Undergraduate Bulletin 2010-2011 Download

Education

Faculty/Staff

Marcel Sargeant, Chair

Carol Campbell, Program Director and Certification Officer; Michael England, Randy Gilliam.

Carol Campbell, Alternative Certification Program Director.

Aims of the Program

The Education Department of Southwestern Adventist University directly addresses the mission to which the University is committed by preparing individuals for effective service in this world. The program incorporates a broad liberal arts education as a basis for the more in-depth focus on academic teaching specializations, field based experience and the pedagogy associated with the teaching and learning process. The program prepares individuals for a profession in which they can affect the lives of others in a Christian paradigm.

Program Objectives for Teacher Education

Southwestern Adventist University's goal is to provide each student with outcome driven educational competencies. Upon completion of this program, the student will demonstrate:

Subject Matter Proficiency
Instructional Planning Using Broad Based Media
A Variety of Presentation Skills to meet the needs of a diverse population
Assessment and Screening Procedures to ensure competency
Supervision and Management Skills
Record Keeping as a Process of Accountability
Christian Professional and Interpersonal Responsibilities for service in their local church

The Teacher Education Program

The Teacher Education Program at Southwestern Adventist University provides teacher training in elementary education, including the intermediate school, and at the secondary level. Through the School of Graduate Studies one can obtain a masters degree in Education.

The Education program is designed to prepare students for certification with the State of Texas, and thus be qualified to teach in either the public or private sector. This preparation is accomplished through a combination of campus and field-based delivery systems.

Degrees are awarded by Southwestern Adventist University, while certification is awarded by the State of Texas. Therefore, a student may seek certification upon completion of any degree, the completion of a state-approved teacher certification program, and the receipt of a satisfactory score on the TExES examinations. To be recommended for certification by Southwestern Adventist University, a minimum of 12 successful semester hours in residence is required.

The State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) establishes the teacher certification standards. Any change in these standards must be reflected in Southwestern Adventist University's certification requirements; therefore, any modification in the state law affecting our certification requirements takes precedence over statements in the Bulletin.

Seventh-day Adventist teacher certification may be acquired simultaneously by meeting the requirements as outlined in the North American Division Office of Education, "Certification Requirements, K-12", as revised in 2001.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Admission to the University and admission to the Teacher Education Program are two separate entities. Students pursuing teacher certification or Teacher's Professional Development courses will be required to take and pass the Texas Higher Education Assessment (THEA) exam. Registration bulletins for taking the THEA are available in the Teacher Education Department. The THEA is offered six times each year. Persons who fail the test may retake it after a four month interval for as many times as needed to pass.

Professional education course work is reserved for students who have met admissions requirements, made application and have been approved by the Teacher Education Committee. The requirements for admission to teacher education at Southwestern Adventist University are as follows:

Take the THEA exam and meet a minimum score of 260 in reading, 230 in math, and 220 in writing. Passing standards are subject to change, as the State Board of Education changes minimum standards. Note: You are exempt from the THEA if you earned a score of 500 or beter in the areas of Math and Verbal on your SAT or if your ACT score had a cojposite of 21 with at least a 19 in Math and Language.
Have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours, or be enrolled in the semester that will complete 60 hours.
Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75.
Have completed with a "C" or higher College Algebra, Fundamentals of Speech, Freshman Composition and Research and Professional Writing or equivalent courses.
Secondary Education certification candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in their major courses.
Meet all other requirements implemented by the Education Department faculty.
Before acceptance all students must submit to, pay for, and pass a criminal background check.

The candidate is responsible for initiating the application, which is available in the Office of Teacher Certification. All applications will be accompanied by:

A statement of purpose - a one page, typed essay describing reasons for desiring a profession in the teaching field.
Two letters of recommendation from individuals other than relatives. Preferably, these recommendations will come from SWAU faculty members not in the Education Department, or other work experience supervisors.
A personal background check with satisfactory results.

Degree Plan

After the student has been admitted to the Teacher Education Program, they should develop a degree plan with their major advisor and the Department of Education. The plan will show the declared major or teaching fields, the work completed and the remaining requirements for the degree. Copies of the degree plan will be filed with the Registrar's Office, Teacher Education Department and the major advisor.

Retention in the Teacher Education Program

To be retained in the Teacher Education Program, students must:

Maintain a cumulative 2.75 grade point average in all course work.
Secondary Education certification candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in their major courses.
Give evidence of satisfactory professional growth.
Show promising development in field experiences.
Demonstrate behavior that is ethically and morally responsible.

