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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

Bachelor of Science in Education (BSEd)

Master of Education (MEd)

Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)

Educational Specialist (EdS)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Faculty Research Video

Support Our Programs

Donate to a Specific Unit/Program

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

In addition to the following departmental scholarships, learn more about additional opportunities for financial assistance on the College’s 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

Faculty and Staff

Gayle Andrews
Professor
Mariana Becker
Assistant Professor
Bob Capuozzo
Clinical Associate Professor
Laurie Dollner
Administrative Specialist I
Brian W. Dotts
Clinical Professor
Linda Dunbar
Graduate Student Affairs Administrator
Morgan Z. Faison
Clinical Associate Professor
Cheryl Fields-Smith
Professor and Graduate Coordinator
Hilary E. Hughes
Associate Professor
Julie M. Kittleson
Associate Professor and Department Head
Kyunghwa Lee
Omer Clyde and Elizabeth Pharr Aderhold Professor
Sherell A. McArthur
Associate Professor
Amy S. Murphy
Clinical Associate Professor
Leslie Rech-Penn
Clinical Associate Professor and Elementary MAT Program Coordinator
Elizabeth E. Saylor
Clinical Associate Professor
Ajay Sharma
Professor
Michael J Swartzwelder
Business Manager I
Katherine Finch Thompson
Clinical Professor
Beth Dekle Tolley
Clinical Professor
Elizabeth (Beth) Wurzburg
Clinical Associate Professor and Elementary Program Co-Coordinator

Contact Info

Department Head: Julie Kittleson
  • Phone: 706-542-4244
630 Aderhold Hall 110 Carlton Street Athens, Georgia 30602
© University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
706‑542‑3000