The Education Department promotes academic excellence in the development and preparation of students to be change agents in the field of education. We desire for our graduates to be innovative teachers, experienced professionals and educational leaders, who have a commitment to the improvement and sustainability of schooling and the development of children and adolescents.
We support our students as they become critical thinkers and researchers who improve learning locally, nationally, and globally; and are committed to promoting this through the classroom environment, field-based, and experiential learning opportunities. The education department offers the following majors:
To be recommended for Georgia certification or to receive verification of program completion by the Department of Education at Spelman College, all applicants must contact Dr. Nicole Taylor ntaylo12@spelman.edu or 404-270-5821.
GaPSC Requirements for Teacher Certification Approval
Education Department
350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30310, P.O. 63
Giles Hall Building,
Spelman College’s educator preparation programs are accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Accreditation System. The teacher preparation programs are also approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC). The national accreditation and state approvals recognize that our education programs have met national and state professional standards for the preparation of educators. In CAEP’s performance-based accreditation system, institutions must provide evidence of competent teacher candidate performance. Teacher candidates must know the subject matter they plan to teach and how to teach effectively so that all students learn.
View the CAEP Annual Reporting Measures (PDF) College Bulletin
The following education programs at Spelman College are CAEP-accredited until May 2030:
Elementary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades PreK-5
Secondary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades 6-12 for major programs in the following:
The following education programs at Spelman College are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) until May 2030:
Elementary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades PreK-5
Secondary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades 6-12 for major programs in the following:
Chemistry
English
History
Mathematics
Physics
Political Science
PreKindergarten - 12th Grade Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Spanish and Music
Teacher Certification-only in our approved secondary and P-12 programs
Endorsement Programs: Urban Education
For more information on Spelman College’s state approval status, visit our profile on the GaPSC website.
Note: Students in the education department pursuing teacher certification must be admitted to the program. Students must apply for admission to a certification program (elementary education, secondary education, P-12 education) after completing EDU 206 Orientation to Education. Students who have not been admitted will not be permitted to enroll in designated certification courses.
Kappa Delta Epsilon Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE) is an honorary professional education fraternity for students. Its purpose is to promote the mission of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high standards of scholastic attainment, and professional ideals among its members. Juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above are eligible for membership. Contact Dr. Andrea Lewis, alewis29@spelman.edu 404-270-5981
• EDU 206 Orientation to Education (4)
• EDU 301 Curriculum for Preschool and Primary Grades* (4)
• EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4)
• EDU 308 Multicultural Education* (4)
• EDU 314 Health and Physical Education Content and Methods for Preschool and Primary Grades* (4)
• EDU 316 Exceptional Children* (4)
• EDU 320 Language Arts and Social Studies Methods* (4)
• EDU 330 Science and Mathematics Methods* (4)
• EDU 338 Junior Research Seminar (2)
• EDU 346 Fine Arts Content and Methods (Art, Music)* (4)
• EDU 357 Reading—Teaching and Diagnosis* (4)
• EDU 407 Advocacy in Urban Schools* (4)
• EDU 438 Senior Thesis (2)
• EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (1)
• EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2)
• EDU 457 Student Teaching* (12)
TOTAL: 63 Credit hours for Elementary Education
• English 103/193 Composition
• English 250 Grammar for the Professions
• Mathematics 107
• Psychology 302 Child Psychology (Social Science Divisional
Requirement for Education majors only)
• Environmental Science 211 Introduction to Environmental
Sciences (Natural Science Divisional Requirement)
• History 211 or 212 Survey of American History (Humanities
Divisional Requirement)
Students admitted to the Secondary Education (Grades
6–12) teacher certification program must complete the
following seven courses in addition to the major:
• EDU 206 Orientation to Education *(4)
• EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4)
• EDU 316 Exceptional Learners* (4)
• EDU 444 Curriculum and Methods for Teaching in Secondary
Schools* (4)
• EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (3)
• EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2)**
• EDU 458 Student Teaching in Secondary Schools* (12)
TOTAL: 33 credit hours for Secondary Education
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