Teacher Education (Undergraduate)

Faculty

Karen J. Birkenfeld, Chair, Associate Professor
Jeanelle B. Day, Professor
Amanda S. Hilsmier, Professor
Amy E. Hoaglund, Professor
Erin N. Gilchrist, Associate Professor
Tarsha B. Shepard, Associate Professor
Kathryn M. Scarborough, Assistant Professor

Undergraduate Programs and Requirements

Majors
Early Childhood/Special Education/Elementary/Collaborative Major (B.S.E.)
Elementary Education Major w/a Conc in Christian Education and Missions (B.S.E.)
Secondary Education Major (B.S.E.)
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The Department of Teacher Education offers three distinct undergraduate majors-early childhood/early childhood special education/elementary/elementary collaborative (ESEC); elementary education (ELMN) with a concentration in Christian education and missions; and secondary education (SEED)-all leading to a bachelor of science in education.

Teacher certification is available in the collaborative degree program for grades P-3 (early childhood education and early childhood special education) and grades K-6 (elementary education and elementary collaborative education), in the elementary education program for grades K-6, and in secondary education for grades 6-12 (English, French, German, social science, mathematics, Spanish). In addition, the department offers P-12 teacher certification in world languages and music for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in those respective departments.

Each program offered by the teacher education department complies with teacher certification requirements prescribed by the Alabama State Department of Education.

While all students declaring education as their major are advised in the department, it is also imperative that any student planning to earn certification in education come to the Orlean Beeson School of Education at the beginning of the freshman year for advisement.

Special Requirements

A summary of special requirements for teacher education undergraduate students in general may be noted:

ESEC majors are not required to earn additional majors or minors; however, a concentration in Christian education and missions may be earned by selecting three additional courses.
Students earning P-12 certification in world languages are not required to earn additional majors or minors.
Students wishing to take courses from other colleges must obtain permission beforehand to ensure program compatibility.
Students choosing to take a course offered in summer terms or during the May Term, will incur additional tuition expenses.
Students must complete their program within four years of being admitted to teacher education or reapply for admission.

Admission

Admission to teacher education undergraduate programs and permission to enroll in selected Teaching Field and Professional Studies level courses requires:

A minimum grade of C- in all required courses.
Successful completion of EDUC 200 , EDUC 202 , EDUC 300 , EDUC 323  (ESEC and ELMN majors).
     OR
Successful completion of EDUC 200 , EDUC 202 , EDUC 213  (SEED majors).
A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75.
Completion of a projected schedule with the teacher education advisor.
Satisfactory completion of the Professional Expectations and Responsibilities Module.
Completion of an interview with a faculty member in the School of Education
Documentation verifying ABI and FBI criminal background checks (at the student’s expense).

Note that any student taking a teacher education course (EDUC) with an embedded field experience must provide documentation verifying ABI and FBI criminal background checks at the expense of the student. The teacher education advisor will assist with background check information.

Passing scores on all three (3) sections of the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators examination.
A satisfactory Disposition Assessments.
Demonstration of satisfactory potential for teaching, including evidence of emotional stability and a satisfactory record as to conduct, character, and mental health, to the effect that the applicant does not have any personal qualities prejudicial to satisfactory performance as a teacher.
Completion of application for admission.

Acceptance is contingent upon the recommendation of the faculty admissions committee.

Applicants will be notified in writing of their acceptance or rejection. Transfer students follow the same admission policies. Education courses (EDUC) may not be transferred into the teacher education program without permission from the department chair.

Retention

Once admitted to an undergraduate teacher education program, candidates must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75* (cumulative, major courses, and professional courses) and must maintain professional dispositions desirable for teachers.**
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* Failure to maintain the required minimum cumulative GPA, major teaching field GPA, and professional field GPA will prevent a student from enrolling in specific education courses until that GPA requirement is met. Grades below C- in any course are not permitted; in cases where a lower grade is earned, the course must be repeated.
**Any teacher education candidate who, in the opinion of the School of Education faculty, develops dispositions or characteristics deemed undesirable for the profession may, after review, be removed from, counseled out of, or presented with the option to graduate without certification from the program, regardless of GPA.

Field Experiences

Field experiences in P-12 schools and other learning settings are essential components in the learning process of becoming a professional educator. It is the philosophy of the teacher education faculty that candidates be placed in these settings early and often in their programs of study. All teacher education majors are required to complete a variety of field experiences in a range of settings with diverse populations of students. Field placements will be within driving distance from the university campus. Some EDUC courses hold classes off campus at a partner school campus site.

Clinical Internship

Clinical internship experiences immerse candidates in a school or learning-setting culture and affords them the opportunity to teach while receiving support from an in-service professional and a university mentor. The capstone clinical internship experience includes approximately 15 weeks of student teaching.

Teacher Certification Subject Areas Offered (P-12 and Secondary Education)

Composite Subject Areas (Grades 6-12)	Major Subject Areas (Grades 6-12)	Major Subject Areas (Grades P-12)
English/Language Arts History/Social Science/Studies	World Languages: (French, German, Spanish) Mathematics	World Languages: (French, German, Spanish) Instrumental Music Vocal/Choral Music

Teacher Certification

In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must pass all exit exams and licensure requirements as mandated by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). If a student successfully completes all program requirements, he/she may graduate, but cannot be recommended for certification until all exams are passed and all requirements are met.

Graduation from Samford University does not guarantee teacher or leader certification by the ALSDE or any other state certification agency. Program graduates who delay applying for Alabama certification are subject to changes made in the state certification requirements between the time of degree completion and the time of application. If an individual is not recommended for Alabama certification within five years (60 calendar months) of program completion, the individual will be required to reapply and complete current approved program requirements.

In addition, candidates completing all required coursework in any teacher preparation program but who delay clinical internship (All But Internship or, “ABI”) for more than one year and who intend to apply for teacher certification must comply with current ALSDE certification requirements.

Secondary Education and P-12 Majors

Curriculum requirements for secondary education and P-12 education requirements may be obtained from the certification officer/advisor, or the director of secondary education. All secondary education majors are required to meet with the certification officer/advisor upon admission to the university to ensure timely program completion.

General Education: University Core Curriculum and Distribution Requirements

General Education Distribution Requirements are noted in the individual degree tables. In those cases where a requirement is not specified, see General Education Overview in the Howard College of Arts and Sciences introductory pages for a list of required and applicable courses.

Programs

Major

Courses

Education