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Bachelor’s Degrees in Education

Thomas University has carefully designed Education degree programs to foster the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to become an effective professional educator capable of teaching all students.

We offer small classes with ample opportunities to interact with instructors and fellow students. A personal advisor provides academic and personal support from the first day of class through graduation.

In addition to our classes offered at our main campus in Thomasville, TU offers a Flexible Saturday Format designed especially for individuals who have two years of college and wish to earn their teaching certification in Elementary Education, Middle Grades or Secondary education.  The program begins each fall semester and meets via Zoom every other week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Students complete their bachelor’s degree in two years.

One of the Division’s greatest strengths is the faculty, who are experienced PK-12 educators, scholars, and leaders in the field. They are deeply committed to your intellectual growth, and you will be challenged as well as nurtured by them.

“The education department at Thomas University is more of a family than a department. The professors genuinely care about the students and their success. Having small class sizes has allowed us to build lasting relationships with fellow students and professors. With the knowledge and support of my professors, I can honestly say I am ready for a successful first year in the classroom.”

– Jennifer Lester, Class of 2016

+Admissions

Students planning to pursue the bachelor’s degree in education need first to be admitted to the University. Additional requirements must be met prior to being accepted in the major courses and student teaching.

To get started:

Students with no prior college, please provide an official high school transcript or GED. Students with prior college credit must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges.

Send official transcripts to admissions@thomasu.edu.

or

Admissions Office
Thomas University
1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792

Students applying for initial teaching certification (Elementary, Middle Grades or Secondary Education) must complete all the University admission requirements as well as complete the Teacher Education Packet (including signing up for an interview).

Note:  Some requirements are time-sensitive (such as GACE Admission Test, Background Check and the Pre-service Certification application).  This means you must plan for the completion of these items well in advance of your desired start date.

+Elementary Education

The B.S. in Elementary Education provides teacher candidates with a strong foundation in the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to meet the needs of all students in diverse settings. The program provides candidates with an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and an awareness of and sensitivity to cultural diversity and individual differences among young learners. The program is designed to prepare educators to teach in grades PK-5.

My decision to attend Thomas University was the best decision I’ve ever made. Thomas University has exceeded all of my college expectations and greatly prepared me for my future as an educator!”

– Alisan Stewart, Class of 2016


GENERAL EDUCATION
  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Oral Communication for Professionals
  • University Studies
  • Concepts of Math: Number Concepts
  • Math/Science (2 classes)
  • Introduction to Education
  • Social Science electives (2 classes)
  • Creativity electives (2 classes)
  • Cultural Foundations electives (3 classes)
MAJOR
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Pre-K and Kindergarten
  • Interdisciplinary Teaching through Art, Music, and Physical Education/Health
  • Social Studies Curriculum Development
  • Mathematics Curriculum Development
  • Science Curriculum Development
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Methods & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Methods and Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge
  • Educating Exceptional Learners
  • Teaching Reading
  • Children’s Literature
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Student Teaching Seminar
  • Student Teaching
Open Electives (5 classes) TOTAL CREDITS 120 CIP Code 13.1203
The Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education leads to certification for pre-kindergarten to grade five in Georgia. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the teaching profession will grow considerably in the next decade, with more than 1.5 million jobs for teachers. You could be one of them! Becoming a teacher offers you:
  • The opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of children.
  • Satisfaction of contributing to your community.
  • A chance to change the future.
  • An outlet for your creativity.
  • A work environment where no two days are ever alike.
  • A job surrounded by energetic young people who help you retain a sense of playfulness and possibility.
You will also have the opportunity to continue your education with an advanced degree in education at Thomas University. TU offers Master of Education degrees in:
  • Elementary Education
  • Middle Grades Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Language Arts
  • Secondary Mathematics
  • Secondary English
  • Curriculum and Instruction
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Early and frequent opportunities to co-teach in local schools with a master teacher;
  • Low student-to-faculty ratio of 1:10;
  • Traditional campus-based format, plus a Saturday format option;
  • Three-year, 100% pass rate on state certification exams (edTPA and GACE);
  • Job placement rate in local schools is 100%;
  • Work experience credit offered to qualified para-professionals;
  • Faculty are experienced in K-12 education, highly credentialed, and supportive of students;
  • Financial aid and monthly payment plans are available;
  • Thomas University is ranked among the most affordable private institutions in Georgia, according to the Georgia Independent College Association.

