The Department of English at Valdosta State University offers two "add on" certificate programs designed specifically for individuals who have earned a Bachelor's degree in English and a Master's degree in another related field, but who would like to teach concurrent enrollment and beginning undergraduate courses in English at a college level without seeking an additional, full MA in English.

As opposed to a full 36-credit-hour MA degree, the certificate programs require 18 credit hours of graduate coursework. The program is expected to be completed in approximately two years or fewer; however, students have up to seven years to complete the program at their own pace.

Courses are offered by distinguished professors with Graduate Status (Ph.D. and publication in their fields of expertise), several recipients of university teaching and online teaching awards.

The certificates are offered through two different tracks:

Traditional track: a mixture of online and face-to-face (evening) courses with the option to apply to continue for an MA in English degree (Ph.D.; preparatory for teaching upper-division as well as concurrent enrollment and lower-division undergraduate courses). This ceritificate track can be completed in 1-2 years. For more information on admissions criteria and course descriptions, please visit 

/english/programs/english-ma/admission.php or

/english/programs/english-ma/course-options.php.

Students who complete the certificate may apply to enter into the full Traditional MA degree program.

For more information on the MA program, please visit 

.

MAESLAT track: fully online courses with the option to apply to continue for an MA degree in English Studies (greater secondary emphasis; preparatory for teaching concurrent enrollment and lower-division undergraduate courses.) This track can be completed in 1-2 years. For more information on admissions criteria and course descriptions, please visit 

/english/programs/ma-language-arts/admission.php or

/english/programs/ma-language-arts/course-descriptions.php.

For more information on the MAESLAT program, please visit 

/english/programs/ma-language-arts/.

Addtional Information:

Both tracks offer the option to apply to continue for an MA degree under the following titles:

  • Traditional: Master of Arts in English.
  • MAESLAT: Master of Arts in English Studies for Secondary Language Arts Teachers.

There is a rolling admissions period with the following application deadlines for either certificate program: Fall (July 15); Spring (November 15); Summer (April 15).

Both certificate programs prepare students to meet the accreditation standards for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) for teaching college freshman and sophomore writing and literature courses and are offered by a SACS-accredited, non-profit, regional comprehensive university.

Requirements for the Certificate for Teaching College English (Face-to-Face Option)

Literary Theory and Criticism in Graduate Studies 3
Two 8000-level ENGL literature courses (6000- or 7000-level courses may be substituted with permission of graduate coordinator) 6
ENGL 6000 Composition Theory 3
Teaching College Composition 3
Revision and Editing for Professionals 3
or  Principles of Language Study
Total Hours 18

Requirements for the Certificate for Teaching College English (M.A.E.S.L.A.T. Online Option)

Introduction to the Graduate Study for Middle and Secondary English Teachers 3
British Literature for Language Arts Teachers 3
American Literature for Language Arts Teachers 3
Composition Theory for Language Arts Teachers 3
English Grammar for Language Arts Teachers 3
Select one course from the following: 3
Multicultural Literature for Language Arts Teachers
Creative Writing for Language Arts Teachers
Rhetorical Theory for Language Arts Teachers
English Language Change Past and Present
Total Hours 18