Undergraduate Bulletin 2017-2018 Download

Education

Faculty/Staff

Donna Berkner, Chair; Marcel Sargeant, Associate Chair; Michael England, Program Director and Certification Officer; Cheryl The

Adjunct: Carol Campbell, Carlos Estrada, James The

Programs

B.S. Elementary Education
Secondary Education Certification - A person interested in secondary education certification must complete a major and/or a minor in another discipline in addition to the course work required for teaching certification. The Education Preparation Program (EPP) consist of three major components; academic foundations (general education), professional development and academic specialization.
Alternative Certification Program - See page 145

Mission

The Education Department of Southwestern Adventist University directly addresses the mission to which the University is committed by preparing individuals in shaping minds, cultivating hearts, and promoting service. 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 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.

Students’ Learning Outcomes for Education Preparation Program

1) Students demonstrate an understanding of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, as they seek the integration of faith and learning in the classroom.

2) Students acquire critical content and concepts of the curriculum in their field of study, and practice their craft in and outside the classroom.

3) Students use a variety of pedagogical approaches for instruction to assist all students in the mastery of the concepts in their field of study with the goal of creating life-long learners.

4) Students demonstrate skillful teaching dispositions based on current research, including the pedagogical knowledge necessary in the teaching and learning process, in their area of specialization.

5) Students work with others to create a positive climate that supports individual and collaborative learning that encourages positive social interaction, and active engagement in learning.

6) Students understand and use multiple forms of assessment to engage learners to take responsibility for their own learning, and to guide the teachers and learners in the decision making process.

7) Students recognize and demonstrate respect for diversity by employing effective strategies in a multicultural setting.

8) Students show a commitment to professional development, making connections between theory and practice in order to become reflective practitioners.

9) Students demonstrate a commitment to service as they participate in outreach activities organized by department.

The Education Preparation Program

The Education Preparation Program at Southwestern Adventist University provides teacher training in elementary education, intermediate school, and secondary level. Through the School of Graduate Studies one can obtain a master’s 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 2016. ~~~~

Admission to the Education Preparation Program

Admission to the University and admission to the Education Preparation Program (EPP) 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 as many times as needed to pass.

EPP 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:

1. 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 earn a score of 550 in both areas or better in the areas of Math and Verbal on your SAT or if your ACT score had a composite of 21 with at least a 19 in Math and Language.

2. Have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours, or be enrolled in the semester that will complete 60 hours.

3. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0

4. Have completed with a “C” or higher in Applied Math, College Algebra, Freshman Composition and Research Writing.

5. Secondary education certification candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in their major courses.

6. Before acceptance all students must submit to, pay for, and pass a criminal background check. Students may request a preliminary criminal history evaluation letter from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) regarding the potential ineligibility for certification due to a previous conviction or deferred adjudication (a formal judgment on a disputed matter) for a felony or misdemeanor offense. Failure to do this will result in you being removed from the program once this information becomes known. You will not be able to receive Texas certification if you have a previous conviction or deferred adjudication.

The candidate is responsible for initiating the application, which is available in the Office of Education. All applications will be accompanied with the following:

1. A statement of purpose - a one page, typed essay describing reasons for desiring a profession in the teaching field.

2. Two letters of recommendation from individuals other than relatives or Education/Psychology department faculty.

3. A personal background check with satisfactory results. The application is available in the Office of Education.

4. All potential candidates will have an interview with the Education/Psychology Department professors before being fully accepted into the Education Preparation Program. See Technical Standards in the Pre-Service Teacher Candidate Handbook.

Degree Plan

After the student has been admitted to the Education Preparation Program, they should develop a degree plan with their advisor. Secondary candidates will be assigned an advisor in the Education Department along with their advisor in their major field. A curriculum matrix degree plan will show the elementary or secondary major the curriculum that is required for both certification levels.

Retention in the Education Preparation Program

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

Maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in all course work.
Secondary Education certification candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in their major courses.
Show promising development in course work and field experiences.
Demonstrate behavior that is ethically and morally responsible according to the TEA Educator’s Code of Ethics.

At the end of the junior year, the teacher education faculty 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 for the preceding semester. Each semester thereafter, progress will be evaluated for continuance in the program.

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.

TEA dictates that substitute teaching, and paraprofessional work cannot be used towards completing the internship requirement. You must consult with the Student Internship/Field Supervision Coordinator to get additional information to complete your student teaching experience. See the eligibility requirements noted below for further instruction for appropriate placement.

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 can lose credit for the course and may 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.

