Department of Educational Theory and Practice

Professional Development School partnership with the Clarke County School District
Science education professional development projects with surrounding school districts
Social studies education partnership with the Cobb House museum
Collaboration with homeschooling families
Neighborhood-based education center emphasizing creativity and critical literacies

Our faculty are highly productive, award-winning researchers and teachers. Our grant-funded projects expand knowledge around issues in teaching, learning, and learning to teach in varied contexts. Our faculty regularly publish in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and newspapers, and present at workshops.

Concentrations

Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education program helps prepare teachers of prekindergarten through fifth grade for diverse and inclusive educational settings, learning how to produce educational knowledge and apply it to benefit children, families, and communities.

Middle Grades Education

The Middle Grades Education Program is a leader in the field of middle school reform and is one of the oldest middle school-specific teacher certification programs in the nation.

Social Studies Education

The Social Studies Education program invites future teachers who are interested in making a positive difference in the world.

Degree Programs

Double Dawgs Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd)

Dual Degrees

AB/BSEd in History/Social Studies Education

Master of Education (MEd)

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Master of Arts (MA)

MA in Education (Social Studies Education)

Educational Specialist (EdS)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Research Grants

An Engineering Research Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT)

This sub-award from the Georgia Institute of Technology involves several units across the University of Georgia. A portion of this award will be used by Cory Buxton to create curriculum materials to broaden interest in the field.
- Sponsored by: National Science Foundation
- Principal Investigator: Steven Stice
Conceptualizing Emotion in Political Discussions in Classrooms

Through interview, observation, and video-cued focus group discussions, Dr. Garrett will construct a conceptual framework for accommodating the emotional aspects of facilitating discussions about political issues in classrooms.
- Sponsored by: Spencer Foundation
- Principal Investigator: H. James Garrett
Improving Teacher Quality Higher Education Program

Teacher quality grant projects are for the professional development of teachers in language arts, mathematics, reading, science and/or social studies. Grants can also address teachers' use of technology, alternative assessment strategies, or innovative teaching strategies, all with the goal to strengthen and deepen teachers' content knowledge in their academic subjects with emphasis on how deepened content knowledge impacts teaching practices and student learning.
- Sponsored by: U.S. Department of Education
- Principal Investigator: Kathy F. Thompson
LISELL-B: Language-Rich Inquiry Science with English Language Learners through Biotechnology

LISELL-B is a National Science Foundation-supported project to implement a large-scale, cross-sectional, and longitudinal study to understand and support the teaching of the language of scientific investigation practices for middle and high school students (grades 6-10) with a special emphasis on English language learners and a focus on biotechnology.
- Sponsored by: National Science Foundation
Red Clay Writing Project Grant

Through our summer institute, open institutes, writing retreats, and Saturday workshops, we offer teachers a wide and engaging list of professional learning opportunities, many for UGA credit or state PLUs.
- Sponsored by: National Writing Project
- Principal Investigator: Stephanie Jones

Student Organizations

Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA)

To promote and support the professional development of future middle level/grade teachers.

Faculty advisor: Kathy F. Thompson

Educational Theory and Practice Graduate Student Organization (ETAP-GSO)

The ETAP-GSO is a student-led organization that maintains a close relationship with the ETAP faculty in order to foster academic discourse in areas such as early childhood education, elementary education, middle-grades education, social studies education, critical studies, and general teacher education. We strive to be stewards of our departmental philosophy and support graduate student efforts in their scholarly pursuits.

Faculty advisor: Kyunghwa Lee

Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE)

The purpose of the organization is to promote pride in education as a career choice, recognize outstanding achievement, and foster growth in the educational community.

Faculty advisor: Beth Dekle Tolley

Minorities in Education (MIE)

Minorities in Education serves as an outlet and support system for underrepresented students in education and future educators in the College of Education

Faculty advisor: Stephanie Jones