Tier-I Certification-only Program in Educational Leadership

The Tier-1 Certification-only in Leadership with a concentration in School Administration is available as a completely online program at Augusta University. The performance-based program consists of 21 semester hours of graduate credit. The degree may be completed in three consecutive semesters.

Educators who complete the program will be eligible for Tier One Leadership Certification in the State of Georgia following the successful completion of required coursework and state assessments for Tier I.

Candidates in the online program will be provided opportunities to link practice to theoretical and philosophical frameworks of educational leadership, in the context of practice.

Note: If you live outside the state of Georgia please verify that the online program is authorized in the state you reside.

General Admissions Requirements / Information:

All applicants must possess a valid, level 5 or higher, Induction, Professional, Advanced Professional, or Lead Professional teaching certificate, Leadership certificate, Service Field certificate, or Life certificate.

Minimum Degree Requirement: Minimum of a Master’s degree from an accredited program and an accredited college or university. To be used to satisfy degree requirements, evaluation of foreign educational transcripts must show degree earned that is the U.S. equivalency of degree required by the program.

GPA: Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the Baccalaureate level (Baccalaureate need not be in education) and 3.0 cumulative GPA at the Master’s level, calculated on all course work attempted in which letter grades were awarded.

Degree and Certification Requirements: All applicants must possess a Master’s degree and a valid level 5 or higher educator certificate.

GACE Exam Requirements

• Candidates enrolled in any GaPSC approved Educational Leadership program must have completed (do not have to pass) the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment – Program Entry (Test 370) prior to enrollment.
• Candidates enrolled in any GaPSC approved Educational Leadership program, must attempt Educational Leadership GACE (Test 301) prior to program completion and must pass the assessment to obtain an Educational Leadership Tier I Certificate.
• Candidates completing any GaPSC-approved Educational Leadership program must attempt the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership-Program Exit (Test 380) prior to completion and must pass the assessment to earn certification in the field of Educational Leadership.

Application Requirements:

Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all universities and colleges ever attended. Only in the case of transcripts from international colleges/universities will an official course-by-course transcript evaluation be accepted in lieu of an official transcript. Official transcripts should be sent to Augusta University's Office of Academic Admissions. To remain official, all transcripts must remain in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar's office of the issuing institution. Alternatively, Augusta University will accept official electronic transcripts from the registrar's office at your prior institution. Electronic transcripts should be directed to graduateadmissions@augusta.edu.

Proof of Lawful Presence: In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.1.6, all applicants for admission to Augusta University are required to provide validation of lawful presence in the United States. Acceptance to the Augusta University is conditional until lawful presence is verified. ALL applicants who are U.S. Citizens must submit documentation that verifies his/her lawful presence in the United States at time of application to admissions@augusta.edu.

Liability Insurance: Applicants must have the required liability insurance (2-year minimum).

Application Information for International Students:

• International applicants, who are not working with any United States educational agency aboard, cannot seek Georgia Educational Leadership certification at the completion of this program. However, the applicant will earn a Degree or Certificate of completion from Augusta University upon successful completion of the program.
• International applicants are required to submit official course-by-course transcript evaluation through an accredited international transcript evaluating agency acceptable to Augusta University. Visit https://www.augusta.edu/admissions/international.php for a list of acceptable agencies.

Not all programs are available to residents in all states. Please check the institution's State Authorization and Professional Licensure website(s) to ensure you reside in an authorized state.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Georgia Professional Standards Commission