Professional Endorsements
Why Pursue a Professional Endorsements Certificate?
If you are interested in a career in education – whether studying for an education degree or achieving a teaching certificate – you may want to consider additional endorsement opportunities. Enhancing your resume with one of four endorsement certificates that Piedmont University offers will give you a meaningful step up in your career goals, as well as help you to pursue some intriguing opportunities in education.
Piedmont University offers four endorsements that will boost any resume: Gifted education, autism spectrum disorder, instructional coaching, and dyslexia education. These endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and will open new doors in your educational career, as well as make your resume more intriguing for a wide range of public and private school systems in the state of Georgia.
How a Piedmont Professional Endorsements Certificate Helps You
- Broaden your employment and educational opportunities by establishing credentials in a specific area of study.
- Learn how to teach very specific areas of study: Gifted education, autism spectrum disorder, instructional coaching, and dyslexia education.
- Know that this certification is recognized by public and private systems throughout the state of Georgia.
Career Opportunities
A Professional Endorsements Certificate from Piedmont opens doors and a wide range of professional pursuits. These endorsements have been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) and will open new doors in your educational career, as well as make your resume more intriguing for a wide range of public and private school systems in the state of Georgia.
A Professional Endorsement Certificate enhances a career in Public Schools by allowing educators to expand their qualifications, specialize in additional subject areas, or move into leadership roles. It demonstrates advanced competency and supports career growth within the school system.
A Professional Endorsement Certificate enriches an educator’s qualifications in Private Schools by deepening subject-area knowledge or adding new instructional competencies. It supports flexible teaching assignments and leadership opportunities, aligning with the personalized and mission-driven approach of independent education.
More About Professional Endorsements Certificate
Learn more about Professional Endorsements Certificate and the variety of options available to you as a Piedmont student.
The length of time required to complete the certificate-only option at Piedmont varies, and each professional endorsement has unique requirements. See below for further information.
Candidates in undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs at Piedmont University may, with the help of their faculty advisor, elect to take a sequence of three foundational courses that lead to the addition of the gifted in-field endorsement to a Georgia teaching certificate. Additionally, certified Georgia educators seeking the endorsement may apply to Piedmont’s office of graduate admissions to register for the Gifted In-Field Endorsement courses as a non-degree seeking student.
Each of the three courses is offered online during the fall, spring and summer semesters; candidates may complete the endorsement in as little as three consecutive 8-week sessions or enroll in classes across a program of study.
Undergraduate degree candidates register for the following 4000 level required courses and graduate students and professional educators register for the following 7000 level required courses:
- EDUC 4421/7721: Characteristics of Gifted Students
- EDUC 4422/7722: Assessment of Gifted Students
- EDUC 4423/7723: Programs, Curriculum, and Methods for Gifted Students
For more information, contact Dr. Angela Brown by email or at 706-548-8505 x8014.
Candidates in graduate and undergraduate teacher education programs at Piedmont University may, with the help of their faculty advisor, elect to take a sequence of three courses, making them eligible for an endorsement in autism. Additionally, individuals seeking the endorsement may apply to Piedmont’s office of graduate admissions to pursue the endorsement as a non-degree student.
Required courses:
- EDUC 6685/EDUC 4485 Characteristics of Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- EDUC 6686/EDUC 4486 Instructional Methods for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- EDUC 6687/EDUC 4487 The Autism Advisor
For more information about the Endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder, contact Dr. Candice Southall by email, or at 706-548-8505 x1781.
Candidates in graduate teacher education programs at Piedmont University may, with the help of their faculty advisor, elect to take a sequence of three courses, making them eligible for an Instructional coaching endorsement. Additionally, individuals seeking the endorsement may apply to Piedmont’s office of graduate admissions to pursue the endorsement as a non-degree student.
Required courses:
- EDUC 7761 Coaching Endorsement-Adult Learning & Supervision
- EDUC 7762 Coaching Endorsement-Collaborative Interprofessional
- EDUC 7763 Coaching Endorsement-Current Issues
For more information, contact Kelly Land by email, or at 706-778-3000 x1313.
Piedmont University's fully online Dyslexia Endorsement is designed to equip educators with specialized knowledge and skills to address the distinctive needs of students with dyslexia. Through a series of three online courses, graduate and undergraduate students will learn the latest research. assessment techniques. and evidence-based instructional practices to effectively support learners with dyslexia. Our engaging curriculum fosters a comprehensive understanding of dyslexia and empowers educators to cultivate inclusive learning environments conducive to student success. By completing our Dyslexia Endorsement program you'll be empowered to Impact the lives of students with dyslexia significantly. Students must achieve a minimum grade of B in each course of this endorsement, ensuring a thorough mastery of the material and upholding our commitment to academic excellence.
Endorsement Program
Per PSC requirements: Candidates must earn a grade of ‘B' or higher in each required course to be recommended for the Dyslexia Endorsement.
Required Courses
| EDUC 6631 | Reading Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 6656 | Introduction to Dyslexia | 3 |
| EDUC 6659 | Structured Literacy Instruction and Intervention | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 | |
Total Credit Hours: 9
To enroll in Piedmont’s professional endorsements certificate program, you must be a student in good standing at Piedmont (in pursuit of a degree) or, if you are not currently a Piedmont student, have a minimum of a master’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university. Applicants must also provide/complete:
- Graduate Admissions Application
- Official, final transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
- Two Professional References
- Personal Affirmation Form
- If you are a returning BA or MA Educational Studies graduate from Piedmont University, you may return within five years as a certification only student. A prerequisite for admission as a certification-only student is successful completion of the appropriate GACE content tests.
(NOTE: If you currently hold a professional teacher certification and want to add another certification, you may apply for the certification only program with only a BA degree).
Related Programs
Intrigued by a Professional Endorsements Certificate? You might also be interested in one of these programs:
Meet our Faculty
Meet our talented faculty with both academic and professional experience in Education.
Where do I start?
To begin your journey toward earning a Professional Endorsements Certificate at Piedmont University, you can start by applying today! Or, schedule a campus visit and meet with admissions and financial aid advisors, as well as faculty members in Education.