Lead the Way in the Classroom and Beyond with a Mercer Education Degree
Whether you’re looking to become a teacher, upgrade your teaching certificate, or advance your career through a new leadership role, Mercer will help you build the skills and knowledge to make a difference.
What's your goal?
I want to become a certified teacher.
If you do not currently hold a bachelor’s degree or if you hold a degree that did not lead to teaching certification, explore your options to gain initial teacher certification.
I want to upgrade my Georgia educator certificate.
For teachers who currently hold standard renewable teacher certification, prepare to further hone your skills and expertise to take on a new role at your school.
I want to advance my career in P–12 educational leadership.
For educators seeking to enter or advance within educational leadership, prepare to lead the way in P–12 public or independent schools and systems.
I want to advance my career in higher education.
If you would like to establish or continue growing your career in higher education, take a look at our higher education leadership programs.
I want to pursue a career in instructional design.
For individuals seeking to enter or advance within instructional design and technology, prepare to develop your skills for a new role.
Start Your Career in Education Through Initial Teacher Certification
Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.)
Choose from three majors designed specifically for working adults seeking to take classes in the evening, on weekends, and online.
- Early Learning and Development*
- Elementary/Special Education*
- Secondary Education
*also offered as non-degree certification program
Program Format: Blended combination of 25% in-person, 25% asynchronous online, and 50% synchronous online classes
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
Designed for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than education, Mercer’s M.A.T. programs will prepare you to gain initial teacher certification.
- Elementary Education
- Middle Grades Education*
- P–12 Education*
- Secondary Education*
*pedagogy-only
Program Format: Blended combination of 25% in-person, 25% asynchronous online, and 50% synchronous online classes
Upgrade Your Georgia Educator Certificate Through Advanced Teacher Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) – The Advanced Teacher
For teachers with a Level 4 certification, Mercer’s M.Ed. – The Advanced Teacher degree will prepare you to understand and apply the skills of data analysis and educational research that impact educational experiences for all students.
- Elementary Education
- Middle Grades Education
- P–12 Education
- Secondary Education
Program Format: 100% Online
Education Specialist (Ed.S.)
For teachers who are certified at the master’s (T-5) level, Mercer’s Ed.S. programs will prepare you to advance in your career in education and equip you with the necessary skills and experience for success.
- Elementary Education – The Accomplished Teacher
- Middle Grades Education – The Accomplished Teacher
- P–12 Education – The Accomplished Teacher
- Secondary Education – The Accomplished Teacher
- Teacher Leadership
Program Formats
- The Accomplished Teacher: 100% Online
- Teacher Leadership: Blended combination of online and on-campus instruction
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Mercer’s Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction prepares current educators to become scholars, researchers, and leaders in curriculum and instruction at local, state, and national levels.
Program Format: Blended combination of online and on-campus instruction
Endorsements
Endorsements provide training for certified teachers who want to add expertise in specific areas. Students who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and a Level 4 or higher teaching certificate may pursue embedded endorsements as part of their degree program.
Program Format: 100% Online
Advance Your Career in P–12 Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership (P–12 Tier I)
Mercer’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) and non-degree certification in Educational Leadership (P–12 Tier I) prepare candidates for entry-level leadership positions up to the assistant principal within school leadership, or a variety of district-level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (P–12 Tier I)
- Educational Leadership (Tier I) Non-Degree Certification
Program Format: Blended combination of online and on-campus instruction
Educational Leadership (P–12 Tier II)
Mercer’s Tier II Specialist in Education and non-degree certification in Educational Leadership (P–12) meet the growing demand for highly skilled school leaders in Georgia. Individuals will be prepared to take the next step in their professional development, while becoming transformational leaders in Georgia’s schools and communities.
- Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (P–12 Tier II)
- Educational Leadership (P–12 Tier II) Non-Degree Certification
Program Format: Blended combination of online and on-campus instruction
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, P–12 School Leadership
The P–12 School Leadership track of Mercer’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership is designed for school, district, state, or national leaders and blends theory and practice to cultivate transforming leaders.
