If a current or prospective teacher seeking Agricultural Education Certification has a Bachelor’s degree in some area/field of agriculture, completing the following tasks will allow for agricultural education teaching certification:

1. Take the GRE if certification courses are to count toward a Masters degree.  Take the following segments of the GRE.
a.      Verbal
b.      Quantitative
c.      Written

If ag teacher already has a master’s degree or if applicant has no future interest in a masters degree and wishes to forego the GRE, then go directly to #2 below.

2.      Apply to The University of Georgia Graduate School (http://www.gradsch.uga.edu/)
a.      When it asks for desired degree write “Master of Agricultural Leadership” or

If for some reason you do not want the classes to count towards a master's degree, write “Master of Agricultural Leadership – Non Degree” on the form.

If “non-degree” option is selected a written explanation for choosing this route must accompany the application.

b.      A $50 application fee should also accompany the grad school application.

3.      Select three references before you apply.  Make sure your references complete the online reference form that is emailed to them.

4.      Test out of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE)  with GRE or SAT score OR Pass GACE in Agriculture (two tests).  See http://www.gace.nesinc.com/.

5.      Complete a Special Needs course with your local RESA center OR complete EOCS 7750 or SPED 2000 at The University of Georgia.

6.      Test out of the Instructional Technology requirement OR complete EDIT 6150 at The University of Georgia OR complete Tech requirements with your local school system.

7.      Register and complete AGED 6350 (3 hours), and AGED 6360 (3 hours) for this Summer. YOU MUST TAKE THESE COURSES THIS SUMMER FOR THE FASTEST ROUTE TO CERTIFICATION.

These courses will be mostly online.  Students will have 4 whole days of on-site instruction in Athens or Tifton, meet Tuesdays and Thursdays during the lunch hour via the internet this summer, and students will attend the GVATA summer teachers conference.

8.      Acquire an agricultural education teaching position.

9.      Register and complete requirements for 12 hours of AGED 7460, which includes one full year of supervision by University of Georgia agricultural teacher education faculty.

10.     Apply for Georgia Agricultural Teacher Certification.

You must contact Dr. Ricketts ([log in to unmask]) as soon as possible if you would like to begin the certification process.  Remember - before the summer semester (’08) begins, you still have to be admitted to the grad school, take the GRE, and register for classes.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLYING TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IS MAY 1, 2008.  This is a UGA deadline, therefore there are NO EXCEPTIONS!

Thank you,
John C. Ricketts
University of Georgia
110 Four Towers
Athens, GA 30602
Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 706-542-8646