At the end of the junior year, the teacher education staff will review each student's progress and advise each according to the findings. A student found in violation of any of the above criteria will be placed on probation. Probationary procedures may be obtained from the Education Department.

Student Teaching

Student Teaching is a privilege granted to the student through the courtesy of the school and/or district to which the student teacher is assigned. Prompt and regular attendance is required. Students are advised to become familiar with the Student Teaching Handbook prior to student teaching.

Student teaching normally will be taken during the last semester. Student teaching requires full days in the schools for a minimum of 14 consecutive weeks in accordance with the calendar of the school district. Students may not take classes at the university during the hours they are scheduled to student teach, and are limited to 12 credit hours.

Students who do not graduate within six months of student teaching may lose credit for the course and would then need to repeat student teaching. The Teacher Education Committee, prior to consideration for an additional student teaching assignment, must review candidates who withdraw or are withdrawn from a student teaching assignment.

Admission to Student Teaching

To be eligible for student teaching, students must:

Be unconditionally admitted to the Teacher Education Program.
Maintain an overall grade point average of not less than 2.75.
Maintain a grade of 'C' or better in courses in the teaching field(s), or academic specialization area, with an overall grade point average of not less than 2.75.
Maintain a grade of 'C' or better in the courses in professional education, with an overall grade point average of not less than 2.75.
Secondary Education certification candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 in their major courses.
Complete a minimum of 45 clock hours of satisfactory work in the field experience component of the professional education courses.
Have senior status.
Have a commitment to high moral and ethical standards, as defined by the Bulletin.
Students planning for S.D.A. certification only must complete at least one module in a multi-grade teaching setting.
File an application for student teaching by April 1 for a fall student teaching assignment, and by October 1 for a spring assignment.

The Teacher Education Committee will review all applications to determine eligibility for student teaching. Admission to the Teacher Education Program does not necessarily ensure acceptance into Student Teaching. Appeals to any decision must be made in writing to the Teacher Education Council and if needed to the Vice President for Academic Administration.

Recommendation to the State Board for Educator Certification

To be recommended to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) for teacher certification, a student must have successfully met the following criteria:

All specified course work must be completed on the degree plan or certification plan in which certificate is sought.
Acceptable scores on the appropriate professional development and content specialization portions of the TExES exam.
In accordance with Article 6252-13c, Texas Civil Statutes, the Texas Commissioner of Education may suspend or revoke a teaching certificate, or refuse to issue a teaching certificate, for a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor for a crime which directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession. All applicants for Texas certificates will be screened for a record of felony or misdemeanor conviction through the Texas Department of Public Safety. Students must make application through the SBEC website and enclose the appropriate fee required for the certificate sought. The Teacher Certification Officer will make recommendations based upon satisfactory completion of all requirements pertaining to certification.

State Certification

Certification levels for teaching certificates will be:

Early Childhood-Grade 6 (EC-GR 6)
Grades 4-8 (GR 4-8)
Grades 8-12 (GR 8-12) with specialization in English, History, Journalism, Life Science, Physical Science, Mathematics, Speech, or Social Studies
All Level Physical Education or Music for Early Childhood-Grade 12 (EC-12).

Teaching Certification

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists: Elementary Endorsement for Grades 1-9, Speciality Endorsement in Kindergarten, and Secondary Content Area Endorsement for Grades 7 - 12. Content areas available for Grades 7-12 are Business, English, History, Journalism, Life Science, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies, and Speech.

State of Texas:

EC-6, GR 4-8, GR 8-12, and All Level Physical Education and Music K-12. Content areas available for Grades 8-12 are: Business, English, History, Journalism, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social Studies and Speech.

Federal Title II Rating

Southwestern Adventist University is currently ranked in the second quartile nationally for its Title II rating. This reflects a 97% pass rate by students taking the state certification exams during the 2008-2009 school year.

Programs

Southwestern Adventist University offers a major in Elementary Education. A major in Secondary Education is not available. A person interested in Secondary Education must complete a major and a minor in another discipline in addition to the course work required for teaching certification. The Teacher Education Program consists of three major components; academic foundations (general education), professional development and academic specialization.

Alternative Certification Program

See page 138.

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A. Academic Foundations

Required for EC-GR6, GR4-8. (GR8-12, All Level PE or Music K-12 should meet general education requirements on page 60.)

