By Claire Miller, Georgia State University
In 1967, 21 Atlanta-area school superintendents petitioned the president of Georgia State University (then known as Georgia State College) to establish a public graduate school of education. President Noah Langdale agreed, and the School of Education was born.
This connection between local school districts and the School of Education—now known as the College of Education & Human Development (CEHD)—would set the stage for almost six decades of collaboration between K-12 and university-level educators, all of whom work tirelessly to ensure teachers are prepared to provide a high-quality education to their students. In addition, the college expanded its scope beyond its initial charge to prepare local educators. Today, the CEHD’s work extends beyond the classroom, with academic programs in health and human services fields that support individuals, families and communities while advancing the college’s mission to move lives forward.
At the heart of the College of Education & Human Development is its commitment to access and opportunity. Through a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, the CEHD opens doors for students at every stage of their academic and professional journeys.
College faculty deliver in-person, hybrid and online academic programs designed to support students from all walks of life: first-time college students working toward their bachelor’s degree, working professionals advancing their careers and researchers shaping the future of their fields. The CEHD’s educator preparation programs ensure that students interested in becoming elementary, middle and high school teachers, school counselors, school psychologists and school- and district-level leaders have the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their careers. The college’s graduates enter classrooms and schools prepared to lead, innovate and make a meaningful impact.
Students considering careers outside of the traditional school settings can choose from a variety of academic programs in health and human services. These program professionals support communication, rehabilitation and leadership across the lifespan, with offerings in areas such as communication sciences and disorders, educational psychology, instructional design and technology, rehabilitation counseling and sport administration.
For professionals seeking additional credentials, the CEHD offers certificates and endorsements that allow them to expand expertise, meet workforce demands and advance without putting their careers on hold. Options include audiology, literacy, special education and sign language interpreting, among others.
Partnerships are central to the college’s success and impact. By working closely with schools, businesses and organizations, the CEHD ensures that its programs respond directly to real-world needs.
One example is the Pathways to Teacher Credentialing Project, a partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Newton County School System and Rockdale County Public Schools. This initiative strengthens the educator pipeline by investing in professionals already serving local classrooms. Provisionally licensed and paraprofessionals with bachelor’s degrees in these four districts earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, which prepares them to become certified teachers of record. At the same time, licensed and certified classroom teachers earn a Master of Education degree to enhance their skills and advance in their careers. The project builds on the College of Education & Human Development alumni’s strong retention rates in Georgia. About 95 percent of CEHD teacher education alumni stay in the metro Atlanta area for their careers, and 87 percent are still working in high-needs schools three years after graduation. And by recruiting educators who already work in these districts and have demonstrated a commitment to a career in education, Pathways reinforces the state’s teacher workforce and gives Georgia students a quality education from well-prepared educators.
The college’s partnerships also reflect a strong commitment to leadership development. The college’s Principals Center and its educational leadership faculty have a long-standing partnership with Fulton County Schools’ Department of Professional Learning and Leadership Development to support new principals and address leadership shortages in the district. The Principals Center’s customized programs and monthly one-on-one coaching sessions have helped Fulton County Schools achieve a 97 percent retention rate for new principals. Since 2021, the college’s Tier I and Tier II educational leadership programs have enrolled more than 150 educators from Fulton County, giving them the training and support they need to become leaders in the school district.
The college’s community impact also extends to adult learners. The CEHD’s Adult Literacy Research Center has worked with the Technical College System of Georgia’s Office of Adult Education to learn more about incorporating digital literacy skills into adult education classes, improve onboarding for adult education teachers and increase student retention rates.
As the region continues to grow, the College of Education & Human Development remains committed to strengthening Georgia’s educational landscape and supporting students at every level. This means preparing professionals, maintaining positive relationships with local partners and supporting communities in metro Atlanta and across the state. In this way, “moving lives forward” is not just a motto, but the college’s guiding principle.
To learn more, visit Georgia State University's website.
