The National Board Certification for Teachers

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Offering certified educators the opportunity to advance their careers by utilizing prior credit and work experience. 

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At the UWG Graduate School and College of Education, we recognize the value of the National Board Certification (NBCT) as a measure of effective and accomplished teaching. As part of our commitment to supporting lifelong learning, we offer the NBCT Graduate Credit Incentive Program, which allows NBCTs to earn graduate-level credits for the work they have already accomplished.

The NBCT Graduate Credit Incentive is a part of the Graduate Prior Learning or Work Experience Credit Initiative provided by the UWG Graduate School, allowing students to earn credit for knowledge and skills gained through prior experience. Through this program, certified NBCTs can earn three or six graduate-level credits for the work they have already accomplished. These credits can be applied to various graduate degree programs at UWG, tuition-free. Additionally, up to six graduate credits can be earned without applying them to UWG Graduate School (tuition fees included). If you're interested in enrolling in the NBCT Graduate Credit Incentive program, check out our FAQs below for more information.

 

Frequently Asked QuestionsNational Board Certification

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Many districts in the United States offer increased pay for continuing credit hours. Earning three or six credits can go towards increased pay incentives. Consult your local district to obtain more information on pay raise incentives. 

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Yes! The UWG Incentive Program allows students to transfer into various College of Education Graduate School programs. In fact, the Tuition is $0 per credit hour up to six transfer credits. This can save students up to $316 per credit hour for online programs. Teach Fees still apply. Please contact graduate@westga.edu for more information on transferring NBCT Graduate Credit.

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Yes, however, this depends on the institution and its guidelines for transferring credits.

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This depends on if you plan to apply and are successfully accepted into a UWG graduate program (degree-seeking-student) or if you simply want to receive up to six graduate credits without enrolling in a UWG graduate program (non-degree-seeking student). 

  • If you are a degree-seeking student UWG Graduate Program and want to apply for up six credits (tuition-free), please fill out this form and contact graduate@westga.edu before you apply for graduate school. Explain which program you would like to apply to (available programs discussed below). Please include proof of certification within this email. You will then apply for graduate school. 
  • If you are a non-degree-seeking student and would like to receive credits for successfully completing the NBCT Certification, you will contact graduate@westga.edu and acknowledge that you are a non-degree-seeking student and would like to receive Prior Learning Credits for Your NBCT certification. You will enroll in EDUC 7001: National Board Portfolio - Differentiation of Instruction and EDUC 7002: National Board Portfolio – Teaching Practice and Learning Environment. You are not required to do any additional work within this course. Each course is equivalent to three graduate credit hours. The cost for these courses for non-degree-seeking students is $316/credit hour or $948/course. Students receive an S (Satisfactory) for their grade. Please see the Enrollment Guide for Non-Degree Seeking NBCT Graduate Students for detailed instructions on how to enroll. 
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MEd, EDS, and EDD programs are available for NBCT-certified teachers who are degree-seeking students. Degree-seeking students will have six credits hours (two courses) comped, giving them a head start on their degree free of charge.

See the list below for the programs available as part of the NBCTs Graduate Incentive program:

Masters of Education Programs

  1. MED in Instructional Technology, Media & Design, Instructional Technology Concentration
  2. MED in Instructional Technology, Media & Design, School Library Media Concentration
  3. MED in Special Education and Teaching, General Program
  4. MED in Physical Education
  5. MED in Reading Instruction
  6. MED in Elementary Education
 

Educational Specialist Programs

  1. EDS in Instructional Technology, Media & Design - School Library Media Concentration
  2. EDS in Instructional Technology, Media & Design - Instructional Technology Concentration
  3. EDS in Secondary Education
  4. EDS in Elementary Education
  5. EDS in Special Education
 
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Deadlines:

  • July 15th (Fall)
  • November 15th (Spring)
  • April 15th (Summer)