Teaching Certification

Augusta University is pleased to offer several high-rated degree programs for certification.

Teachers, school counselors, and other educational personnel must be certified by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (Ga PSC) to be employed in elementary, middle and secondary public schools. Private schools may also require certification for employment. The GaPSC validates certification through successful certification program completion through a university degree program and the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators® (GACE) test.

Questions about Certification?

Contact Us

Certification Office

Summerville Campus

University Hall

UH 345

8 am - 5 pm; Monday-Friday

Augusta University offers the following programs that lead to initial certification:

BS Ed

Elementary Education, Middle Grades Education, Special Education

Secondary Education

Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Math, Physics, Political Science

P12

Music, Foreign Language (French and Spanish)

MAT

All of the programs listed above, except Political Science

MEd

Get more info MEd in Counselor Education in School Counseling

EdS

Get more info for MEd and EdS in Educational Leadership

Tiered Certification Rules

Under the new Tiered Certification structure, employment is now required for initial certification.

A Certificate of Eligibility will be received by applicants who have met all certification requirements except for employment as an educator. The GaPSC will also furnish candidates with a Requirements Letter, verifying all outstanding certification requirements. This certificate will be valid for five years but may be converted as soon as the holder is hired and submits a new application to the GaPSC.

The GACE content area exam must be completed at either the Induction or Professional level (click here for GACE information).

As of January 1, 2015, successful completion of the Educator Ethics Assessment will be a requirement of initial certification.

As of September 1, 2015, successful completion of the content pedagogy assessment (edTPA) will be required for initial certification.

GaPSC Certification Application GaPSC Verification of Lawful Presence Form

US citizens will only need to provide a Lawful Presence Verification once. Any applicant not a US citizen must submit this form with each certificate application.

Certification Workshops

Undergraduate Candidates

Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Place: TBA

MAT Candidates

Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Place: TBA

Important Facts to Know

Both meetings are for current term completion students seeking initial certification.
All candidates will receive the forms to be completed by email prior to the workshops.
The Augusta University transcript must be requested by the candidate. Request that the official transcript be held until graduation so your completion is reflected.
Transcripts needed for county Board of Education Offices must be requested by the student. Requests made prior to graduation are free of charge and should indicate that they are to be processed after grading.
Initial certification requires official copies of transcripts from all schools attended. Transcripts can be sent electronically directly to the GaPSC at: mail@gapsc.com or to the AU Certification Office on the Augusta University Summerville Campus, UH Suite 345, Room 343A, for delivery with the certification application. Transcript delivery with the application will expedite the certification process.
If you have not already done so, please log on to your MyPSC website and create your claim your enrollment at Augusta University. Certification documents cannot be posted to the GaPSC until enrollment is claimed.

Steps for GACE registration

STEP ONECreate a MyPSC account You must have a "MyPSC" account before you can register for the GACE Program Admission Assessment or the GACE Content Assessment. Pay particular attention to the section 'Information About Your Name'. Once you have reviewed the account requirements, access https://mypsc.gapsc.org/ and click the Register link.

STEP TWOCreate a My GACE account You will register to test through your ETS GACE testing account. Your test scores will also be made available to you on this account. When creating your account, you will need to provide your GA CERT ID and your name exactly as they appear on your established MyPSC account.

STEP THREEGet Permission to take GACE

Undergraduate education students will be given permission to register for the GACE Content Assessment the term prior to student teaching. There is no expiration date for the GACE Content Assessment permission.

MAT program may require both GACE Programs Admissions Assessment and GACE Content Area Completion prior to admissions. No permissions are required before candidates are accepted. Once enrolled in the MAT program, permissions will be needed.

GACE Program Admission Assessment: Permission is Not required for the GACE Program Admission Assessment.

Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

STEP FOUR Register for GACE online. If you get stuck, detailed registration steps are available at http://gace.ets.org/register/steps.

Questions? Problems?

Contact ETS with any concerns:

ETS GACE Testing Website Call 855-225-7178 Email ETS GACE

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