Acquiring an endorsement is a great way for educators to further their education and stay on top of the latest best practices to use in their classrooms or schools without having to commit to a lengthier degree program. At Thomas University, students can choose from several robust endorsement programs and find the one that best fits their educational goals. Learn more about our endorsement programs below.
“The growing number of endorsement programs is a direct result of our responding to the new program needs expressed by our students and school district partners. Gaining expertise in fields like Gifted In-Field, Dyslexia, Online Teaching, K-5 Mathematics, and Teacher Leadership are important to meeting the needs of all K-12 students, and we are delighted to provide teachers these opportunities.” – Dr. Susan Lynn, Chair of the Division of Education at Thomas University
Dyslexia Endorsement
The Dyslexia Endorsement program is designed to prepare educators with specific knowledge related to reading and language development, instruction, assessment, and remediation of reading disabilities. The nine-credit program is eight weeks long and will be delivered fully synchronous online.
Program Goals
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to identify and describe the foundations of literacy acquisition, as well as identify the distinguishing characteristics of dyslexia and other language difficulties including expressive and receptive language. Graduates will also be well-versed in federal and state laws pertaining to learning disabilities and be able to define the differences among and purposes for screening, progress monitoring, and diagnostic and outcome assessments. Additionally, graduates will be able to integrate, summarize, and communicate the meaning of educational assessment data for sharing.
Lastly, students will complete this program knowing how to implement the essential principles and practices of structured literacy instruction and work collaboratively with relevant professionals to provide intervention to individuals with dyslexia.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Dyslexia Endorsement program, in addition to increasing their expertise in dyslexia instruction, may serve as a school-level resource leader and assist colleagues in recognizing and responding to students displaying characteristics of dyslexia and language disorders. This endorsement also provides the credentials for an educator with ambition to become part of a district’s curriculum staff as a dyslexia expert.
Gifted In-Field Endorsement
The Gifted In-Field Endorsement program’s purpose is to enhance teachers’ understanding of how gifted learners grow and develop in order to design and teach developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences. This program is nine credits, eight weeks long, and will be delivered fully synchronous online.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to describe the variations in learning and development in cognitive and affective areas between and among individuals with gifts and talents and apply this understanding to facilitate meaningful, challenging learning experiences for individuals with exceptionalities. Graduates will also be able to create safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environments so that gifted individuals can become effective learners and develop social and emotional wellbeing.
Additionally, graduates will be able to use their new knowledge of general core content and specialized interventions to advance learning for gifted and talented individuals and deploy methods of assessment and data sources when making educational decisions about identification of gifted individuals and student learning. They will also be able to select, adapt, and use evidence-based instructional strategies to advance gifted individuals’ learning.
Lastly, graduates will be prepared to utilize foundational knowledge of the field and professional ethics principles and programming standards to inform gifted education practice, and be able to collaborate with families, other educators, gifted individuals, related service providers, and personnel from community agencies in culturally responsive ways to address the needs of gifted individuals across a range of learning experiences.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Gifted In-Field Endorsement program are qualified to provide instruction to gifted students in the grade levels and field of their base certification and to serve as a gifted resource teacher for any content or grade level. For those looking to step into leadership, this endorsement also provides documented expertise needed for eligibility for school- and district-level gifted curriculum leadership positions.
K-5 Math Endorsement
The purpose of the K-5 Mathematics Endorsement program is to enhance the mathematical content and pedagogical knowledge of teachers in grades K-5. This program is nine credits, eight weeks long, and delivered fully synchronous online.
Program Goals
After completing the program, graduates will be about to demonstrate fluency, both conceptual and procedural, regarding major mathematics concepts appropriate for grades K-5 and utilize instructional strategies based on current research and national, state, and local standards relating to mathematics instruction.
Moreover, graduates will be able to apply their knowledge of student diversity to affirm and support full participation and continued study of mathematics by all students. Graduates will also have the knowledge to deploy appropriate technology to support mathematic learning and utilize appropriate assessment methods to assess student learning and program effectiveness.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the K-5 Math Endorsement, in addition to increasing their expertise in mathematics instruction, can serve as a school- or district-level mathematics curriculum resource leader for grades K-5. Additionally, in some school districts, the endorsement may lead to a compensation stipend.
Online Teaching Endorsement
The Online Teaching Endorsement program is designed to prepare educators to teach in a virtual classroom environment utilizing technologies and best practices. This program is 12 credits, eight weeks long, and fully synchronous online.
Program Goals
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be equipped to effectively use current and emerging technologies to support student learning and engagement in online learning environments, and incorporate instructional design principles and best practices when designing and facilitating online learning experiences.
Graduates will also have the skills and knowledge to design and implement a multitude of assessments and provide high-quality feedback in online environments, as well as engage in data analysis and reflection to increase student learning and enhance professional growth.
Lastly, graduates will be able to model, guide, and encourage legal, ethical, and safe behavior in online learning environments, and recognize diverse student academic needs, ensure accessibility of online learning, and incorporate appropriate accommodations into online environments.
Career Outcomes
Teachers with the Online Teaching Endorsement, in addition to increasing the expertise in online instruction, will be able to serve as a school- or district-level resource leader for online instruction. This endorsement also provides the credentials for an educator who wishes to join a district’s online/digital academy instructional faculty or even as a teacher or leader in the Georgia Virtual School.
Teacher Leadership Endorsement
The Teacher Leadership Endorsement program’s purpose is to prepare classroom teachers to develop as leaders within their grade levels, as well as in their P-12 schools. The Teacher Leadership program is great for teachers who want to advance their career and expand their instructional knowledge but may also want to stay in or near the classroom. The program is 18 credits and can be completed in one year and in an online or hybrid format.
Program Goals
By the end of the program, graduates will be able to facilitate the design and implementation of intensive, sustained, job-embedded professional learning based on identified student and teacher needs. They will also have the skills to work with others towards the development of a school culture that promotes excellence in teaching and learning and focuses on continued improvement, creating a sense of belonging, and building a work environment that is collaborative.
Additionally, graduates will be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of curriculum and apply it to the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to standards. Graduates will also be equipped to model best practices in pedagogy and serve as a mentor and coach for others, as well as work with others to design and implement assessment practices and analyze data to monitor and improve teaching and learning.
Lastly, graduates of the teacher leadership endorsement will be able to access and conduct research and apply research findings and demonstrate the ability to collaborate with all stakeholders to improve student learning and effect change.
Career Outcomes
Teachers with the Teacher Leadership Endorsement will have the credentials to move into a hybrid position in which they both teach and become a grade-level team leader or department chair. This endorsement also provides the credentials to acquire school- or district-level leadership positions such as curriculum specialist or instructional coach. Moreover, many educators in Georgia choose to obtain a teacher leadership endorsement when pursuing the top tier of the Georgia tiered certification, Lead Professional.