Application to Offer Out-of-State/U. S. Territory Field-Based Experiences, Internship, Student Teaching, Clinical Teaching

Texas Administrative Code §228.35 (d) (4)

Subject to all the requirements of this section, the TEA may approve a school that is not a public school accredited by the TEA as a site for field-based experience, internship, student teaching, clinical teaching, and/or practicum. (A) All Department of Defense Education Activity (Dude) schools, wherever located, and all schools accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) are approved by the TEA for purposes of field-based experience, internship, student teaching, clinical teaching and/or practicum. (B) An educator preparation program may file an application with the TEA for approval subject, to periodic review, of a public school, a private school or a school system located within any state or territory of the United States, as a site for field-based experience, or for video or other technology-based depiction of a school setting. The application shall be in a form developed by the TEA staff and shall include, at a minimum, evidence showing that the instructional standards of the school or school system align with those of the applicable Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) certification standards. To prevent unnecessary duplication of such applications, the TEA shall maintain a list of the schools, school systems, videos, and other technology-based transmissions that have been approved by the TEA for field-based experience. (C) An educator preparation program may file an application with the TEA for approval, subject to periodic review, of a public or private school located within any state or territory of the United States, as a site for an internship, student teaching, clinical teaching, and/or practicum required by this chapter. The application shall be in a form developed by the TEA staff and shall include at a minimum: (i) the accreditation(s) held by the school; (ii) a crosswalk comparison of the alignment of the instructional standards of the school with those of the applicable TEKS and SBEC certification standards; (iii) the certification, credentials, and training of the field supervisor(s) who will supervise candidates in the school; and (iv) the measure that will be taken by the educator preparation program to ensure that the candidate’s experience will be equivalent to that of a candidate in a Texas public school accredited by the TEA. (D) An undergraduate university educator preparation program may file an application with the TEA for approval, subject to periodic review, of a public or private school located outside the United States, as a site for student teaching required by this chapter. The application shall be in a form developed by the TEA staff and shall include at a minimum, the same elements required in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph for schools located within any state or territory of the United States.

Admission to Student Teaching

To be eligible for student teaching, students must:

1. Be unconditionally admitted to the Education Preparation Program and approved for student teaching status by the Education Preparation Program Committee.

2. 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 3.0.

3. Secondary Education certification candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 in their major courses.

4. Complete a minimum of 45 clock hours of satisfactory work in the field experience component of the professional education courses.

5. Have senior status.

6. Completed all methods courses in the program.

7. Have a commitment to high moral and ethical standards, as defined by the Bulletin and TEA Educators’ Code of Ethics.

8. Students planning for Seventh-day Adventist certification from the North American Division of Office of Education (NADOE) must complete at least one module in a combination teaching setting.

9. File an application for student teaching two semesters prior to directed teaching. A valid graduation contract from the Registrar’s Office must be in the student’s file prior to student teaching placement.

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

Dismissal from the EPP

It is never anticipated that a student will be asked to leave the education program. There are several levels of support provided for students in order to assist them through the process of teacher certification. Please seek assistance from these resources when necessary. it is much easier to deal proactively with a potential situation than to handle it re-actively. Failure to adhere to the TEA Educators’ code of Ethics is cause for immediate removal from the program with no appeals allowed.

If a student finds it necessary to withdraw from the EPP, written notification is required. it is also important to speak with the advisor for the student to be aware of potential implication of leaving the program. If necessary, a student may be placed on a growth plan, targeting areas of deficiencies, and support to address and remediate these deficiencies.

A committee will meet comprised of members familiar with the student’s situation and construct a plan including goals and a specific timeline. Failure to meet the goals in the growth plan will result in dismissal from the EPP.

Appeals:

Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department Chair and the student’s advisor. If appealing an admission or dismissal decision, the request must be provided to the department no more than 5 days after decision is rendered.

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:

1. All specified course work must be completed on the degree plan or certification plan in which certification is sought.

2. Students must complete EDUC 495 and EDUC 496 and score a minimum of 80% on the post tests to receive approval to take the TExES certification exams.

3. 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 7-12 with specialization in English, History, Journalism, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, or Social Studies.
All Level Physical Education or Music for Early Childhood-Grade 12 (EC-12).

SDA Teaching Certification

North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists: Elementary Endorsement for Grades 1-8, 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, and Social Studies.

Federal Title II Rating

Southwestern Adventist University is currently ranked in the second quartile nationally for its Title II rating. This reflects a 90% pass rate by students taking the state certification exams.

