College of Education

Trade & Industrial Education (T & I) or Healthcare Science Technology Education (HSTE)

The Department of Middle-Secondary Education and Instructional Technology of the College of Education offers this non-degree program that leads to teacher certification in Trade & Industrial Education (T & I) or Healthcare Science Technology Education (HSTE).
Certification in T & I or HSTE allows individuals from specific areas of industry, business, or health to enter the teaching profession based on occupational experience and the minimum education level required for the field. Some of the occupational programs currently operating in secondary schools in Georgia are: automotive service technology, broadcast & video production, commercial art technology, construction, cosmetology, engineering drawing and design, graphic communication, healthcare science technology education, information technology, professional foods, public safety, sheet metal and welding technology.

You must be employed by a school system and hold an initial Technical Specialist certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) to enter this teacher certification program. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements for the initial Technical Specialist teaching certificate. Students are admitted during the summer session to the New Teachers Institute through a special application process and may take the approved courses as non-degree seeking students. The approved courses at Georgia State University are offered at the undergraduate level. Students must pass the Praxis I exam to be recommended by GSU to convert to the Clear Renewable Technical Specialist teaching certificate. The approved sequence consists of 24 semester hours. (Applicants may also enroll in 21 college hours and substitute 3 PSC approved Professional Learning Units (PLU) in the instruction of exceptional children for EXC 2010).

The Professional Standards Commission (PSC) of Georgia issues qualified applicants a Technical Specialist certificate. This certificate is valid for three years. During this time period, the teacher must complete an approved program for Trade & Industrial or Healthcare Science Technology Education, and complete a computer skill competency assessment to qualify for the next level certificate.
Standards in the approved program pertain only to the preparation of Technology/Career Education (formally vocational education) educators. These standards differ from other program standards in that entrance into the teaching profession may not require completion of a baccalaureate degree as a prerequisite for teaching in the vocational field. Therefore, the professional education sequence varies from other teacher education programs.