+Middle Grades Education

The Middle Grades Education program is designed to prepare professional educators to teach grades 4-8. Teacher candidates majoring in Middle Grades Education select two areas of concentration from mathematics, language arts, and science.  The program emphasizes the candidate’s understanding of adolescent development, educational psychology, curriculum, assessment and teaching strategies particular to the teaching of middle grades.

Careers

A bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education leads to initial teacher certification in two content areas (language arts, mathematics, science or social studies) for grades 4-8 in Georgia. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the teaching profession will grow considerably in the next decade, with more than 1.5 million jobs for teachers. You could be one of them!

Becoming a teacher offers you:

  • The opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of children;
  • Satisfaction of contributing to your community;
  • A chance to change the future;
  • An outlet for your creativity;
  • A work environment where no two days are ever alike; and
  • A job surrounded by energetic young people who help you retain a sense of playfulness and possibility.

You will also have the opportunity to continue your education with an advanced degree in education at Thomas University. TU offers several Master of Education degrees in:

  • Elementary Education
  • Middle Grades Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Language Arts
  • Secondary Mathematics
  • Secondary English
  • Curriculum and Instruction

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

GENERAL EDUCATION
  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Oral Communications for Professionals
  • University Studies
  • Introduction to Education
  • Social Science elective
  • Math/Science elective (3 classes)
  • Creativity electives (2 classes)
  • Cultural Foundation electives (3 classes)
MAJOR
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Method & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Methods & Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge
  • Education Exceptional Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Student Teaching
  • Student Teaching Seminar
Middle Grades Language Arts Content
  • Child and Adolescent Literature
  • Academic Discourse Applications
  • Argumentative and Persuasive Writing
  • American/British Literature (2 classes)

Second Content Area (5 classes)

Open Elective

TOTAL CREDITS 120 CIP Code 13.1203
GENERAL EDUCATION
  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Oral Communications for Professionals
  • University Studies
  • Introduction to Education
  • Pre-Calculus
  • Social Science elective
  • Math/Science elective (2 classes)
  • Creativity electives (2 classes)
  • Cultural Foundation electives (3 classes)
MAJOR
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Method & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Methods & Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge
  • Education Exceptional Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Student Teaching
  • Student Teaching Seminar
Mathematics Concentration
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Set Theory
  • Introduction to Probability Theory
  • Geometry
  • Developing Algebraic Concepts

Second Content Area (5 classes)

Open Elective

TOTAL CREDITS 120

CIP Code 13.1203
GENERAL EDUCATION
  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Oral Communications for Professionals
  • University Studies
  • Introduction to Education
  • Statistics
  • Social Science elective
  • Math/Science elective (2 classes)
  • Creativity electives (2 classes)
  • Cultural Foundation electives (3 classes)
MAJOR
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Method & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Methods & Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge
  • Education Exceptional Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Student Teaching
  • Student Teaching Seminar
Social Studies Concentration
  • Georgia History
  • Latin American History
  • History of the Middle East
  • African Nationalism
  • Contemporary Asia

Second Content Area (5 classes)

Open Elective

TOTAL CREDITS 120

CIP Code 13.1203
GENERAL EDUCATION
  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Oral Communications for Professionals
  • University Studies
  • Introduction to Education
  • Algebra
  • Social Science elective
  • Math/Science elective (2 classes)
  • Creativity electives (2 classes)
  • Cultural Foundation electives (3 classes)
MAJOR
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Method & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Methods & Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge
  • Education Exceptional Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Student Teaching
  • Student Teaching Seminar
Science Concentration
  • Biology I
  • Biology II
  • Physical Science I
  • Physical Science II

Second Content Area (5 classes)

TOTAL CREDITS 120

CIP Code 13.1203
  • Early and frequent opportunities to co-teach in local schools with a master teacher;
  • Low student-to-faculty ratio of 1:10;
  • Traditional campus-based format, plus a Saturday format option;
  • Three-year, 100% pass rate on state certification exams (edTPA and GACE);
  • Job placement rate in local schools is 100%;
  • Work experience credit offered to qualified para-professionals;
  • Faculty are experienced in K-12 education, highly credentialed, and supportive of students;
  • Financial aid and monthly payment plans are available;
  • Thomas University is ranked among the most affordable private institutions in Georgia, according to the Georgia Independent College Association.

