhoun
Program Director
Instructional Technology (Ed.S., M.Ed., Graduate Certificate & ITEC Minor)OnlineLucas Jensen
Co-Program Director
Robin Wofford
Co-Program Director
School Library Media (Graduate Certificate)OnlineLucas Jensen
Co-Program Director
Robin Wofford
Co-Program Director
Online Teaching and Learning (Endorsement)OnlineLucas Jensen
Co-Program Director
Robin Wofford
Co-Program Director
Teacher Leadership (Endorsement)OnlineJuli McBrayer
Program Director

Interim Department Chair: Amee Adkins

Graduate ProgramsConcentration/
Location		Program Director
Teaching and Learning (P-12) (Ed.S.)OnlineRegina Rahimi
Program Director
Middle Grades Education (M.Ed.)OnlineShelli Casler-Failing
Program Director
Secondary Education (M.Ed.)OnlineShelli Casler-Failing
Program Director
Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (M.Ed.)OnlineAlex Reyes
Program Director
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)Health and Physical Education (P-12) OnlineTony Pritchard
Program Director
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)Middle Grades Education OnlineLacey Huffling
Program Director
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)Secondary Education OnlineLacey Huffling
Program Director
Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)Spanish Education (P-12) Statesboro CampusAngela Pinilla-Herrera
Interim Program Director
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Education (Endorsement) Undergraduate and Graduate LevelOnline (Graduate Level)
Statesboro (Undergraduate Level)		Alex Reyes
Program Director
Gifted In-Field (Endorsement) Undergraduate and Graduate LevelOnlineLina Soares
Program Director
Teacher Support and Coaching (Endorsement)OnlineRegina McCurdy
Program Director
Undergraduate Programs
Health and Physical Education
(B.S.Ed.)		StatesboroStarla McCullom
Program Director
Middle Grades Education (B.S.Ed.)Statesboro CampusTaylor Norman
Program Director
Secondary Education (B.S.Ed.)Armstrong and Statesboro CampusElizabeth Barrow
Program Director

DegreeConcentration/
Location		Program Director
Art Education B.S.Armstrong CampusJeff Garland
Program Contact
Human Development and Family Science B.S. Concentration in Birth Through Kindergarten (deactivated – in teach out)Armstrong CampusAnne Valauri
Program Director
Music Education B.M.Statesboro CampusDavid Langley
Program Contact