Graduate Application Requirements

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.):

In order to be eligible to apply for the doctor of education program, applicants must have earned the minimum of a master’s degree with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average from regionally accredited colleges or universities and have five or more years of verified teaching experience at public or private schools accredited by the AdvancED/Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvements (SACSCASI) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC.) at the Accredited with Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) Level.

Applicants must submit the following documentation to the Graduate Admissions Office:

1. Completed graduate admissions applications.
2. Two professional references; one from the supervisor (the person who evaluates your performance) and one from a former professor or instructor. References submitted as part of the application process for previous degree programs will not be accepted.
3. Five annual teaching evaluations that verify five years of professional experience as Georgia-certified educators. Non-Georgia-certified educators, leaders or educators in independent schools, and higher education faculty must provide verification of five years of professional employment.
4. Professional activities resumes.
5. Copies of valid professional Georgia teaching certificates at the appropriate level (Georgia-certified educators) or letters from the head of the school, Board of Trustees, dean, or department chair to verify the quality of work (Non-Georgia-certified educators). Applicants who do not hold Georgia certification and desire to be certified in Georgia must complete all requirements established by the Professional Standards Commission (PSC).
6. Official GRE test scores that are no more than five years old at the time prospective students submit applications for admissions. The target GRE scores are the 60th percentile for the combined verbal and quantitative sections and a score of 4.0 on the analytic writing section. Test scores are not the sole criteria used to determine admission to the Ed.D. Program; applicants with scores lower than the target score are eligible to apply. Applicants who held at minimum grade point average of 3.7 at the completion of their most recent graduate degree are not required to submit GRE test scores.
7. Personal affirmation forms.
8. Official final transcripts from all colleges and universities attended in the past (Piedmont College transcripts are on file).
9. Scholarly, informative letters of intent, including goal statements.

A panel of faculty members will review the applications to identify a group of finalists who will be invited to participate in an interview and a writing activity.

Education Specialist (Ed.S.):

Eligibility for application requires a master’s degree with a 3.5 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university and two or more years of verified successful teaching experience at a public or a private school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level. *

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding your master’s degree. (Piedmont College transcripts are on file.)
3. Three professional references, one each from:
   1. supervising administrator
   2. former professor or instructor
   3. professional colleague
4. Currently Test Score is Waived: Test score from the MAT or GRE Admissions test (for information about this requirement, please click here). *We reserve the right to request a test score if the admissions committee feels a test score is needed for an acceptance decision.

5. Copy of valid, current professional certificate at the appropriate level for Georgia educators seeking certificate upgrade. Alternatively, candidates from independent schools should submit a letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)
6. Letter of Intent
7. Professional Activities Resume
8. Verification of Professional Experience (two years)
9. Personal Affirmation Form

Master of Arts (M.A.):

Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in education are designed for teachers and/or individuals who hold a valid teaching certificate or who are currently teaching in a private school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) or the Georgia Accrediting Commission Inc. (GAC) at the Accredited With Quality (AWQ) or Accredited (ACC) level. Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university and a copy of a valid teaching certificate or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator.*

Note: Master of Arts (MA) degree programs do not lead to initial educator certification nor to the conversion of a non-renewable certificate (IN4T or Waiver certificate) to a clear renewable certificate. (Piedmont has Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and certification-only programs leading to initial certification.)

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the Bachelor’s degree showing all course work from all colleges and universities attended. (Piedmont College transcripts are on file.)
3. Three Professional References, one each from
   1. Supervising administrator
   2. Former professor or instructor
   3. Professional colleague
4. Official Test score from either the GRE General Test (minimum 35th percentile) on verbal and quantitative or 35th percentile on the Miller Analogies test (Test should have been taken within the last five years) OR completed Professional Admissions Option.**
5. Copy of valid, current professional Georgia teaching certificate at the appropriate level or letter from the principal or head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. For those holding provisional certificates a copy of the current certificate and a copy of the PSC letter outlining requirements for updating to a clear-renewable certificate

   (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission [PSC].)

