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Education

Dr. Joan Berry, Interim Dean, College of Education

Mission Statement

The Department of Education will provide prospective teachers and administrators with an education program that is student focused, cutting edge, and exemplary among comparable universities.

General Information

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Educator Preparation Program is approved by the state of Texas to offer educator certification. A student who completes an approved program must also make a satisfactory score on state licensing examinations required by the state. After completion of all certification requirements, the student must make application for teacher certification. If a student has satisfied all program requirements, the recommendation for the teaching certificate is made to the state certification system by the UMHB Certification Coordinator.

Educator preparation is a cooperative effort across the university and involves other colleges and departments. All educator preparation is coordinated through the Department of Education. The university maintains a close relationship with the public schools.

The purpose of the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Educator Preparation Cooperative, is to plan and implement the Educator Preparation Program in a Christian environment. This purpose not only adheres to but also extends beyond those regulations set forth by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Administrative Code and the Texas Education Code.

Students planning to pursue certification through the Educator Preparation Program are encouraged to select a degree plan early in their college career. A major advisor in the student’s field of interest should be consulted for planning purposes. Students who plan their program early will be more likely to finish in a timely manner.

Educator Preparation Cooperative

The Educator Preparation Program is administered under the direct supervision of the Educator Preparation Cooperative. The Associate Dean for the Department of Education serves as Chairperson of this committee, and its members are representatives from the surrounding independent school districts, supervisors, student representatives, and community members. Ad hoc members include the Registrar and Provost/ Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Objectives of the Teacher Education Program

  1. The Department of Education will provide prospective teachers and administrators with an educational program that is student focused, cutting edge, and exemplary among comparable universities.

  2. The Department of Education will maintain a curriculum that is research-based, student-focused, aligned with state standards, and rigorous in its content and scope.

  3. The Department of Education will provide programs of distinction at both the graduate and undergraduate level in the field of Education.

  4. The Department of Education will provide pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to demonstrate competency on the state teacher certification examination (TExES) for the fields they have chosen.

Advising

Students seeking teacher certification for the elementary, interdisciplinary, and middle level programs are advised in the Department of Education. Those who choose to pursue certification at the secondary level and all-level art, music, physical education, Spanish, and speech are advised in the department of their academic major. All students seeking certification are required to follow the guidelines of the Educator Preparation Program and to begin a data collection process for entry into the Educator Preparation Program during EDUC 3315. It is recommended that students enroll in EDUC 3315 during the second semester of the sophomore year. Students who are transferring professional education credit(s) from other colleges or universities to UMHB should see an advisor in the Department of Education for special admission procedures to the Educator Preparation Program.

Program Requirements

It should be clearly understood that the State of Texas Educator Certification System and Standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) regarding certification supersede UMHB rules and requirements. While the UMHB program may have requirements that exceed those of the state, at no time are they less than state requirements.
There are three paths leading to teacher certification at UMHB. The Undergraduate Program is traditional teacher certification coupled with the pursuit of the bachelor’s degree. The Post-Baccalaureate program is for candidates with bachelor’s degrees who are pursuing teacher certification through the UMHB master’s program. The Alternative Certification Program is for students with bachelor’s degrees who are non-degree seeking. The requirements for each are described below.

Note:
International students must meet the same standards required of all candidates. In addition, based on state law, prior to admission they are required to take all sections of the TOEFL, scoring a minimum of 26 on the oral section.

