Admissions Information

Important

If the number of applications exceeds maximum capacity for the ELESPED dual degree in the College of Education, then admissions will review applications and make admissions decisions based on academic standing. Those not admitted are welcome to reapply, and we strongly recommend that students make an appointment with their academic advisor to review their options.

For fall entrance into this program, the online application will open on January 1, 2025, and close January 31, 2025. Late applications will NOT be accepted.

The Elementary & Special Education Department offers a dual major in early childhood and special education, preparing students to work in both fields in grades P-5. All ELESPED cohorts begin in the fall, including 10 credit hours during the summer before their internship. Students in the ELE/SPED program are required to attend orientations, open houses, meet and greets, etc., all of which are held weeks before the official start of the UNG fall semester. Please plan to be available as early as mid-July to attend these required events. Failure to attend these events will result in removal from the program. No exceptions will be made.

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Required

Please read the following information thoroughly before applying to the Elementary & Special Education program:

Professional Development Communities (PDCs)
Field Placement Policy
Pre-Planning Requirements

The following documents must be uploaded when completing the online application
Candidate Beliefs Self-Assessment Survey (document provided in application)

Completed pre-service certification application and Personal Affirmation Questions in your MyPSC account (completed as part of the admission process)

Completed Verification of Lawful Presence Affidavit form (completed as part of the admission process.)

A photocopy of the photo identification that was used when notarizing the VLP (driver’s license, passport, or other government issued photo ID. If using a passport, you MUST include the front and back pages)

Proof of successful completion of Georgia Ethics Assessment (Test Code 360)

A copy of current professional liability insurance. Acceptable examples include student memberships with SPAGE or NEA.

A completed plan of study signed by your College of Education advisor.

Additional program requirements include:

An overall GPA of 2.75 or higher upon admission to the program

GPA’s between 2.5-2.74 are considered please contact coeundergrads@ung.edu for additional information.

Completion of 60 semester credit hours that are applicable to program degree plan of study, including the completion of all courses in Area A1 (ENGL 1101, ENGL 1102), A2 (Math), Area D math, and ALL Area F (EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, MATH 2008, ISCI 2001K/L, ISCI 2002K/L), with grades of C or better upon entering the program.

Upon admissions to the College of Education, the Undergraduate Admissions office requires that you…

Maintain a documented, overall (UNG and Transfer) grade point average of 3.0; and

Register with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and secure your MyPSC account

Special Note for Transfer Students

Transfer students wishing to apply to a teacher certification program must first apply for admission to UNG. Please note that admission to UNG does not automatically guarantee admission to a teacher certification program.

Once admitted, our field placement director places students in Professional Development Communities (PDCs). This placement is for two full years and includes a summer semester.

Please be sure to read the professional development communities, field placement, pre-planning and requirement information thoroughly.