ATEEG: EEA's ​Certification Program in Environmental Education

Our  Partners:

Advanced Training for Environmental Education in GA (ATEEG) 
EEA's nationally-accredited professional certification program in environmental education is intended for formal and non-formal educators, education administrations, EE curriculum developers, interpreters, sustainability educators, environmental and/or conservation professionals, state and county agencies, extension office staff, EE non-profits, parks and recreation/outdoor education organizations, youth program leaders, citizen science programs, or other professionals working or volunteering in the environmental and outdoor learning field.  

Earning EE Certification can advance your career, promote environmental literacy, improve the quality of environmental education in your organization or local community, and support professionalism in the field of environmental education.  Georgia's EE certification is founded on the Professional Development of Environmental Educators:  Guidelines for Excellence established by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).  The program is offered through the Environmental Education Alliance (EEA) in partnership with the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, at University of Georgia. ​

We are building a professional community in the field of environmental education and invite you to join us!

ATEEG: Why Get Certified?

ATEEG History

EE Certification Requirements:

The ATEEG program is comprised of three parts that provide participants instructional content, professional development, and independent work. Participants have three years to complete the certification requirements to graduate.   Your initial EE certification is valid for five (5) years.  

1.  Core Courses 
Core courses are offered yearly and usually more than once in a given year, based on demand.  Candidates must enroll, participate in, and successfully complete each course to earn credit.  If your schedule allows, ATEEG encourages, though not required, that candidates try to complete all three courses in the same year.  To provide flexibility, candidates can start with any of the core courses offered.  

For each of the three (3) core courses, participants complete online, asynchronous work FIRST, then attend a  1 - 1.5 day in-person workshop with instructors held at various locations across the state.  The core courses are:

• Introduction to Environmental Literacy:  Formerly referred to as CC1, this core course focuses on the foundations of environmental literacy all certified environmental educators need to know.  Environmental literacy concepts are based on EE strands, action civics, and professional principles.
• Fostering Learning:  This core course, formerly referred to as CC2, is designed to increase your understanding of how to implement environmental education programs that foster learning no matter where you teach or lead/work with audiences. 
• Assessment and Evaluation:  Assessment & Evaluation is the third course in our ATEEG series.  Formerly referred to as CC3, we aim to increase participant's skills and knowledge associated with the program evaluation process that includes identifying outcomes, data collection methods, and data analysis.​​  

The 2026 schedule for the course offerings and other ATEEG events is listed in the blue column (on right) of this page.   Registrations and more details about these courses/events are linked to each of the course/event titles.   Just click on the event titles to learn more.  

2.  Specialization Hours 
Specialization hours are earned when attending professional development opportunities (workshops, trainings, conferences, etc...) offered in the state that advances the candidate's EE content knowledge and skills.  You may begin accruing the required 30 hours once you are registered and participating in your first core course.  More details about the specialization hours requirement are covered in an ATEEG Orientation meeting all new ATEEG candidates attend with the Program Administrator once enrolled in their first core course.  

3.  Independent Study
The Independent Study is the culminating project that allows EE Certification candidates to apply and demonstrate their EE knowledge and skills in an area of interest.  The candidate starts the Independent Study process after having completed all three (3) core courses.   There will be a Zoom mini-workshop to talk specifically about this EE Certification requirement.   However, the Independent Study is always touched on in each of the core courses to help participants understand how the course topics set candidates up for success with the Independent Study.  In addition, more details about the Independent Study requirement are discussed during an ATEEG Orientation meeting (all new ATEEG candidates attend) with the Program Administrator once enrolled in their first core course. 

More Details & Costs

Certified Environmental Educator Course & Event Offerings in 2026​

Each of ATEEG's three hybrid core courses consists of online, asynchronous modules and a one-day in-person workshop.   Click on each course title to learn more and access its registration form.  

Whether you are new to the program or completing your course requirements,  note that candidates can take the ATEEG core courses in any order.  

If interested, you can pay for all three (3) courses at a package price that protects you against course fee increases in the future.   Scroll down to the bottom of this pane for more information.    

ATEEG Core Courses:
Introduction to Environmental Literacy
(2026 schedule is being finalized)

Fostering Learning in EE
(2026 schedule is being finalized)

Assessment and Evaluation in EE
Start this month, MARCH 2026, on the A&E course with us.   This hybrid course runs in 2 parts...asynchronous online modules AND a 1-day In-Person workshop.   The In-Person workshop meets Wednesday, March 25, at the Kendeda Bldg on Georgia Tech's campus in Atlanta.   Then consider attending the 2026 EEA Annual Conference on March 26-27th (also at the Kendeda Bldg) to participate in more ATEEG sessions and other relevant EE topics being presented.     

Interested in starting ATEEG and want to register for all three (3) Core Courses as a package?  Click ATEEG Core Course Package for more information and discount.

ATEEG Recertification
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