This program
Best fit for:
- Students who already have a master’s degree
Who will my professors be?
QUESTIONS?
Our Graduate Admissions team can help!
Graduate Admissions
P: 706-778-8500 x. 1352
E: grad@piedmont.edu
Commit to improving education within your organization and beyond.
The Piedmont University College of Education offers the Education Specialist degree (EdS) in several fields. Individuals with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
At Piedmont, we offer four options for students interested in pursuing an Education Specialist Degree:
Art Education – Advanced Certification
*Summer Start Only
Teachers build bridges to the future. Art teachers spark curiosity, ensuring those bridges lead to interesting places.
The Education Specialist degree program in Art Education is an advanced certification program designed to prepare professional educators to attain distinguished levels of both theory and practice and to become contributing members in the professional discourse of improving schooling in roles such as director of art education, department head, or curriculum coordinator.
Applicants must currently hold certification in Art Education in order to qualify for a certificate upgrade upon completion.
Interested applicants should apply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
How are we different?
The EDS is a 100% online degree for Individuals with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university who may wish to pursue course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
Curriculum and Instruction – Initial Certification
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is a sixth-year graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction. Individuals with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is offered on the campuses in Demorest and Athens, as well as through our online graduate programs.
Georgia-certified educators who successfully complete the Education Specialist program and pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) in Curriculum and Instruction are recommended for a Service certificate (S-6), making them eligible for a certificate upgrade.
Curriculum and Instruction – Certificate Upgrade
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is a sixth-year graduate program in Curriculum and Instruction. Individuals with a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from an accredited college or university may wish to pursue advanced course work that will enhance their teaching skills and/or prepare them for instructional leadership roles in their schools or school districts.
The Education Specialist degree (EdS) is offered on the campuses in Demorest and Athens, as well as through our online graduate programs.
Georgia-certified educators who successfully complete the Education Specialist program are recommended for a Service certificate (S-6), making them eligible for a certificate upgrade.
Music Education – Advanced Certification
*Summer Start Only
The Education Specialist degree program in Music Education is an advanced program designed to prepare professional educators to attain distinguished levels of both theory and practice and to become contributing members in the professional discourse of improving schooling in roles such as director of music, department head, or curriculum coordinator. Applicants must currently hold certification in Music Education (P-12) in order to qualify for a certificate upgrade upon completion.
Interested applicants should apply through the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Eligibility for application requires a master’s degree with a 3.5 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university and two or more years of verified successful teaching experience at a public or a private school accredited by the Southern Association of Universitys and Schools (SACS) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level.*
Applicants must also submit:
- Graduate Admissions Application
- Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding your master’s degree. (Piedmont University transcripts are on file.)
- Three professional references, one each from:
- Supervising administrator
- Former professor or instructor (college instructor, staff development instructor or mentor)
- Professional colleague
- We reserve the right to request the GRE Admissions test if the admissions committee deems it necessary to make an acceptance decision.
- Copy of valid, current professional certificate at the appropriate level for Georgia educators seeking certificate upgrade. Alternatively, candidates from independent schools should submit a letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)
- Letter of Intent
- Professional Activities Resume
- Verification of Professional Experience (two years)* at the time of application
- Personal Affirmation Form
* For Art Education EDS you must verify three years of professional teaching experience.
Prepare to take on leadership roles in your school or district
Where do I start?
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