Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program (TAPP)

The Georgia TAPP program is a two-year, state-approved program that provides an alternative route to teacher certification in Georgia. Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in a teacher certification field (or closely related field with 25 or more semester hours applicable to the desired program of study).

Students must be admitted at the graduate level and meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution.

• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75.

• At least 25 content hours toward the desired field of certification.

TAPP students who would like to obtain a master's degree with related teacher certification may complete the appropriate Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program and be eligible for T-5 certification upon successful completion of the program. For more information on the MAT programs, click on the appropriate link below.

MAT Middle Grades Education

MAT Secondary English Language Arts Education

MAT Secondary History Education

MAT Secondary Mathematics Education

MAT Secondary Science Education (certification in Biology, Chemistry, or Earth Science)

Test requirements:

Pass Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators exam or be exempt with:

Candidates will also be required to pass the GACE Content Skills Assessment with Combination Verbal and Quantitative skills.

Prospective candidates will also need to pass the GRE with a minimum grade of:

• 700 Verbal and Quantitative (for provisional admission).
• 800 Verbal and Quantitative (for regular admission).
• Minimum of 3.5 on the writing test.

Application

Applications are available in January. The deadline to turn in your application is April. Notification of acceptance is sent in May.

Grade level preparation

Course work is designed for individuals preparing to teach middle grades or secondary education.

Subject areas

English, social studies, math, science, middle grades education, foreign language (P-12).

Course work

Begins in June and continues through June and July.

Teaching internship

It is the candidate's responsibility to find a position either before entering the program or during the initial summer training period.

Internship -- two years

Candidates work under an Intern (I) Certificate. Interns are observed every other week by a CSU faculty member and attend an evening seminar on alternate weeks during the first year. Interns are observed a minimum of three times each term and attend a minimum of four seminars each semester during the second year.

Clear, renewable certification

The Department of Teacher Education will recommend candidates who successfully complete all required TAPP course work and teaching internships at the end of the second year for clear, renewable certification in Georgia.

For more information, contact:
Roger Hatcher, TAPP coordinator
Office: 706-569-3118
hatcher_roger@colstate.edu