Department of Educational Theory and Practice

If you are interested in being a part of your community as a teacher, teacher leader, or researcher, study with the Department of Educational Theory and Practice. We are home to initial certification programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels in:

We also provide continuing education for these areas through master of education and educational specialist degrees, as well as a doctoral program in educational theory and practice.

Faculty and students work with projects that integrate research, teaching, and service through community engagement. Local projects include:

Professional Development School partnership with the Clarke County School District
Science education professional development projects with surrounding school districts
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

Elementary Education
The Elementary 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.

Degree Programs

Double Dawgs
Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

BSEd in Middle Grades Education / MEd in Middle Grades
Master content for specific grade levels with a Double Dawgs pathway that combines bachelor's- and master's-level courses in middle grades education.
AB in English / MAT in Middle Grades Education
Combine the broad benefits of a bachelor's degree in English with the specialization of a master of arts in teaching with this Double Dawgs pathway.
BA in History / MAT in Middle Grades Education
This degree pathway gives you the versatility of a bachelor's degree in history while satisfying the high demand for middle grades teachers.
BSEd in Elementary Education / MEd in Elementary Education
Embrace learning during a child's formative years through a Double Dawgs pathway that offers both a bachelor's and a master's degree in elementary education.

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd)

BSEd in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)
Our program is a national leader in middle school reform and leads to certification in two subject areas.

Master of Education (MEd)

MEd in Middle Grades Education (Online)
MEd in Middle Grades Education
MEd in Elementary Education
Earn your MEd in Elementary Education through the University of Georgia's nationally recognized program.

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

MAT in Middle Grades Education (Grades 4-8)
This program is a leader in the field of middle school reform and is one of the oldest middle school-specific MAT programs in the nation. Program completion results in both a master's degree and in Georgia teacher certification in grades 4-8 in two subject areas.
MAT in Elementary Education
Learn to work with children, families, and communities. Gain certification for grades prekindergarten through fifth with our MAT in Elementary Education program.

Educational Specialist (EdS)

EdS in Education (Early Childhood Education)
EdS in Education (Middle Grades Education Grades 4-8)
Our program is a leader in the field of middle school reform and is one of the oldest middle school-specific EdS programs in the nation.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD in Educational Theory and Practice (Critical Studies)
Tackle pressing issues in the field of education and challenges facing diverse communities with the PhD in Educational Theory and Practice.
PhD in Educational Theory and Practice (Early Childhood Education)
Tackle pressing issues in the field of education and challenges facing diverse communities with the Ph.D. in Educational Theory and Practice.
PhD in Educational Theory and Practice (Elementary Education)
Tackle pressing issues in the field of education and challenges facing diverse communities with the PhD in Educational Theory and Practice.
PhD in Educational Theory and Practice (Middle Grades Education)
Tackle pressing issues in the field of education and challenges facing diverse communities with the PhD in Educational Theory and Practice.
PhD in Education (Social Studies Education)
Tackle pressing issues in the field of education and challenges facing diverse communities with the PhD in Educational Theory and Practice.
PhD in Educational Theory and Practice (Teacher Education)
Tackle pressing issues in the field of education and challenges facing diverse communities with the PhD in Educational Theory and Practice.

Scholarships

In addition to the following departmental scholarships, learn more about additional opportunities for financial assistance on our financial aid page .

Student Organizations

Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA)

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

Faculty advisor: Gayle Andrews

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 elementary education, elementary education, middle-grades 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: Cheryl Fields-Smith

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

Latest News

Congratulations to the College's First Honor Graduates!
Fifteen First Honor Graduates from the Mary Frances Early College of Education will be recognized at the University of Georgia’s spring 2022 undergraduate Commencement ceremony.
Athletic Association Professor named to Kennedy Center Next 50 list
Georgia Athletic Association Professor Bettina Love joins a select a group of leaders who are making the world a more inspired, inclusive and compassionate place.
Professor ranks in top 200 education scholars in Education Week columnist’s list; COE faculty members honored by Stanford University list of most-cited scholars
College of Education faculty members ranked highly on recent lists from Education Week and Stanford University.