Education Degree | LaGrange College

A female student sit at a desk with her colorful laptop open.

More Knowledge. More Heart. More Impact.

Teaching is a calling. LaGrange gives you the mentorship, experience, and community connections to answer it — wherever your path leads.

Choose Your Path

LaGrange's Education programs are designed to meet students where they are and take them where they want to go. Three certification tracks lead directly to initial teacher licensure in Georgia. Two additional options serve students pursuing education in a broader professional context.

Certification Pathways

Elementary Education — B.A. Prepare to teach grades K–5 with a B.A. that leads to initial certification in Georgia. Candidates complete a rigorous sequence of field experiences, culminating in a full year of student teaching — one of the most immersive clinical experiences available in an undergraduate teacher preparation program. Graduates may also continue into the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for advanced professional preparation.

Middle Grades Education — B.A. to MAT LaGrange does not offer a standalone undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education, but multiple pathways lead to certification for grades 4–8. Candidates pursuing a content area bachelor's degree can begin taking MAT coursework as early as their junior year (with a 3.0 GPA and 90 completed semester hours), completing initial certification within 13 months of graduation and entering the field with a master's degree. The Teaching Minor is strongly encouraged as a complement to this pathway. Alternatively, students in the Education Studies program can follow the same MAT pathway to certification.

Secondary Education — B.A. to MAT The recommended pathway to secondary certification follows the same structure as Middle Grades: earn a content area bachelor's degree, pair it with the Teaching Minor, and complete the MAT for initial certification and a master's degree within 13 months of graduation. As with Middle Grades, qualified students (3.0 GPA; 90+ credit hours) may begin MAT coursework before completing their undergraduate degree.

For both Middle Grades and Secondary pathways: students must meet MAT admission requirements — passing the GACE Program Admission Assessment, or a combined SAT score above 1080 or ACT score above 43 — to begin graduate coursework as an undergraduate.

A group of students work at a table in the library

Additional Options

Education Studies — B.A. (Non-Certification) For students interested in education without pursuing initial teacher licensure. Education Studies builds an analytical foundation in educational psychology, child development, and cultural diversity, with two student-selected concentration areas from options including Mathematics, Science, English, Social Studies, Fine Arts, and Coaching and Physical Education. Well-suited for careers in nonprofit, corporate training, community education, or independent and international schools — and a natural entry point into the MAT for those who later pursue certification.

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Teaching Minor — 18 Hours Six courses that develop foundational teaching skills for students in any major. Especially recommended for candidates pursuing Middle Grades or Secondary certification through the MAT pathway, but valuable for anyone whose career will involve teaching or training children or adults.

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“LaGrange professors invest in their students. The small class sizes allow you to build real connections with faculty who truly want to see you succeed—not just academically but in life.”

Jasmine Owens ’27

Where Preparation Meets Practice

Education at LaGrange is built around real classroom experience from the start. Students engage with schools, students, and communities from early in their program through a structured sequence of field experiences that grow in depth and responsibility each semester.

Field Experiences Students begin observing and participating in local classrooms early in the program, developing practical skills and professional judgment alongside their coursework. Field placement opportunities grow progressively in scope and responsibility, preparing candidates for the transition to full-time student teaching.

Yearlong Student Teaching Every Elementary Education candidate completes a full year of student teaching — one of the most rigorous and immersive clinical experiences available in an undergraduate teacher preparation program.

Study Abroad Education students have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of global education through study abroad experiences in Thailand, Greece, New Zealand, and Costa Rica — exploring how culture, identity, and community shape the way people learn.

Where Graduates Go

More than 95% of LaGrange Education graduates are employed in education or related fields after graduation — prepared not only with content knowledge, but with the philosophy, ethics, and cultural responsiveness required of outstanding educators.

Broader Education Careers Nonprofit / Community Educator | Corporate Training & Development | Higher Education Administration | Independent or International School Faculty

Graduate Study Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) | Ed.S. and Ed.D. Programs

95%+

of graduates employed in education or related fields

Why Education at LaGrange?

Five degree pathways — certification and non-certification options for every goal
100% of Elementary Education candidates complete a yearlong student teaching experience
MAT pathway to full teacher certification in as few as 13 months
Begin graduate coursework before finishing your undergraduate degree (qualifying students)
Faculty who bring decades of classroom, leadership, and research experience — many are LaGrange alumni themselves
Deep roots in the local school community, with field placement partnerships throughout the region

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Gretta Milam, Associate Professor, Department Chair, Director of Graduate Studies — B.A., M.Ed., LaGrange College; Ed.S., Troy State University; Ed.D., University of West Georgia | mwright@lagrange.edu | 706-880-8203

Dr. Don Livingston, Professor of Education — B.S., Drexel University; M.Ed., West Chester University; Ed.D., Georgia Southern University | dlivingston@lagrange.edu | 706-880-8017

Dr. Sharon Livingston, Professor of Education, Assessment Coordinator — B.S., Drexel University; M.S., West Chester University; Ph.D., Georgia State University | slivingston@lagrange.edu | 706-880-8006

Professor Lyn Perry, Director of Field Experiences — B.S., Auburn University; M.Ed., Jacksonville State University; Ed.S., LaGrange College; NBPTS Certified, Exceptional Needs Specialist | lperry2@lagrange.edu | 706-880-8202

Dr. Vicki Pheil, Assistant Professor of Education — B.A., M.Ed., LaGrange College; Ed.D., Columbus State University; NBPTS Certified, Early Adolescence English Language Arts | vpheil@lagrange.edu | 706-880-8584

Professor Randolph "Dolph" Hardigree, Lecturer of Education — B.S., Auburn University; M.Ed., Auburn University; Ed.S., LaGrange College | [email on file]

Ms. Vivian Barnes, Administrative Assistant, Certification Officer | vbarnes@lagrange.edu | 706-880-8646