Program Completion Requirements

Initial Teacher Certification Programs

The University’s recommendation for a letter of eligibility for certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in the appropriate area or areas is contingent upon:

• Completion of the Georgia Educators Ethics Assessments (exit levels)
• Completion of all courses in the professional education sequence (each with a minimum grade of “C”); Note: if the Exceptional Child course is required, it must be completed with a minimum grade of "B". 
• All professional education courses must be completed within 10 years of the student’s graduation date unless approved by the department chair;
• Application for graduation;
• Submit documents of all field experience requirements;
• Attainment of the baccalaureate degree;
• Clearance on a personal affirmation form reflecting the moral standards and code of ethics of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the Piedmont University College of Education;
• Applications to teacher education and to Internship may be denied based on information presented in the background clearance. Before being hired by a Georgia Public School System, another background check, including fingerprinting, will be conducted by the system;
• An overall 2.5 GPA, and a 2.75 GPA for secondary education majors in their content field;
• A passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessments.

Candidates must take and pass the appropriate GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) content tests prior to beginning the Internship III semester. Individuals who have not passed the GACE tests will not be permitted to register for Internship III. Candidates who do not pass the GACE content tests may elect to change majors and/or apply to receive the Bachelor of Arts degree in Educational Studies.

Candidates who have not passed the appropriate GACE content tests and who graduate from Piedmont University with the B.A. degree in Educational Studies may apply to return to the University within five years as a certification-only student. A prerequisite for readmission as a certification-only student is successful completion of the appropriate GACE content tests.

For specific information about the certification application process, consult the College of Education Student Bulletin Board website.

School Counseling Program

The University’s recommendation for a letter of eligibility for certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in the appropriate area or areas is contingent upon:

• Completion of the Georgia Educators Ethics Assessments (exit levels)
• Completion of all courses in the professional education sequence (each with a minimum grade of “C”); Note: if the Exceptional Child course is required, it must be completed with a minimum grade of "B".
• All professional courses must be completed within 10 years of the student’s graduation date unless approved by the department chair;
• Application for graduation;
• Submit documents of all field experience requirements including grade bands (PK-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12);
• Clearance on a personal affirmation form reflecting the moral standards and code of ethics of the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and the Piedmont University College of Education;
• Applications to counselor education* and to Internship may be denied based on information presented in the background clearance.
• An overall 3.0 GPA
• A passing score on the appropriate GACE Content Assessments**
• A passing score on the CPCE exam**

*Candidates must be Admitted to Counselor Education (ACE) before beginning the 3rd semester. Individuals who have not been admitted will not be permitted to register for 3rd semester courses. ACE requirements includes passage of the ethics exam, personal affirmations, a criminal records check, obtainment of liability insurance, and a 3.0 GPA.

**Candidates must take and pass the appropriate GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) content tests and the CPCE (Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination) prior to beginning the Internship II semester. Individuals who have not passed the GACE tests and/or the CPCE will not be permitted to register for Internship II.

In-Progress Grade Policy for the College of Education

Assigning an In-Progress grade “IP” is at the discretion of an instructor with the approval by the Dean of the College of Education. Failure to remove the “IP” by the end of the next semester enrolled at Piedmont University will result in an “F.” For students who do not return to Piedmont, the “IP” must be removed within a calendar year or it changes to an “F.”

A grade of “IP” (in progress) may be used in a limited number of courses approved by the Dean of Education for a candidate who initiates coursework which cannot be completed during the semester because of circumstances, such as a delay in collecting research data, a need for extended work in internships and capstones. The procedures for using the IP grade are as follows:

• The candidate is expected to initiate the request for an “IP” grade, completing all the items in the candidate section of the form and submitting the form to the course instructor.
• If the candidate is unable to initiate the request, the instructor may do so by completing all sections and writing “by phone” or “by email” for the candidate’s signature.
• If the instructor approves the request, it should be forwarded to the Dean of Education no later than the last day of classes for that semester.
• The Dean makes the final determination if the request is granted and will forward approved requests to the Registrar and instructor. Requests not approved by the Dean will be returned to the instructor who will notify the candidate then assign an appropriate grade.