+Secondary Education

The bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education is designed to prepare professional educators to teach grades 6-12. The program emphasizes development of candidate understand of adolescent development, educational psychology, curriculum assessment and teaching strategies particular to secondary mathematics or English.

“The TU secondary mathematics program gave me the opportunity to work with a variety of people, both students and professors, that allowed me to develop a better understanding of diverse backgrounds. I feel truly prepared to step into my role as a teacher and know that I will be successful at it because my professors at TU have made it so.”
– Katie Meissner, Class of 2016


GENERAL EDUCATION
  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Oral Communications for Professionals
  • University Studies
  • Introduction to Education
  • Social Science elective
  • Math/Science elective (3 classes)
  • Creativity electives (2 classes)
  • Cultural Foundation electives (3 classes)
MAJOR
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Methods and Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Methods & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Middle Grade Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Educating Exceptional Learners
  • Student Teaching Seminar
  • Student Teaching
Secondary English Content
  • Creative Nonfiction Writing
  • Argumentative and Persuasive Writing
  • Creative Writing
  • American Literature Survey I
  • American Literature Survey II
  • British Literature Survey I
  • British Literature Survey II
  • Shakespeare
  • Academic Discourse Applications
  • Child and Adolescent Literature
Open Elective TOTAL CREDITS 120 CIP Code 13.1205
GENERAL EDUCATION
  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • Oral Communications for Professionals
  • University Studies
  • Introduction to Education
  • Statistics
  • Social Science elective
  • Math/Science elective (2 classes)
  • Creativity electives (2 classes)
  • Cultural Foundation electives (3 classes)
MAJOR
  • Teacher Candidate Orientation
  • Methods and Strategies for Teaching Early Adolescent Learners
  • Educational Psychology
  • Teaching Methods & Strategies
  • Teaching Diverse Learners
  • Assessment Strategies to Improve PK-12 Learning
  • Instructional Technologies in the PK-12 Classroom
  • Models of Teaching
  • Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Teaching Middle Grade Learners
  • Reading in the Content Area
  • Diagnosing & Remediation Reading Difficulties
  • Educating Exceptional Learners
  • Student Teaching Seminar
  • Student Teaching
Secondary Mathematics Concentration
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Calculus I
  • Calculus II
  • Introduction to Linear Algebra
  • Set Theory
  • Introduction to Probability Theory
  • Geometry
  • Discrete Mathematics
  • Developing Algebraic Concepts
  • Mathematics Problem Solving & Error Analysis
Open Elective TOTAL CREDITS 120 CIP Code 13.1205
The Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education leads to initial teacher certification in mathematics or English for grades 6-12 in Georgia. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the teaching profession will grow considerably in the next decade, with more than 1.5 million jobs for teachers. You could be one of them! Becoming a teacher offers you:
  • Opportunity to profoundly impact the lives of children.
  • Satisfaction of contributing to your community.
  • A chance to change the future.
  • An outlet for your creativity.
  • A work environment where no two days are ever alike.
  • A job surrounded by energetic young people who help you retain a sense of playfulness and possibility.
You will also have the opportunity to continue your education with an advanced degree in education at Thomas University. Thomas University offers Master of Education degrees in:
  • Elementary Education
  • Middle Grades Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Language Arts
  • Secondary Mathematics
  • Secondary English
  • Curriculum and Instruction
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • Early and frequent opportunities to co-teach in local schools with a master teacher;
  • Low student to faculty ratio of 1:10;
  • Traditional campus-based format, plus a Saturday format option;
  • Three-year, 100% pass rate on state certification exams (edTPA and GACE);
  • Job placement rate in local schools is 100%;
  • Work experience credit offered to qualified para-professionals;
  • Faculty are experienced in K-12 education, highly credentialed, and supportive of students;
  • Financial aid and monthly payment plans are available;
  • Thomas University is ranked among the most affordable private institutions in Georgia, according to the Georgia Independent College Association.

Fieldwork Information

Thomas University

Education that Engages
...Empowers...
Transforms

1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792
229.226.1621
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