Teacher Education, BS (or 5 yr BS/MAT)

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Overview

Teacher Education at CIU offers two pathways – a four year/one-degree option and a five year/two-degree option

Teacher Education (4 Year), BS only (below)

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.

Teacher Education (5 Year), BS/MAT (Click here for detailed information )

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 College of Education (CoE) offers a bachelor’s degree program with an undergraduate core in Bible and a major in Teacher Education. Students who complete the Teacher Education Major and specific South Carolina state requirements will be recommended for initial licensure in early childhood (PreK-3rd grade) and elementary education (2nd-6th grade). CIU Education Programs also are endorsed by the Higher Education Approval Program (HEAP) of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Program completing graduates who meet specific requirements are eligible to apply for appropriate ACSI teacher certificates.

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 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.

As candidates journey through the Teacher Education Program, seven milestones (specific points in the learning journey where competencies will have been met) serve as opportunities for evaluation and planning. These milestones are:

Milestone 1: Program Admission
Milestone 2: Involved Learner Review
Milestone 3: Effective Practitioner Review
Milestone 4: Authentic Professional Review
Milestone 5: Clinical Practice/Student Teaching Admission
Milestone 6: Clinical Practice/Student Teaching Exit
Milestone 7: Graduation

Specific dates, deadlines, and competencies for each milestone are detailed in the Teacher Education Candidate Handbook.

Objectives

Upon completion of the four-year 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 an 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
and successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.75 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 150) or a composite score of 464 or higher on the three Praxis Core subtests, with no individual subtest score more than four points below the required passing score for that subtest, or ACT or SAT scores with prescribed minimum scores (two-part SAT 1100, three-part SAT 1650, ACT 22), (The exam must have been taken within the last five years. Information on test sites and registration is available directly from ETS at www.ets.org. CIU code is 5116.
successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA,
and submit a formal application to the Teacher Education program.

Junior Year

Teacher Education candidates who have been formally admitted to the Teacher Education program must:

successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA.
satisfy all professional classroom and field experience requirements, which include a faculty review of student dispositions and a Student Life recommendation.
submit documentation of a negative TB test to the Director of Field Experiences prior to field experience.
One semester prior to EDU 4901 each candidate’s background must be screened and approved through a SLED check prior to participation in any field experience: (http:/www.sled.sc.gov/), pursuant to Section 59-25-115 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Background checks are valid for 18 months.

Senior Year

Teacher Education candidates will:

successfully complete the field experiences requirements and required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA, and complete milestones 2-5.

During the second semester, candidates will be in clinical practice/student teaching where they 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 and be reviewed and cleared through a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) 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.)
Candidates are not permitted to be employed during clinical practice without specific, restricted, approved permission.

Follow these steps for the application process:

Submit an application for Student Teaching Approval and Initial Certification to SC DOE.
Pay a non-refundable processing fee.

Apply for clearance through SC DOE - candidates must complete the Student Teaching Approval and Initial Certification form prior to completing the fingerprinting process and criminal records review.

Non-compliance in any semester may lead to a probationary period or discontinuation from the program. During clinical practice/student teaching, candidates are placed full time in a local public school classroom.

See Undergraduate Core for B.A. /B.S. 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.

Licensure Recommendation Requirements

Candidates who wish to be recommended for South Carolina state initial certification must:

Achieve a grade of “B-” or above in Clinical Practice.
Achieve passing scores (as set by the South Carolina Department of Education) on required Praxis II exams.
Complete Milestone 7.

The application for initial licensure in South Carolina includes a fingerprint review to determine any criminal history – state or federal. 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 to them.

The requirements for a teaching license in South Carolina are subject to change by the State Board of Education and the South Carolina General Assembly during the period for such licensure. The College of Education may revise the teacher education program at any time and cannot assume responsibility for changes or additional courses, including revisions, due to changes in state standards.