Undergraduate Program
A. Admission (Gateway #1)
1. Pass criminal history check.
        Texas law requires that all students in field experiences and student teaching must satisfactorily complete a criminal background review. Any student who cannot be cleared to teach because of a criminal record will not be allowed to student teach and cannot  obtain teacher certification. Students who may be unable to clear a criminal background review are urged to clarify their ability to teach before considering the Educator Preparation Program. (See Felony or Misdemeanor Conviction.)
2. Pass the Department of Education interview.
3. Successfully complete EDUC 3315 with a grade of “C” or better.
4. Satisfy an Academic Proficiency requirement. This is determined in accordance with current state law. Because of shifting state requirements, prospective students should consult the current standard as posted on the Department of Education site on the UMHB web page.
5. Satisfy the Advanced Skills requirement. This may be satisfied through a variety of assessment instruments, such as the ACT, SAT, THEA or Accuplacer. Because of changing state requirements, students should consult the current standard as posted on the Department of Education site on the UMHB web page. The required scores must be submitted to the UMHB Certification Coordinator no later than the semester when the student takes EDUC 3315.
6. Sign and adhere to the Texas Educators’ Code of Ethics statement.
7. Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
8. Submit a signed DOE FERPA form.
9. Complete 12 or more hours in the content field (15 if math or science).
10. Submit an application for admission into the program. Students apply via Gateway #1 on their MyCampus account page. Students who meet all program requirements will be issued an invitation to join the Educator Preparation Program.
11. Accept the invitation for admission. Per state law, a student must accept the invitation for admittance.
12. Demonstrate and maintain a “disposition to teach.” Research reveals specific behaviors exhibited by successful educators. These are described on the Department of Education page on the UMHB web site.

B. Student Teaching – Gateway #2
1. Senior standing with no more than 6 semester hours remaining to meet the degree plan requirements after the semester of student teaching.
a. All professional development courses must be completed before student teaching.
b. Students working toward middle, secondary, and all-level certification may student teach if they lack no more than one course in the area(s) of certification.
2. Completion of all state compliance standards (as per the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Education Code, and the Texas Administrative Code. This includes field experiences. Many of the teacher preparation courses offered at UMHB are “field-based,” meaning that they are taught on public school campuses so that teacher candidates receive hands-on experience. Students who take the regular, daytime classes will automatically get sufficient hands-on experience. Students who take education coursework in night classes or summer sessions are required to complete field hours during a subsequent semester.
3. A grade of “C” or higher in public speaking.
4. A GPA or 3.0 or higher in each of the following areas that appears on the degree plan (with no grade lower than a “C”): (a) pedagogy and professional development; (b) certification area for secondary or special areas; (c) academic specialization or academic support; and (d) EDSP. Each block is calculated separately.
5. A completed application submitted to the Educator Preparation Program BEFORE the last 30 hours of coursework and prior to the student teaching semester. Applications are submitted via Gateway #2 on the student’s MyCampus account page. Applications for student teaching must be in the Education Office by March 1 for individuals planning to student teach the following fall semester or October 1 for individuals planning to student teach the following spring semester.

Note - Students are placed for student teaching in one of 16 public school districts within a 60-mile radius of UMHB. Placements are determined by the Director of Field Experiences.

C. Certification– Gateway #3
1. Completion of all program requirements as indicated in Gateways 1-3. (The Gateways may be accessed on the student’s MyCampus account page.)
2. Completion of a baccalaureate degree.
3. Completion of the UMHB Educator Preparation Program, including meeting and maintaining the GPA requirements.
4. Passing score on the specific TExES (certification) examination(s) for the certificate sought, as prescribed by the state of Texas under the Texas Education Agency, Texas Administrative Code, and Texas Education Code.
5. Recommendation from the Educator Preparation Program via the Certification Coordinator.
6. Submission of an official fingerprinting report to the Department of Education and the state certification system.
7. Submission of the official application form to the Department of Education and the state certification system.
8. Submission of the UMHB application form for certification to the UMHB Department of Education.
All requirements as prescribed by the state of Texas certification office and the Texas Education Agency must be completed and application made for initial certification within one (1) year of graduation. Students who return to the university after that time may be required to take additional coursework or to provide additional evidence of proficiency in the certification area sought.

Post-Baccalaureate Program


UMHB meets all requirements for persons with Bachelor’s Degrees seeking initial teacher certification through approved Texas colleges and universities (Post-Baccalaureate Certification). Chapter 21.049, Texas Education Code. The Post-Baccalaureate Program is coordinated by the Director of Graduate Programs in Education as part of the Master’s with Teaching Certification program. Coursework for completing the content of the master’s program is addressed in the Graduate Catalog. However, participation in the Educator Preparation Program is required as follows:

A. Admission – Gateway #1
Each candidate for an initial teaching certificate who possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution must submit the following in order to be considered for Educator Preparation Program entry:
1. Official transcript verifying Bachelor’s degree.
2. Passed PACT (TExES) content exam.
3. Signed DOE FERPA form.
4. Signed Educator Code of Ethics form.
5. Permission for criminal background check.
6. Interview and transcript review with the Director of Graduate Programs in Education.
7. Documentation of GPA of 2.75 or higher.
8. 12 or more hours of coursework in the field of interest (15 for math or science).
9. Application for admission via Gateway #1 on the student’s MyCampus account page. If the student has met all program requirements at this point, an invitation to join the Educator Preparation Program will be extended.
10. Acceptance of invitation, as per state law.

