Best Online Education & Teaching Programs in Georgia (GA)
Interested in a teaching career in Georgia? Discover the wealth of online and on-campus degrees and certificates offered by some of the best education and teaching programs in Georgia in 2024. Explore curriculum and specialization options, program costs and financial aid resources, job prospects for graduates, and more.
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According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, more than 38,000 students are enrolled in teacher preparation programs in Georgia. Many of these students are interested in becoming teachers in the Peach State, where job growth in educational roles is expected to eclipse the national average. In fact, Georgia has a well-documented shortage of teachers.
Given these statistics, it’s no surprise that many schools are ready to train new teachers. But what are the top education and teaching programs in Georgia? The answer to that question depends on several factors, including your educational background, teaching interests, financial resources, and preferred learning format. Keep reading to explore these factors, all of which can help you identify the best teaching degree program in Georgia for you.
Top Online Teaching Degree Programs in Georgia
Many students in teaching programs lead busy lives, especially those who want to become a teacher as a second career. Therefore, it may be easier for some students to attend class online while also continuing to work full time or meet family obligations.
If you’re thinking about an online teaching program in Georgia to obtain your initial teaching credentials, understand that any online program you enroll in won’t be 100% online. Instead, most of the classroom instruction will be online, but you’ll also have to complete several in-person field placements.
University of West Georgia
One of the most significant ways in which the University of West Georgia’s College of Education programs stand out from many other teaching and education programs in Georgia is the fact that practically all of them are online. Even the on-campus programs will incorporate several online courses into the curriculum. At the graduate level, most programs are mostly or fully online.
In addition to the convenience of online learning, the University of West Georgia has several other advantages that can’t be found in other programs. For instance, students seeking hands-on experience can participate in the Comprehensive Community Clinic, which offers education services in mathematics and literacy. Then there’s the Early Learning Center that combines research, theory, and practice into an early childhood learning environment.
To help students make the most of their training and education, the College of Education offers an Academic Advising Center, Virtual Research Center, and Office of Field Experience — which helps coordinate the experiential learning requirements of various education programs.
Mercer University
With approximately 30 education and teaching programs, Mercer University’s Tift College of Education provides plenty of academic learning options. In addition to the selection of programs, students can enjoy the convenience of remote learning. The majority of the online teaching programs at Mercer University do not lead to initial teacher certification, as curricula in those programs will contain extensive in-person learning elements, including field experience.
Even though much of the coursework can be completed online, students are encouraged to add in-person learning experiences to their program requirements. To facilitate this, Mercer University has various partnerships with local schools and peer education programs to not just gain hands-on experience, but also to improve the local community and the lives of students at nearby schools.
Mercer University also takes special care to provide research opportunities to students interested in developing new theories and concepts to improve student learning and school district operations.
Types of Education & Teaching Degrees You Can Earn in Georgia
To become a teacher in Georgia, you’ll need to earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher preparation program. But because so many future teachers approach the field with different educational backgrounds, you’ll find multiple online and on-campus education and teaching program pathways available. Let’s look at the most popular options.
Undergraduate Teaching/Education Degrees in Georgia
Associate Degrees in Education
An associate degree on its own is not enough to become a licensed teacher in Georgia. However, it can help future teachers complete the general education and pre-major course requirements before they transfer to a four-year university to earn their bachelor’s degree and obtain their teaching certification.
Accredited Georgia Colleges with Associate Degrees in Education
- East Georgia State College (On-Campus)
- Georgia Highlands College (On-Campus)
- Brenau University (Online)
Bachelor’s Degrees in Education
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the most common route to becoming a teacher in Georgia. Students can earn their required bachelor’s degree while also completing the required teacher preparation program that’s part of the bachelor’s degree program. These are ideal for aspiring teachers who don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree.
Accredited Georgia Colleges with Bachelor’s Degrees in Education
- Georgia Southern University (On-Campus)
- Savannah State University (On-Campus)
- Mercer University (Hybrid)
Graduate Education Degrees in Georgia
Master’s Degrees in Education (MEd)
A Master of Education (M Ed.) degree is typically intended for those who are already licensed teachers but wish to move into a different area of teaching and/or obtain advanced skills to enhance their existing teaching practice. In contrast, the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree is suited for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree, but the bachelor’s degree did not include professional teacher preparation.
