Middle Grades (4-8), Certification Only
Certification Only is an option (not a degree program) which may be requested by a prospective candidate who holds a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and prefers not to pursue a Master’s degree while seeking initial certification for grades 4-8 in one of the fields offered at Piedmont College. The Department Chair evaluates a candidate’s transcript and outlines a program of study necessary for the candidate to be recommended for MG certification in the applicant’s intended field of certification. A proposed program of study is designed to ensure depth in the content field, as well as meeting all requirements prescribed in the field of education, including Internship II. The proposed program is reviewed by the Department Chair and, if approved, serves as the advisement sheet for that candidate. All other procedures and requirements of the School of Education and Piedmont College apply.
The candidate must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in all coursework completed for certification. In order for Piedmont College to recommend certification, at least 27 semester hours must be taken at Piedmont College. The candidate must also pass the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) Program Admission Assessments (or file exemption) and the middle grades appropriate content-area GACE test(s) prior to Internship II. When appropriate, Piedmont College will accept a teaching internship and/or other experiences in lieu of similar college credit courses for post-baccalaureate candidates. Transfer credits 10 years or older are not accepted. Completion of requirements for certification-only does not lead to a degree. Completion of the program leads to recommendation for a Georgia certificate in middle grades education.
Course requirements:
(Certification-only candidates may take graduate or undergraduate courses.)
These courses must be taken as a block and constitute the professional semester. One or two methods courses according to area(s) of concentration:
Select one or two area(s) of concentration:
Language arts, courses in:
Literature
| ENGL 4450 | Seminar in Composition Studies | 3 |
| OR | |
| ENGL 6650 | Seminar in Composition Studies | 3 |
| | |
| ENGL 4455 | Survey of English Usage for Teachers | 3 |
| OR | |
| ENGL 6655 | Survey of English Usage for Teachers | 3 |
PLUS 2 Literature courses (6 hours) either at the undergraduate or graduate level
Social Science, courses in:
Mathematics, courses in:
Two other MATH Content Courses (6 hours)
Science, courses in:
Earth/Space science required and courses in three of the following areas:
Physics, Biology, Chemistry (Only offered in Demorest), Physical Science
NOTE: This program does not lead to a degree.
Program Completion Requirements:
- Pass appropriate GACE content test(s);
- Minimum course hours completed with 3.0 GPA or better: Variable, depending on track
- Successful completion of required field experiences
- A practicum will be required unless the Dean of the School of Education grants experiential credit.