Certification Program

A. Academic Foundations

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

General Education Curricula Minimum Requirements*



English	9



ENGL121	Freshman Composition	3
ENGL 220	Research Writing	3
ENGL 231	American Literature I or
ENGL 232	American Literature II	3



Social and Behavioral Sciences	12



HIST 111	American History	3
HIST 112	American History	3
HIST 242	Historical and Political Geography	3
POLS 211	Texas & National Constitutions	3



Math/Natural and Computer Science	14



MATH 131	Applied Math and any other College level Math (100 or above)	6
	Two classes of lab Science	8
	One semester of life science and one semester of physical science is required.
CSIS	Computer Science competency will be done in EDUC 350	3



Health and Physical Education	4



UNIV 111	Wellness for Life	2
	P.E. Activity Electives	2



Religion**	12



RELT 101	Christian Beliefs	3
RELT 201	Bible Study Methods	3
RELH 230	History of the SDA Church	3
	Upper division. Old Testament, New Testament, or other Bible content class	3



Total:	51

\* 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 3 credits; 3 of the religion credits must be upper division. Transfer students from non-SDA schools must have 3 hours of religion credit per 30 credits taken in residence at Southwestern, with a minimum of 6 hours. Religion classes taken prior to enrollment at Southwestern will be considered for transfer, at least 3 hours must be from an SDA school, and non-SDA religion classes taken after enrolling at SWAU will not be transferred.

B. Professional Development

Required for Elementary Education Majors and for Secondary Education Certification



EDUC 254+	Intro to the Teaching Profession	3
EDUC 312	Educational Psychology	3
EDUC 326	Exceptional Children	3
EDUC 350	Educational Technology	3
EDUC 385	Philosophy of Education	3
EDUC 418	Legal Foundations of Education	3
EDUC 434	Classroom Assessment	3
EDUC 436	Classroom Management	3
EDUC 475, 485	Directed Teaching	6
EDUC 496	TExES Prep #2 - Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility EC-12	0
PSYC 220	Human Growth and Development	3
	Total:	33

Secondary Education Certification also requires:



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

+ not required for Physical Education majors.

C. Academic Specialization

Elementary Education Majors

Early Childhood - Grade 6



ARTS 223	Arts/Crafts/Drama	3
EDUC 275	Teaching Culturally Diverse Students	3
EDUC 310	Second Language Instruction	3
EDUC 364	Kindergarten Materials & Methods	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 414	Science and Health 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
EDUC 460	Differentiated Instruction for the Elementary Classroom	3
EDUC 495	TExES Prep #1 - Core Content EC-6	0
KINT 244	Physical Education in the Elementary School	3
MUED 253	Music in the School	3
	Total:	39

Secondary Education Certification

Option I

Prepared the individual to teach in one content area of grades 7-12 and requires completion of a major in one of the following teaching areas:

English, History, Journalism, Life Science, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social Science, and Speech.

Option II

Prepares the individual to teach in two areas of grades 7-12 and requires completion of a major, plus a minor which includes 24 credit hours with a minimum of 12 credit hours of upper division courses. The major and minor must both be chosen from the following teaching areas:

Option III

Prepares the individual to teach in grades 7-12 and shall require completion of a composite teaching field with 24 credit hours in one area, 12 credit hours of which must be upper division, and a minimum of 6 credit hours in each additional area.

Social Studies

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

Prepares the individual to teach Physical Education in kindergarten through grade twelve and requires completion of a major in Physical Education.

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

Prepares the individual to teach Music in kindergarten through grade twelve and requires completion of a Bachelor of Music Education (BME)

Education Courses

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

Prerequisite: ENGL 121

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the field of teaching and reflect on their interest in education. Students will also examine current and historical roles, expectations, stereotypes, and characterizations that define teaching as a profession.

Pre-service teachers will also engage in activities designed to sharpen critical thinking as well as acquaint themselves with current trends in the discipline of teaching. Pre-service teachers will begin the process of developing their e-portfolio. Includes field experience. (Spring)

EDUC 275 - 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. (Fall)

EDUC 291 - Selected Topics (1-2 hours)

Prerequisite: Admission to education preparation 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)

Prerequisite: Admission to Education Preparation Program

This course will address theoretical and practical aspects of second language instruction. A variety of teaching strategies will be presented, along with ways to incorporate national and state standards into lesson planning and classroom activities. Socio-cultural issues of language and language acquisition will be covered. Formal and informal assessment procedures will be introduced and reviewed. Current trends and issues will be discussed as they related to second language learners. (Fall)

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. (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)