Accredited Georgia Colleges with Master’s Degrees in Education
- Georgia Southern University (Hybrid)
- Georgia State University (On-Campus)
- Georgia College & State University (Hybrid)
Doctorate of Education (EdD) Programs
The Doctor of Education program is for current education professionals who would like to take the next step in educational leadership. The EdD’s curriculum prepares teachers and education administrators to bring about transformative change while working in schools, for-profit companies, or government agencies.
Accredited Georgia Colleges with Doctorate (EdD) Programs
- Piedmont University (On-Campus)
- Clark Atlanta University (Online)
- University of West Georgia (Online)
Education PhD Programs
A PhD in education is ideal for anyone who wants to work as a faculty member in higher education and/or engage in research. PhD coursework is heavy on theory, so graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to complete never-before-undertaken research and teach the next generation of teachers and educators.
Accredited Georgia Colleges with Education PhD Programs
- University of Georgia (On-Campus)
- Mercer University (Hybrid)
- Georgia State University (On-Campus)
Graduate Certificates
You’ll find two main types of graduate certificate programs in Georgia. The most common are certificate programs intended for current teachers who wish to obtain a certification or endorsement in a specialized area of teaching. These tend to make up a major proportion of the online graduate teaching programs in Georgia. But there are also certificate programs designed for those with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education who would like to obtain their teaching credentials for the first time.
Accredited Georgia Colleges with Education Graduate Certificates
- Georgia Southwestern State University (Online)
- Albany State University (On-Campus)
- College of Coastal Georgia (On-Campus)
Financial Aid and Scholarships for Education Students in Georgia
Luckily, you’ll find many sources of financial aid available to help fund your enrollment in a top on-campus or online teaching program in Georgia. Among the most common are federal student loans and gift-based aid, like grants and scholarships.
But because you’re studying to be a teacher, you’ll also find industry-specific grants and scholarships available from government and private entities. For examples, there’s the TEACH Grant from the federal government and various scholarships and grants from the Georgia Association of Educators.
Lastly, the schools themselves will offer scholarships, many of these only being open to students in a teaching or education-related program. Examples include Georgia College & State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, and Valdosta State University.
Job Outlook and Earnings Potential for Teachers in Georgia
The job outlook and pay prospects for teachers in Georgia are promising, given the recent increases in teacher pay and school funding. This is especially true when compared to national data.
For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that from 2022 to 2032, the expected job growth of secondary school teachers nationwide will be 1%. Contrast this with Georgia, where the estimated job growth for roughly the same time period is 11%.
As for pay, the teachers in Georgia can expect comparable salaries to the national average, which is a good thing because Georgia has a cost of living that’s roughly 5% lower than the national average.
To see more specific numbers for education-related jobs, please reference the following chart.
| Job Growth Rate (2018-2028) | Average Annual Openings (2018-2028) | Annual Mean Wage (2022) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Teacher | 11% | 2,020 | $67,520 |
| Library Science Teacher | 7% | 10 | $69,580 |
| K-12 School Principal | 11% | 640 | $98,970 |
| School Librarian | 10% | 350 | $63,280 |
| Instructional Coordinator | 11% | 720 | $76,550 |
Sources: Projections Central; Bureau of Labor Statistics
Georgia Teaching Professional and Student Resources
- Georgia Association of Educators (GAE) The GAE is the leading professional organization for public school teachers and employees. It advocates on behalf of its membership, as well as offers resources and programs to help students learn and promote professional development of teachers.
- Georgia Department of Education: Professional Learning The Georgia Department of Education offers education professionals the chance to increase their skills, finances, and knowledge to improve classroom learning. Services available include learning events, funding grants, and conferences.
- Georgia Science Teachers Association (GSTA) The GSTA’s primary mission is to support science educators in the state of Georgia through a focus on advocacy, support, training, and partnership efforts to enhance science learning in the classroom.
- Georgia Teachers Helping Teachers As part of this active Facebook group, you’ll find current Georgia K-12 professional educators who share their knowledge, experience, and resources with other teachers (or future teachers). It’s also a great place to seek advice in choosing the top teaching and education programs in Georgia.
- Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) PAGE is the state’s largest professional organization for educational professionals. Membership includes teachers, administrators, and other school employees. PAGE offers professional learning opportunities as well as leadership skill-building, legal assistance, and legislative advocacy.
