What Are the Requirements to Be a Business Teacher in Georgia?

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC), created by the state legislature in 1991, oversees the certification process of educators in the state school system. Individuals wishing to work as a business teacher in the state of Georgia must be certified to teach in the state and meet GAPSC standards. During the process of meeting state requirements, certification in business education can also be obtained. This certification provides the teacher with eligibility to teach business in grades 6-12 throughout the state.

Approved Programs

What the GAPSC labels a traditional route to becoming a qualified teacher in the state of Georgia involves first enrolling in a college degree program approved by the state. After the student has completed all requirements of the program and been awarded a degree, a recommendation must be forthcoming from the student's college or university. The candidate then must pass a content knowledge assessment to be eligible for state certification as a teacher.

In-state Programs

According to the Professional Standards Commission, in-state institutions of higher learning that offer approved programs in business education include Emmanuel College, Georgia Southern University, the universities of Georgia and West Georgia, and Valdosta State. Not all of the schools offer the same levels of degrees in business education for potential or current teachers. For example, a doctorate program is not available at all of the in-state schools.

Certificate-only Path

A second means of meeting requirements to work as a business teacher is to enroll in a certificate-only program. This option is available only to candidates who hold at least a bachelor's degree before enrollment. Following completion of the certificate program, the candidate will go through content knowledge testing and be eligible to receive certification.

Transfers

A third avenue is to possess an out-of-state certification and transfer. Georgia bases requirements for transfer candidates on individual qualifications, and no set program exists for all out-of-state teachers seeking a position in Georgia. However, the state does clarify that if a teacher has passed a content knowledge assessment in another state that Georgia finds appropriate, this stage of obtaining certification can be bypassed. Also, if the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has certified the teacher, the requirements to transfer certification to Georgia are much less stringent.

Character

All individuals seeking teacher certification in Georgia must abide by the state's code of conduct for educators. In addition, teacher candidates undergo a background check conducted by the FBI. Upon certificate renewal, every five years, a check of criminal history is repeated.

References

• Georgia Professional Standards Commission: 505-2-.03 Clear Renewable Certificate (PDF)
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission: 505-2-.20 Special Georgia Requirements (PDF)
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission: 505-2-.54 Business Education (PDF)
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission: Approved Programs
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission: Certification Traditional Routes
• Georgia Professional Standards Commission: Commission Information