Elementary Education B.S.Ed. Certification

Follow these steps to complete the Georgia Southern application: 

• Create an application account.
• Complete our online application using the PIN you received after creating your application account.
• Once complete, pay the $30 application fee or upload a valid fee waiver. Previous Georgia Southern applicants and dual enrollment students do not need to pay the fee.

You can check your application status at My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/admissions three days after completing your application. This page contains live information about your admission status, including a checklist of missing documents we need to make a decision.

• Student Learning Outcome 1  (Content Knowledge):

Graduates of the Elementary Education program will demonstrate understanding of the content knowledge elementary educators must have in order to support children’s learning in the content areas, including Reading and English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, and Health, Physical Education, and the Arts.

• Student Learning Outcome 2  (Planning):

Graduates of the Elementary Education program will plan and utilize appropriate curricula and instructional practices that reflect a knowledge of individual children, the community, and curriculum goals and content; authentic, performance-based assessment of children’s learning; and environments and experiences that meet the needs of all individual children.

• Student Learning Outcome 3  (Instruction):

Graduates of the Elementary Education program will create learning experiences that demonstrate knowledge of how children differ in their development; implement a variety of instructional strategies to encourage children’s physical, social, emotional, aesthetic and cognitive development; differentiate strategies and environments to meet the specific needs of all children, including those with disabilities, developmental delays, or special abilities, maintain a positive learning environment with respect demonstrate sensitivity to differences in family structures and social and cultural backgrounds, and utilize formative and summative assessment strategies to plan effective instruction.

• Student Learning Outcome 4  (Effect on Student Learning):

Graduates of the Elementary Education program will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to assess and analyze student learning, make appropriate adjustments to instruction, monitor student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students through the planning and implementation of a unit of instruction.

• Student Learning Outcome 5:

Graduates of the Elementary Education program will demonstrate beliefs and behaviors that contribute to a professional demeanor necessary for an individual to be a successful teacher of students with diverse characteristics and abilities, including the ability to create caring and supportive learning environments, encourage self-directed learning by all students, and work with students, colleagues, and communities in ways that reflect the professional dispositions expected of professional educators.

The College of Education anticipates that graduates will seek initial certification in the following programs: BSEd-Elementary Education.

All programs meet the educational requirements for a teaching certificate in Georgia. The BSEd-EE program meets the requirements for certification in CT, FL, HI, KY, LA, NC, ND, NH, NM, PA, RI, UT, VT, VA and WA only. Unless listed above, Georgia Southern’s program does NOT meet educational requirements for certification in that state. Online students wishing to enroll in a program that does not meet requirements in their state of residence will be required to sign an attestation that indicates that they will seek GA licensure. Out-of-state students living in GA do not have to complete an attestation but may need to meet additional requirements in their home state after graduation.

Georgia Southern makes every effort to ensure information about educational requirements for licensure or certification is current; however, state requirements may change. Separate from educational requirements, state licensure boards may require applicants to complete professional examinations, background checks, years of professional experience, residence requirements, jurisprudence exams, training, etc. For more information, as well as for a list of applicable state boards, visit the Georgia Southern State Authorization and Professional Licensure Webpage.

For all Online Programs:
Federal Law requires colleges and universities to make certain disclosures to prospective students of these programs. These disclosures include information on the University’s authority to operate outside of Georgia, the complaint processes, adverse actions, refunds, and program closure. For required disclosures about online programs offered by the University, visit the Georgia Southern State Authorization and Professional Licensure Webpage.

The B.S.Ed. degree with a major in Elementary Education Professional Studies (Non-Certification Track) provides students who are interested in education the opportunity to take coursework focused on elementary education content areas. The degree allows for choice in several areas leading to a broad background. When accepted to the University, all education majors interested in Elementary Education are placed in the Elementary Education B.S.Ed. Professional Studies, (Non-Certification Track) program. This track does NOT lead to teacher certification. Upon meeting teacher education program admission requirements, those seeking teacher certification in Elementary Education will move into the Elementary Education B.S.Ed. (Certification Track) program.

All B.S.Ed. Elementary Education and Dual Certification majors are assigned to a professional advisor in the College of Education (COE) Advisement Center for program planning and course scheduling.  Undergraduate students are advised each term by appointment. Please visit the COE Advisement Center web page for a list of program advisors.

For change of major or transfer questions, contact the COE Advisement Center directly at 912-478-0698.