General Education Curricula Minimum Requirements*



English		12
ENGL 121+	Freshman Composition	3
ENGL 220+	Research and Professional Writing	3
ENGL 231	American Literature I or
ENGL 232	American Literature II	3
ENGL 464	Advanced Grammar	3

Speech		3
COMM 111+	Fundamentals of Speech

Social and Behavioral Sciences		12
HIST 111	American History	3
HIST 112	American History	3
MUHL 221	Survey of Music or
ARTS 221	History of Western Art	3
POLS 211	Texas & National Constitutions	3

Math/Natural And Computer Science		14-15
MATH 110+	Math (College Algebra or above)	3
	Two classes of lab Science
	It is recommended that you take one semester of life science and one semester of physical science.
CSIS 102	Microcomputer Literacy	3

Health and Physical Education		4
KINT 111	Health & Wellness	3
	P.E. Activity Elective	1

Religion**		12
RLGN 101	Christian Beliefs	3
RLGN 230	History of the SDA Church	3
RLGN 211	Life and Teachings	3
	Upper Div. Old Testament, New Testament, or other Bible content class	3

Principles of Active Learning***		1
	Total:		58-59

\* Students who qualify for honors classes may substitute where appropriate.

\\ These specific classes are required for SDA certification only. For those seeking only state certification, it is strongly recommended that students enroll for a minimum of one course each school year. Applied religion is not to exceed three credits; three of the religion credits must be upper division. Transfer students from non-SDA schools must have three hours of religion credit per 30 credits taken in residence at SWAU, with a minimum of six hours. Though religion classes taken prior to enrollment at SWAU will be considered for transfer, at least three hours must be from an SDA school, and non-SDA religion classes taken after enrollment here will not be transferred.

\\\* All freshmen who have taken less than 12 previous college hours, which does not include credits taken while in high school or by examinations, must enroll in the Principles of Active Learning course.

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B. Professional Development

(Required for Elementary Education Majors and for Secondary Education Certification)



PSYC 220	Human Growth and Development	3
EDUC 254	Intro to the Teaching Profession	3
EDUC 263*	Religion in the SDA School	3
EDUC 312	Educational Psychology	3
EDUC 326	Exceptional Children	3
EDUC 350	Educational Technology	3
EDUC 384	Reading in the Content Areas	3
EDUC 416	Legal and Philosophical Foundations	3
EDUC 434	Classroom Assessment	3
EDUC 436	Classroom Management	3
EDUC 465, 475, 485	Directed Teaching (selected for chosen Certification)	6
	Total:	36

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Secondary Education Certification also requires:



EDUC 322	Adolescent Psychology	3
EDUC 450	Teaching in the Secondary School	3

\* for SDA certification only

C. Academic Specialization

Elementary Education Mayors

Option I (Early Childhood - Grade 6)



KINT 243	P.E./Health in the Elementary School	3
MUED 253	Music in the Elementary School	3
*EDUC 175	Teaching Culturally Diverse Students	3
*EDUC 310	Second Language Instruction	3
EDUC 364	Kindergarten Materials & Methods	3
EDUC 366	Educational Programs for Young People	3
EDUC 375	Children's Literature and the Teaching of Reading	3
EDUC 382	Reading and Language Arts in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 386	Mathematics in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 413	Science in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 419	Social Studies in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 424	Language Arts Essential Skills in the Elementary School	3
	Total:	36

\* These courses are required if you want an ESL endorsement on your State of Texas Teacher Certification.

Option II (Grade 4 - Grade 8)



ARTS 223	Arts & Crafts	3
KINT 243	PE/Health in the Elementary School	3
MUED 253	Music in the Elementary School	3
HIST 312	Historical and Political Geography	3
*EDUC 175	Teaching Culturally Diverse Students	3
*EDUC 310	Second Language Instruction	3
EDUC 375	Children's Literature and the Teaching of Reading	3
EDUC 382	Reading and Language Arts in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 386	Math in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 413	Science in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 419	Social Studies in the Elementary School	3
EDUC 424	Language Arts Essential Skills in the Elementary School	3
	Total:	36

\* These courses are required if you want an ESL endorsement on your State of Texas Teacher Certification.

Secondary Education Certification

Option I

Option one shall prepare the individual to teach in one area of grades 8-12 and shall require completion of a major in one of the following teaching areas:

English, History, Journalism, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Speech with the exception of Journalism and Physical Science, these areas are not composite majors and would therefore also require a minor to be completed.

