Welcome to Georgia's BEST, a recruitment and retention support for educators led by the Cobb County School District and University of West Georgia (UWG).

Together, we are committed to supporting you and are excited to offer graduate degrees, at no tuition cost to you.

 

**Applicants must have at least 3 years of acceptable teaching experience at an accredited PK-12 school (excluding supply/substitute, paraprofessional, or as a member of a board of education).**

Spring 2027 Cohort (interest submissions for this cohort close on Friday, September 4 at 5:00 PM.)

M.Ed. – Special Education and Teaching - Autism/Dyslexia –- UWG Program Details

The M.Ed. program in Special Education - Autism/Dyslexia prepares candidates to expand their professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions for enhancing effective practice through the exploration of new knowledge and the comprehension of research constructs.

• Bachelor's degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 2.7 or higher on most recent degree is required for admission.
• Present a clear and renewable teaching certificate in Special Education.

M.Ed. – Special Education and Teaching, General (Elementary)  -- UWG Program Details

The M.Ed. in Special Education and General Program is designed to prepare candidates to expand their professional knowledge and expertise for improving the educational and behavioral outcomes of students with diverse needs.

• Bachelor's degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher on most recent degree is required for admission.
• Present a clear and renewable teaching certificate in Special Education.

M.Ed. – Special Education and Teaching, General (Middle Grades/High School)  -- UWG Program Details

The M.Ed. in Special Education and General Program is designed to prepare candidates to expand their professional knowledge and expertise for improving the educational and behavioral outcomes of students with diverse needs.

• Bachelor's degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher on most recent degree is required for admission.
• Present a clear and renewable teaching certificate in Special Education.

Ed.S. – Special Education  –- UWG Program Details

The Ed.S. in Special Education is an advanced degree program designed for special educators and speech language pathologists looking to deepen their expertise in instruction, intervention, and special education leadership. The program  is designed to meet the needs of teachers certified in Special Education who have completed a master's degree in special education. 

• Master’s degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher on most recent degree is required for admission.
• Present a clear and renewable T-5 teaching certificate in Special Education or Service certificate in Speech-Language Pathology.

M.Ed. – Elementary Education –- UWG Program Details

The M.Ed. in Elementary Education prepares teachers to be instructional leaders through research-based practices that deepen theoretical and pedagogical knowledge. 

• Bachelor’s degree required from an accredited institution in Early Childhood or Elementary Education.
• GPA of 2.7 or higher on most recent degree is required for admission.
• Present clear and renewable certificate in Elementary Education.

M.Ed. – Reading Instruction –- UWG Program Details

The M.Ed. in Reading Instruction is designed for educators who desire graduate studies in reading, language, and literacy theories, research, and instructional practices. 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher required from an accredited institution.
• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or higher is required for admission.
• A minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience (excluding supply/substitute and paraprofessional).
• Proficiency in the foundations of reading, literacy, and language. Please visit the M.Ed. in Reading Instruction program site for specific admission requirements.

M.Ed. – Learning Design and Educational Technology – Instructional Technology (Elementary P-5 certification) – UWG Program Details

The M.Ed. in Learning Design and Educational Technology is designed to prepare innovative, academically grounded instructional practices and research. It is appropriate for educators who wish to improve their instructional practices and support other educators by designing instructional resources and providing coaching. This cohort is for educators who hold clear and renewable P-5 certification in Elementary Education.

• Bachelor's degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 2.7 on most recent degree is required for admission.

M.Ed. – Learning Design and Educational Technology - Instructional Technology (Middle Grades /High School certified) – UWG Program Details

The M.Ed. in Learning Design and Educational Technology is designed to prepare innovative, academically grounded instructional practices and research. It is appropriate for educators who wish to improve their instructional practices and support other educators by designing instructional resources and providing coaching. This cohort is for educators who hold clear and renewable certification in Middle Grades and Secondary Education.

• Bachelor's degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 2.7 on most recent degree is required for admission.

Ed.S. – Learning Design and Educational Technology – Instructional Technology (Elementary P-5 certification) –- UWG Program Details

The Ed.S. in Learning Design and Educational Technology is designed for educators with a master’s degree and provides superior student-focused education that is personally relevant and intellectually challenging. This cohort is for educators who hold clear and renewable P-5 certification in Elementary Education.

• Master's degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 3.0 on most recent degree is required for admission.
• Review the “General” track program sheet for more information.

Ed.S. – Learning Design and Educational Technology – Instructional Technology (Middle Grades/High School Certified) –- UWG Program Details

The Ed.S. in Learning Design and Educational Technology is designed for educators with a master’s degree and provides superior student-focused education that is personally relevant and intellectually challenging. Levels will be placed in separate cohorts. This cohort is for educators who hold clear and renewable certification in Middle Grades and Secondary Education.

• Master's degree required from an accredited institution.
• GPA of 3.0 on most recent degree is required for admission.
• Review the “General” track program sheet for more information.

Ed.D. – Ed.D. with a Major in School Improvement (33 credit hours) – UWG Program Details

• The Ed.D. with a Major in School Improvement is designed for educators with an Ed.S. degree along with a Level 6 certificate in a Georgia-approved teaching, leadership, or service field. This program offers an opportunity for educators to become change agents as they serve in PK-12 schools.
• Specialist degree required from an accredited institution.
•  Applicants must hold a conferred Ed.S. degreein a teacher, leader, or service field.
  • A Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) does not meet the admission requirement for this track.
• Applicants must present a clear and renewable Georgia PSC Teacher, Leader, or Service Level 6 certificate in the same field as the conferred Ed.S. degree (example: Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership and hold Leadership certification)
• Visit the Ed.D. program site for specific admission requirements.