The Agnes Scott department of education prepares exemplary teachers for increasingly complex schools through a strong foundation of disciplinary understanding and the art of teaching. The qualities of mind and character fostered by a liberal education are essential characteristics of excellent teachers. Education students are preparing to change the world and are receiving the tools to do so at Agnes Scott.
ASC students who aspire to become teachers have the advantage of being grounded in an academic discipline, while also being prepared in the art and pedagogy of teaching and learning. Students receive teacher certification through the Education department and major in a discipline outside of education, such as astrophysics, biology, chemistry, economics, English, history, mathematics, physics or political science. The department offers secondary education teacher certification in the fields of history and mathematics (grades 6 through 12) and early childhood education certification.
What will I study?
The curriculum includes a wide variety of prerequisite courses, such as Understanding Learners, Exploring Children’s Literature and Introduction to Language and Literacy. Upon successful completion of the required courses, students begin student teaching – or The Professional Semester. Student teaching primarily takes place in the Atlanta area, although student teaching abroad is also possible. Prior to her first day in the classroom, the student will spend 40 hours in the Opening of School Experience, where the student teacher will work with the classroom teacher to observe pre-year classroom preparation.
Why should I study education at Agnes Scott?
- Well-rounded educational experience
Ninety to 100 percent of teachers find full-time work in the classroom following successful completion of certification requirements. Atlanta school districts regularly come to campus to recruit Agnes Scott graduates.
- Support in learning
The education faculty work together with the goal to train the best teachers in the nation. The department fosters a secure, intimate learning environment, where students and faculty know each other by name and are interested and involved with each other’s accomplishments.
What can I do with this certification?
Secondary education certification enables students to teach grades six through 12; certification in early childhood education enables students to teach preschool through grade five.
Completing one of these programs leads to initial certification in Georgia, as well as in areas with reciprocal certification agreements: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.