What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

Minimum of 36 semester hours

Where will I take classes?
Atlanta Campus

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: May 1
  • Spring: October 15
  • Summer: Does Not Admit

Creative and Innovative Education, M.A.

Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-8020

The M.A. program in creative and innovative education (MACIE) is designed for people who wish to further their knowledge about children as creative thinkers and innovative makers. Our graduates work in diverse fields, such as business, nonprofits, the creative arts, kindergarten through 12th grade education and community outreach organizations.

  • Education courses provide students with a background in child development theories, learning strategies, critical and creative thinking skills and examinations of children’s lives in contemporary society, all through the lens of creative education
  • Additional coursework in business, policy, education or the arts allows students to focus on content that will prepare them for their specific goals
  • Apprenticeships connect students with organizations and businesses in the metro-Atlanta area to expand their knowledge and skills in areas such as nonprofit organizations, start-up companies, after-school programs and teacher leadership

Note: This program does not prepare students to earn a Georgia teaching credential.

VIEW CATALOG INFORMATION

Program Highlights

Our Ideal Candidate

  • Has a bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university
  • Plans to pursue a career focused on children’s creative and innovative learning that may include one or more of the following:
    • Seeks position in an educational, policy or business setting where the focus is creative learning
    • Aspires to start a business enterprise or nonprofit organization to serve children’s creative and innovative learning
    • Wants to increase pedagogical knowledge to foster creative learning in schools and other settings

“I’m looking to change curriculums, I’m looking to impact and influence youth in any way that I can and I feel like this program gives me the option to do so.”

Program Details

Admissions Requirements

When applying to the creative and innovative education master’s program, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (no more than four typed pages that summarizes your career goals related to creative and innovative education with K-12 children, previous work experience with children, anticipated contribution to the program, and ability to work in a team environment; upload with the application)
  • Resume (upload with the application)
  • Two Letters of Recommendation (identify your recommenders on the application)
  • Official Transcript(s): Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Admissions — Graduate School, P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302.
  • Submit transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

Program of Study

The master of arts in creative and innovative education program offers flexible scheduling for students to complete a minimum 12-course, 36-credit hour program. Eight courses are required and students can choose four electives. View the catalog listing to find out more about coursework and electives.

Program Structure

  • 36 total credit hours
  • 8 courses in creative and innovative education
  • 4 courses in selected concentration
  • Apprenticeship related to creative and innovative education

Program Degree Requirements

Master of Arts in Creative and Innovative Education

Professional Studies (6)

  • ECE 7930 Research and Theories of Creative Learning (3)
  • ECE 7990 Special Topics (3)

Major Courses (18)

  • ECE 7760 Create to Learn (3)
  • ECE 7800 Capstone (3)
  • ECE 7850 Apprenticeship in Creative and Innovative Education (3)
  • ECE 7960 Seminar Series (3) (Students will take 1 credit hour for 3 semesters.)
  • ECE 8021 Child Development and Beyond (3)
  • ECE 8100 Children in Society (3)

Electives (12)
Students will select four electives (12 hours) from Georgia State University colleges and schools to fulfill one of the following pathways:

Educational Entrepreneurship and Business
Educational Non-profit Leadership
Arts (including digital arts) Integrated Curriculum Design
Educational Creatives (musicians, visual artists, performers, etc.)

Students can take courses numbered 6000 or above in Art Education (AE), Early Childhood Education (ECE), Learning Technologies (LT), Marketing (MK), Music (MUS), or Policy Studies (PMAP) with the approval of the program coordinator or faculty adviser. Other appropriate courses may be selected with the approval of the program coordinator or faculty adviser.

Changes in the program of study listed above must be approved by the faculty adviser and a copy of the changes sent to the College of Education & Human Development Office of Graduate Student Services.

Program Total: Minimum of 36 semester hours

Funding Your Graduate Education

Cost of attendance and funding opportunities are integral to your decision to attend graduate school. Georgia State University is proud to offer a variety of funding opportunities, including assistantships and fellowships.

Awards and Assistantships

Various awards, assistantships and fellowships are available to new and current graduate students. We encourage you to contact your department, college, school or institute of interest to get more information about the assistantships and fellowships that they offer their students.

The Scholarship Resource Center offers guidance and support to students seeking financial assistance through scholarship opportunities, including this scholarship library.

Fellowships

The Office of Graduate Programs’ Fellowship Advisor works with students interested in applying for nationally prestigious and competitive fellowships. The Office of Graduate Programs also coordinates the application process for students applying to the Second Century Initiative, the Provost’s Dissertation Fellowship and the Dissertation Library Travel Awards.

Cost Calculator

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Description

Careers

This degree will:

  • Connect you with like-minded people who are interested in inspiring children’s creativity and innovative thinking
  • Extend your knowledge about child development and learning with a focus on supporting children’s creativity
  • Provide you with an apprenticeship in a community business or organization
  • Increase pedagogical knowledge to foster creative learning in schools and other settings

Contacts

Program Email
[email protected]

Early Childhood and Elementary Education
[email protected]
404-413-8020

Mailing Address and Office Location
College of Education & Human Development, Suite 550
30 Pryor St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303 USA

College of Education Logo30 Pryor Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.