6. For Art Education, the art department chair must approve a portfolio of past work before acceptance
7. For Music Education, the music department chair must approve a videotaped or live audition before acceptance.
8. Personal Affirmation Form

   * These programs are for advanced certification and do not lead to a recommendation for an initial Georgia Teaching Certificate. Holders of out-of-state certificates should contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for reciprocity rules.

   ** Teachers using this option must have taught three out of the past five years with a professional teaching certificate in an accredited public school or private school [SACS or GAC (top two levels)] verified through submitted annual evaluations.

Off-campus cohort classes are held in various school systems in Georgia. To enroll in an off-campus cohort class, you must be a member of the cohort or have permission from your advisor and either the regional program coordinator or the dean.

Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Instructional Technology: (Advanced Certification)

Design, Integration and Administration (Advanced Certification): Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5. Cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university and a valid professional teaching certificate.

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the Bachelor’s degree showing all course work from all colleges and universities attended.
3. Three Professional References, one each from:
   1. Supervising administrator
   2. Former professor or instructor
   3. Professional colleague
4. Current (taken within the last 5 years) official test score from either the GRE General Test (minimum 35th percentile) on verbal and quantitative or 35th percentile on the Miller Analogies Test. OR completed Professional Admissions Option.**
5. Copy of valid current professional Georgia teaching certificate at the appropriate level. (Note: If your certificate is not a Georgia certificate and you desire to be certified in Georgia, you must complete all requirements through Professional Standards Commission (PSC).)
6. Personal Affirmation Form

   ** Teachers using this option must have taught three out of the past five years with a professional teaching certificate in an accredited public school or private school [SACS or GAC (top two levels)] verified through submitted annual evaluations.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Instructional Technology: (Non-Certification)

Instructional Design, and Development (Non- Certification): Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5. Cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university and a valid professional teaching certificate.

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the Bachelor’s degree showing all course work from all colleges and universities attended.
3. Three Professional References.
4. Current (taken within the last 5 years) official test score from either the GRE General Test (minimum 35th percentile) on verbal and quantitative or 35th percentile on the Miller Analogies Test.

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.):

Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university. The bachelor’s degree may be in any field, including business.*

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. All official, final transcripts from the college or university awarding the Bachelor’s degree showing all coursework from all colleges and universities attended
3. Three professional references
4. Official, current test score on the GRE or GMAT; (Target test score is the 50th percentile) Test must have been taken within the last five years. Piedmont graduates who took the Peregrine test in their Capstone course, are exempt from all admission tests, if they scored at least a 50 on the Peregrine test.
5. Professional resume
6. Current job description, if applicable

   *Non-business majors applying for the M.B.A. degree may be required to take certain prerequisite courses as part of their program of study. Prerequisite courses, if required, are determined by the M.B.A. advisors at the time of submission of the application and accompanying undergraduate transcripts.

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.):

Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university.

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. All official, final transcripts from every college attended
3. Three professional references 
4. Official Test score from either the GRE General Test (35th percentile on the GRE verbal and quantitative sections) or Miller Analogies Test (minimum —35th percentile.) Test should have been taken within the past five years.
5. Personal Affirmation Form
6. For Art Education, applicants must have completed an art degree at the undergraduate level. Any exceptions must be approved by the Art Department Chair. Applicant must provide a portfolio for review.
7. For Music Education, applicants must have completed a music degree at the undergraduate level. Any exceptions must be approved by the Music Department Chair. Applicant must have an approved audition with the music department.

Certification Only (Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree) in Education:

A minimum of a master’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university is required for Early Childhood*, Secondary, Special Education and Music Education. A minimum of a bachelor degree with a 2.5 cumulative (2.75, Secondary Education) GPA from a regionally accredited college or university is required for certification in Middle Grades Education and Drama Education**.

