The College of Education at the University of North Georgia (UNG) is committed to developing the skills and knowledge of individuals whose career dream is to become a certified teacher or a health, physical education and recreation professional. If this is your dream, find out if you qualify for admission into one of our programs, by exploring this section of frequently asked questions.
Transfer students who wish to apply for admission to any of the College of Education programs must first apply for admission to the University. Please note that admission to the university does not automatically guarantee admission to one of the teacher certification programs. Transfer students must also submit a letter of recommendation from an education professor at the previous institution.
The state of Georgia requires candidates for educator certification to take the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) as part of the educator certification process and admission to a teacher certification program. You must provide proof of successful completion or exemption of GACE Program Admission, as part of your application to a teacher certification program.
The GACE Program Admission Assessment is an academic skills assessment in reading, mathematics and writing. You must pass (or exempt) the GACE Program Admission Assessment as part of the requirements to enter a cohort. Please take it by the end of your freshman year. Students often have problems with receiving their passing scores in time for the Admissions application, which requires that you have passed all the parts of the GACE Program Admission Assessment and the Admissions office has your official scores.
During the first semester of your freshman year, go to the GACE site and type in "preparation" in the search box. Then, find the “Assessment” link. You can view, print, or download FREE preparation materials for reading, writing, and mathematics. If you are doing very well on the sample items, then register for and take the GACE Program Admission Assessment.
Tests from two test administrations can be combined to meet the exemption requirement. (Ex: Verbal from one SAT test administration combined with Math from another SAT test administration.)
In combining scores from two test administrations, if one of the score reports is dated on or after 7/1/19, the minimum SAT score to exempt the GACE Program Admission Assessment (PAA) must be 1080. (Ex. The math score from a score report dated prior to 7/1/19 can be combined with the Evidence based Reading/Writing score from a score report dated on or after 7/1/19, to meet the 1080 minimum required exemption score.)
ACT minimum score of 43 combining English and Math
The minimum passing score for GACE Program Admissions is 250 in each section (reading, math, and writing)
OFFICIAL SAT or ACT score report if exempting GACE Program Admissions. Unofficial test scores and transcripts are no longer accepted.
Effective July 1, 2015, all teacher certification program candidates in the state of Georgia will be required to have a pre-service certificate before entering a school for ANY type of field experience. This means currently enrolled students who finish after July 1, 2015 and students who do not already hold a valid teaching certificate will need a pre-service certificate. The Pre-Service Certificate application must be completed as part of the admissions process. The College of Education will process this application for you through the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC), in order to obtain permission for you to be placed in a school.
Two additional documents are required by the State of Georgia:
Verification of Lawful Presence – This document ensures that the applicant legally resides in the USA. This document must be notarized and accompanied by a copy of a photo ID (for example, a valid driver’s license).
Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment – You must provide evidence that you have completed this exam. You do not have to pass the exam to qualify.
Every student who enters a school setting must purchase insurance prior to admission. Such a policy may provide you with coverage if you are sued by a parent, student, or other, in relation to the performance of your duties on school grounds or off school grounds and while engaged in a field experiences. Coverage is subject to the exclusions noted in the policy.
For a small fee you can become a member of one of the organizations below and a required $1,000,000 Tort Liability insurance policy. You will need insurance for at least two years. Georgia Association of Educators Student Professional Association of Georgia Educators