Overview
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.
- 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, 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.
- 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 for the first semester of this junior year.
- 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/).
- During the 2 semesters prior to Clinical Practice, which occurs in second semester-senior year, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA with no grade lower than 2.0 (“C”) in any education (EDU) course.
Senior Year
Teacher Education candidates will:
- Successfully complete the field experiences requirements and required classes (see “Course of Study”) with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, with no grade lower than a 2.0 (“C”) in any education (EDU) course, 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 pursuant to Section 59-25-115 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. (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.
Field Experiences (Practicum) and Clinical Practice (Student Teaching)
Teacher education students participate in a variety of carefully planned and sequenced field experiences. They experience structured observations in a variety of settings. Placements include child development centers, early childhood, and elementary classroom settings. In these settings, candidates progress from observation to individual/small group, and then to whole class instruction. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the field experience sites. Field experience culminates with the student teacher assuming full responsibility for the teaching process in a classroom during clinical practice. Field experiences are integrated within coursework, allowing students to spend time in both the university classroom and the field experience classroom. During clinical practice, students are placed full time in a local public-school classroom. Candidates are not permitted to be employed or committed to weekly extended activities without specific restricted, approved permission.
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.