Option II

Option two shall prepare the individual to teach in two areas of grades 8-12 and shall require completion of a major, plus a minor which includes 24 hours with a minimum of 12 semester hours of upper division courses. The major and minor must both be chosen from the following teaching areas:

English, History, Journalism, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Speech

Option III

Option three shall prepare the individual to teach in grades 8-12 and shall require completion of a composite teaching field with 24 semester hours in one area, 12 semester hours of which must be upper division, and a minimum of 6 semester hours in each additional area. May include the following composite field:

Social Studies

Option IV - All Level Certification for Physical Education (Grades EC-12)

Option four leads to an all level certificate and shall prepare the individual to teach Physical Education in Early Childhood through grade twelve and shall require completion of a major in Physical Education.

Option V - All Level Certification for Music (Grades EC-12)

Option five leads to an all level certificate and shall prepare the individual to teach Music in Early Childhood through grade twelve and shall require completion of a major in Music.

NOTE: IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU OBTAIN A MATRIX OUTLINING THE COURSE OF STUDY FOR THE CERTIFICATION PLAN YOU HAVE CHOSEN. These may be obtained from the Department of Education or on-line at http://ed.swau.edu

Courses

EDUC 175 - Teaching Culturally Diverse Students (3 hours)

Addresses the preparation of teachers for the wide diversity of students they will encounter in their classrooms with an emphasis on developing methods for involving the family in the educational process. Also emphasizes the knowledge and skills needed to help students be better informed and proactive in a multicultural society along with the legal basis for desegregation and multiculturalism in American Education. (Spring)

EDUC 254 - Introduction to the Teaching Profession (3 hours)

Prerequisite: ENGL 121

An analysis of implications for teachers and teaching as education moves into the 21st century. Focus is on preparing beginning teachers to understand different aspects of diversity and how they can address these differences in their teaching. This course should be the first one taken in the teacher education program.

An introduction to the library research skills used in the field of teaching. The use of primary and secondary sources including the use of on-line data bases will be discussed as well as publication styles. Students will also engage in activities designed to sharpen critical thinking as well as acquaint themselves with current trends in the discipline of teaching. Students will begin the process producing senior portfolio development. This course fulfills the requirement for UNIV 201: Research in an Academic Discipline as specified in Southwestern's Quality Enhancement Plan. (Fall)

EDUC 263 - Religion in the SDA School (3 hours)

A study of a variety of strategies in teaching the Bible creatively. Students will discover an approach to learning that Jesus perfected-totally involving people through active experiences, creating learning environments, adjusting emphasis from teaching to learning, and developing lessons using a model of teaching repertoire. (This course does not apply to religion requirements but is required for Seventh-day Adventist Denominational Certification.) Includes field experience. (Fall)

EDUC 291 - Selected Topics (1-2 hours)

Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education program, and approval of department chair

A study in an area of interest under the direction of a staff member. This study may involve research, laboratory, or library work. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits. (Fall, Spring)

EDUC 310 - Second Language Instruction and Assessment (3 hours)

This course will address theoretical and practical aspects of ESL instruction and testing. A variety of teaching strategies will be presented, along with how to incorporate national and state standards in classroom activities. Socio-cultural issues of language and language acquisition will be covered, with an in-depth analysis of how policy affects classroom teaching. Discussion of formal and informal assessment procedures and instruments will also be included to learn basic concepts, issues, and practices related to test design, development, and interpretation and to use this knowledge to select, adapt, and develop assessments for different purposes in the ESL program; to apply knowledge of formal and informal assessments used in the ESL classroom and to know their characteristics, uses, and limitations; and to understand relations among state mandated standards, instruction, and assessment in the ESL program. (Spring)

EDUC 312 - Educational Psychology (3 hours)

A study of psychology as it relates to the learning processes and teaching methods. Principles and theories of learning are reviewed and individual differences and psychological concepts examined. Attention is given to exceptional learners. Includes field experience. This course fulfills the requirement for an upper-division course with components as specified in Southwestern's Quality Enhancement Plan. (Fall)

EDUC 322 - Adolescent Psychology (3 hours)

An overview of the physical, mental and emotional phases of human development during the adolescent years. A study of the environmental and educational problems of the teenager. (Also taught as PSYC 322.) (Spring)

EDUC 326 - Exceptional Children (3 hours)

Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education program.

Provides students with skills to include children of all abilities through appropriate arrangement of the environment. Study will include the characteristics, assessment, admission, review, and dismissal processes for special students requiring individualized or specialized programs. (Also taught as PSYC 326.) (Spring)