Program Format: Blended combination of online and on-campus instruction
Ph.D. in Education Leadership, Independent School Leadership
The Independent School Leadership track of Mercer’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership prepares candidates to become leaders in independent schools by helping them grow in their ability to make decisions that propel both their students and their institutions forward.
Program Format: Blended combination of online and on-campus instruction
Advance Your Career in Higher Education
M.Ed in Higher Education Leadership
Mercer’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education Leadership is designed for individuals who are seeking careers as directors, coordinators, managers, or supervisors in higher education at the mid-administration or mid-management level. Concentrations include:
- Athletics Leadership
- Postsecondary Administration
- Student Affairs Leadership
Program Format: 100% Online
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Higher Education Leadership
The Higher Education Leadership track of Mercer’s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership is designed for college and university leaders and practitioners who wish to develop research-based leadership skills and aims to enhance and improve the effectiveness of public and private post-secondary leaders and researchers.
Program Format: Blended combination of online and on-campus instruction
Launch or Advance Your Career in Instructional Design
M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology
Mercer’s Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology equips you with the skills to design engaging learning experiences across many industries while offering flexibility to balance work and studies.
Program Format: 100% Online
Contact Our Admissions Team to Get Started!
Get the Most from Your Education Degree
At Mercer, we offer program features that make your educational experience more effective, efficient, convenient, and affordable.
GaPSC-approved programs. Certification programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).
Convenient classes. Programs are offered fully online or as a blended combination of online and on-campus classes.
Embedded endorsements. Earn an endorsement embedded within your program curriculum.
Prior learning. Receive course credit for prior learning.
Tuition benefit. Receive a tuition benefit through Mercer’s Enterprise Learning Partnership program.
Exceptional faculty. Learn from highly credentialed and accessible faculty who genuinely care about the success of each student.
Transfer your credits. Your existing credits are generously accepted from accredited colleges and universities.
Better online instruction. Mercer’s online programs are taught by the same student-focused and highly experienced professors who lead our on-campus classes.
Know your professors and peers. Mercer’s online learning system connects students with professors and classmates, allowing you to build relationships for a more personalized experience where no one gets lost in the crowd.
Veteran benefits. Professional staff assistance is available to military-connected students and their families.
Reach a higher potential. Earning a Mercer degree is a recognition of achieving academic excellence and advanced career capabilities.
Continuous support. Students enjoy an ecosystem of support from orientation to graduation.
Where are Mercer graduates working?
Mercer alumni are making a difference as educators and educational leaders in schools, systems, colleges, and universities throughout Georgia and across the nation, including:
- Atlanta Public Schools
- Bibb County Board of Education
- Candler County School District
- Cherokee County School District
- Clayton County Public Schools
- Cobb County School District
- DeKalb County School District
- Douglas County School System
- Forsyth County Schools
- Fulton County Schools
- Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
- Georgia State University
- Gwinnett County Public Schools
- Henry County Schools
- Houston County School District
- Jasper County Charter Schools
- Newton County School District
- Oglethorpe University
- Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
- Stephens County School District
- University of North Georgia
Why Mercer?
Mercer University is one of America’s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning, with more than 9,000 students enrolled across 12 schools and colleges. We are ranked among the top tier of national research universities and have earned consistent recognition for our academic programs and educational opportunities.
We have been teaching Georgia’s teachers and educational leaders for more than 100 years, and we are committed to building a strong foundation for tomorrow’s world-changers. At Mercer, our students gain knowledge and experience to teach, lead, and impact their schools, districts, and communities.
What are Mercer graduates saying?
“Mercer gave me the foundational skills to approach challenges from a strategic perspective and execute solutions more effectively for student improvement.”
“The number one reason I chose Mercer is because it has a framework for creating transformative leaders that stood out to me. Mercer is thinking beyond the status quo.”