Overview
The College of Education (CoE) offers an early childhood (PreK-3rd grade) and elementary (2nd-6th grade) education licensure program that leads to a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate core in Bible and a major in Teacher Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree in five years. During the undergraduate program, students may explore other fields of study by choosing a minor to fill their electives.
The major in Teacher Education will lay a foundation and provide experiences for the profession of teaching. This major will be partially accomplished in the last undergraduate term when students will register for 14 hours of graduate classes in the Rapid Advancement for Ministry/Marketplace/Missions Placement (RAMP) semester in which competencies will be used in the M.A.T. program (see M.A.T. Program 2).
Students who complete the M.A.T. program and specific South Carolina state requirements will be recommended for initial licensure in early childhood and elementary education. CIU Education Programs are endorsed by the Higher Education Approval Program (HEAP) of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). M.A.T. program graduates who meet specific requirements are eligible to apply for appropriate ACSI teacher or administrator certificates. ACSI waives the certification fee when applying at the time of CIU graduation.
Purpose
The Teacher Education program focuses on equipping Christian educators to think, teach, and lead biblically in educational settings throughout the world. This approach provides a biblical foundation for a career in teaching. Graduates of the five-year, two-degree program will think biblically about the profession of teaching as well as the nature and needs of children. They will be equipped to serve in Christian, international, public, mission, home, charter, and private schools.
Objectives
Upon completion of the five-year, two-degree program, candidates will demonstrate they are becoming discerning educators when they exhibit the competencies that illustrate that they are:
- Learners who explore educational concepts related to content, children, and pedagogy.
- Designers who identify components of effective planning and preparation for instruction.
- Presenters who develop effective educational methodology, communication, and technology techniques.
- Evaluators who observe classroom practice to contextualize theoretical understanding.
- Managers who build a theoretical foundation for effective student engagement and nurturing environments.
- Partners who develop peer collaborative skills with a view toward future professional relationships.
- Professionals who are reflective, responsible learners preparing for an advocacy role in the life of children.
Admittance and Continuation Requirements
Freshman Year
Students will interview with a faculty advisor concerning interest in the Teacher Education program, enroll in their first semester of EDU 3135 - Contemporary Educational Issues , enroll in EDU 2110 - Foundations of Education , and successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.7 GPA.
Sophomore Year
Students will submit an official Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (CORE) report with prescribed minimum scores (Reading 156, Writing 158, Math 142) or ACT or SAT scores with prescribed minimum scores (two-part SAT 1100, three-part SAT 1650, ACT 22) by October 1 or April 1 (depending on fourth semester), enroll in their second semester of EDU 3135 - Contemporary Educational Issues , and successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.7 GPA.
Junior Year
Students will successfully complete practical skills development requirements, apply for provisional acceptance into the Teacher Education program for the RAMP semester (due by October 1 or April 1), enroll in their third semester of EDU 3135 - Contemporary Educational Issues , successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.7 GPA, and complete an application to the M.A.T. program.
Senior Year
Before the RAMP semester, students will complete a minimum of 106 hours that meet the bachelor’s degree requirements for the Bible and Theology core, general education, leadership development and Christian Service Learning, and practical skill development requirements as prescribed by the Teacher Education program, enroll in EDU 3720 - Instructional Design and Assessment , enroll in their final semester of EDU 3135 - Contemporary Educational Issues , complete the CIU dispositional requirements, maintain a minimum 2.7 GPA, meet all M.A.T. program acceptance requirements, and be formally admitted to the Teacher Education program for the RAMP semester. Students will need to submit documentation of a negative TB test as required by school districts upon entering field experiences in the public schools.
During the RAMP semester, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA with no grade lower than 2.0 (“C”) in any education (EDU) course. Additionally, students must satisfy all professional classroom and field experience requirements, which include a faculty review of student dispositions and a Student Life recommendation.
Non-compliance in any semester may lead to a probationary period or discontinuation from the program.
During clinical practice/student teaching in the five-year program, candidates are placed full time in a local public school classroom. In addition to coursework, field experience, and competency requirements before clinical practice/student teaching, candidates must have a “cleared” status on an FBI fingerprint and background check. (Eligible applicants who have prior arrests and/or convictions must undergo a review by the State Board of Education and be approved before a license can be issued.)
See Undergraduate Core for B.A. /B.S. graduation requirements; for the master’s degree see M.A.T. graduation requirements. Although advisors assist students in planning their courses of study, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all requirements for graduation have been met.
