Secondary Education

Admission Requirements for Secondary Education Certification - Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics:

Acceptance to the Secondary Professional Teacher Education program is a prerequisite to enrollment in the Secondary Professional Education courses. Eligibility requirements for teacher candidates seeking certification in Secondary Biology, Chemistry, English, History, or Mathematics include the following:

  • Completed application for admission to the Teacher Education program by the posted date.
  • Attendance in a Secondary Orientation meeting. (Offered twice in Fall semester and twice in Spring semester.)
  • Completion of Area A courses with grades of C or above.
  • Completion of COMM 1110 and PSYC 1101 with a grade of C or above.
  • Grades of C or above in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, and EDUC 2150.
  • Completion of a minimum of thirty (30) academic credit hours.
  • Grade point average of 2.7 cumulative in academic work.
  • English majors:  Completion of ENGL 3010 and (3) credit hours of 3000-level ENGL courses with grades of C or above.
  • History majors:  Completion of HIST 3000 and (3) credit hours of 3000-level HIST courses with grades of C or above.
  • Biology majors:  Completion of BIOL 1107K and BIOL 1108K with grades of C or above.
  • Chemistry majors:  Completion of CHEM 1211K and CHEM 1212K with grades of C or above.
  • Math majors:  Completion of (8) credit hours of MATH 2253, MATH 2254, and/or MATH 2255 with grades of C or above.
  • Proof of professional liability insurance.
  • Proof of completion of the mandated reporter training course.
  • Complete and pass an Ethics assessment found at ETS.com.
  • Completion of two recommendation letters; one letter MUST be from the EDUC 2110 or EDUC 2150 instructor.  (Recommendation form provided in the School of Education application packet).
  • After acceptance into the Professional Teacher Education Program, the student must apply for pre-service certification. This requires a background check completed by the GaPSC.

Retention in the Teacher Education Programs

Secondary candidates must earn a grade of B or above in EDUC 3120, Teaching Diverse Learners (a requirement for certification). Candidates must earn a grade of C or above in all other Teacher Education upper division courses and content area course work in order to continue into the next block of the Teacher Education program.  Candidates must also meet the minimum ratings required on field assessments in the current block of which they are enrolled to continue in the Teacher Education program.  Secondary candidates must complete the required minimum credit hours within their content area before they can move to PES IV.  See program sheets for the minimum requirements.

B.A. in English (Secondary Certification Option)

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in English (Secondary Certification Option) includes a focus on multiculturalism and diversity and prepares students to complete the requirements for teaching English at the secondary education level.

B.A. in History (Secondary Certification Option)

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History (Secondary Certification Option) is designed to prepare graduates for careers teaching history at the secondary education level. This degree is designed to produce academically capable graduates who possess critical thinking skills and knowledge outlined in the General Education Outcomes of Dalton State College.

B.S. in Biology (Secondary Certification Option)

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biology (Secondary Certification Option) is designed to prepare graduates for teaching careers at the secondary education level.

B.S. in Chemistry (Secondary Certification Option)

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Chemistry (Secondary Certification Option) is designed to prepare graduates for teaching careers at the secondary education level.

B.S. in Mathematics (Secondary Certification Option)

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Mathematics (Secondary Certification Option) is designed to prepare graduates for teaching careers at the secondary education level.