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
3. Three Professional References
4. Personal Affirmation Form
5. If you are a returning BA or MA Educational Studies graduate from Piedmont College, you may return within five years as a certification only student.  A prerequisite for admission as a certification-only student is successful completion of the appropriate GACE content tests. 

*Applicants holding a bachelor degree in education with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from a regionally accredited college or university may apply for the Early Childhood certification only option.

**Must hold a bachelor’s degree in Theatre to enter the Drama Education Certification Only option.

Certification-only option in School Leadership:

Individuals must currently hold the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College may apply to return to take the additional four-course sequence in School Leadership. The certification program requires a total of 24 credits (12 in addition to the 30 credits earned in the Ed.S. degree program in Curriculum and Instruction). Candidates who hold an Ed.S. degree from another, regionally accredited institution may be considered for admission to the School Leadership Certification program, but may, at the discretion of the faculty, be required to complete additional course work in curriculum and instruction and pass the GACE assessments in Curriculum and Instruction.

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final transcript for the college or university awarding the Education Specialist degree
3. Three professional references; one each from:
   1. Principal
   2. Former professor or instructor
   3. Professional colleague
4. Copy of current educator certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Candidates from independent schools should submit a letter from the principal of head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. (Note: candidates not currently certified in Georgia who are seeking certification must contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.)
5. Professional Activities Resume
6. Verification of Professional Experience (minimum of two years)
7. Copies of two most recent professional evaluations
8. Personal Affirmation Form

Certification-only option in Instructional Technology:

Georgia educators who hold professional teacher certification may wish to pursue a four-course sequence (12 credits) in order to obtain Certification in Instructional Technology. Applicants must hold the minimum of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final and sealed transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
3. Three professional references
4. Personal affirmation form
5. GACE Content Assessment Score Report (Candidates who received a B.A. or M.A. degree in Educational Studies at Piedmont College may apply to return to the College within five years as a certification-only student. A prerequisite for admission as a certification-only student is successful completion of the appropriate GACE content tests.)
    

   Courses taken as a non-degree student may not be applied to a degree until the applicant has satisfied the admissions requirements for that degree, including any required admissions test(s). Courses taken as a non-degree student will be evaluated by the Registrar and the program director or department chairperson. Policies regarding transfer courses will apply.

Non-Degree Graduate (NDG):

Eligibility for application requires a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate Admissions Application
2. Official, final and sealed transcripts from most recent degree
3. Personal Affirmation Form (education only)

Note: If a non-degree graduate student selects a course offered by the School of Education that requires field experience, the non-degree graduate student must receive approval of the Dean of the School of Education before registering for the course.

Non-degree status is available for applicants who wish to take undergraduate or graduate level courses for personal or professional enrichment. No more than nine semester hours may be taken as a non-degree graduate student. Applicants who wish to enroll in more than nine semester hours as a non-degree graduate student must apply for permission from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The non-degree graduate student must meet prerequisite course requirements for any course taken. Non-degree graduate students are not assigned an academic advisor and are allowed to register for courses on a space-available basis where size limitation is a concern.

Courses taken as a non-degree graduate student may not be applied to a degree until the applicant has completed the admissions requirements for that degree including any required admissions test. These courses will be evaluated by the Registrar and the program director or chair. Policies regarding transfer courses will apply.

Tuition for graduate courses taken as a non-degree student is charged at the graduate tuition rate.

Independent School Leadership Studies (Non-degree):

Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

Applicants must also submit:

1. Graduate admissions application
2. Official, final and sealed transcripts from most recent degree
3. Personal Affirmation Form
4. Verification of employment as a leader/administrator (head of school, principal, assistant principal, curriculum director, etc.) in an approved independent school

Courses taken as a non-degree student may not be applied to a degree until the applicant has satisfied the admissions requirements for that degree, including any required admissions test(s). Courses taken as a non-degree student will be evaluated by the Registrar and the program director or department chairperson. Policies regarding transfer courses will apply.

Note: Tuition for graduate courses taken as a non-degree student is charged at the graduate tuition rate and not eligible for federal financial aid.