Teacher Education, BS/MAT

Overview

The College of Education (CoE) offers a bachelor’s degree program with an undergraduate core in Bible, 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 (PreK-3rd grade) and elementary education (2nd-6th grade). 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 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 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. 
• 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. (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.) or ACT or SAT scores with prescribed minimum scores (two-part SAT 1100, ACT 22) by October 1 or April 1 (depending on fourth semester). 
• successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.75 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).
• successfully complete required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA.
• 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.
• complete the CIU dispositional requirements.
• maintain a minimum 2.75 GPA.
• meet all M.A.T. program acceptance requirements.
• 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.

One semester prior to EDU 6901 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/). 

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 through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) 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.) Candidates must submit documentation of a negative TB test to the Director of Field Experiences.  Prior arrests of a serious nature or convictions could affect the individual’s ability to complete the clinical experience and qualify for certification in South Carolina pursuant to Section 59-25-115 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Candidates are not permitted to be employed during clinical practice without specific, restricted, approved permission.

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.