B. Student Teaching or Internship – Gateway #2
1. Completion of all state compliance standards (as per the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Education Code, and the Texas Administrative Code. This includes field experiences. Many of the teacher preparation courses offered at UMHB are “field-based,” meaning that they are taught on public school campuses so that teacher candidates receive hands-on experience. Post-bac students should contact the Director of Field Experiences early to set up field hours during the semester prior to the internship or student teaching.
2. Competence in public speaking, demonstrated through coursework or through prior experience as verified by the Director of Graduate Programs.
3. Competence in educational technology, demonstrated through coursework or through prior experience as verified by the Director of Graduate Programs
4. Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
5. A completed application submitted to the Educator Preparation Program BEFORE the last 30 hours of coursework and prior to the internship or student teaching semester. Applications are submitted via Gateway #2 on the student’s MyCampus account page. Applications must be in the Education Office by March 1 for individuals planning to student teach the following fall semester or October 1 for individuals planning to student teach the following spring semester. Internships begin in the fall of each school year ONLY. Applications for a fall internship must be submitted by March 1.

Note - Students are placed for student teaching in one of 16 public school districts within a 60-mile radius of UMHB. Placements are determined by the Director of Field Experiences. Interns are required to secure their own positions as teachers of record for the internship.

C. Certification – Gateway #3
1. Successful completion of a one-year internship as the teacher of record OR successful completion of one semester of student teaching.
2. Master’s degree posted by the Registrar.
3. Completion of the UMHB Educator Preparation Program, including meeting and maintaining the required GPA.
4. Satisfactory passing score on the PPR TExES exam, as prescribed by state statute.
5. Recommendation for certification from the UMHB Educator Preparation Program via the Certification Coordinator.
6. Submission of an official fingerprinting report to the Department of Education and the state certification system.
7. Submission of the official application form to the Department of Education and the state certification system.
8. Submission of the UMHB application form for certification to the UMHB Department of Education.
All requirements as prescribed by the state of Texas certification office and the Texas Education Agency must be completed and application made for initial certification within one (1) year of graduation. Students who return to the university after that time may be required to take additional coursework or to provide additional evidence of proficiency in the certification area sought.

Alternative Certification Program
Approval to offer alternative certification is contingent on approval from the State Board for Educator Certification.

A. Admission – Gateway #1
Students with bachelor’s degrees who are non-degree seeking candidates must meet all admission requirements for the post-bac program with the exception of the interview with the Director of Graduate Programs in Education. The interview for candidates in this program will be conducted by the Associate Dean for Education.

B. Student Teaching or Internship – Gateway #2
Requirements in this area are the same as for the post-baccalaureate program listed above.

C. Certification – Gateway #3
Requirements in this area are the same as for the post-baccalaureate program listed above.

State Guidelines for All Certification Paths
Candidates are required to:
1. Be of good moral character.
2. Be a citizen of or be legally eligible to be employed in the United States.
3. Be at least 18 years old.
4. Believe in and uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of Texas.
5. Speak and understand the English language.
6. Submit an application for certification and appropriate fee.
7. Be familiar with the ethics code.

Felony or Misdemeanor Conviction
“In accordance with Article 6252-13c, Texas Civil Statutes, the 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 duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.”
All applicants for Texas certificates will be screened (fingerprinted) for a record of felony or misdemeanor conviction through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Dismissal from Public School Campuses:
UMHB works in partnership with several area independent school districts. In the event that a student teacher or intern is prevented from returning to a school to which he or she was assigned, procedures are in place to address the issue. These are available on the Department of Education website.


Certification Areas for Preparation of Teachers (Note: For students in the Post-Baccalaureate program, other certification areas may be available. This should be determined through a meeting with the Certification Coordinator.)
Elementary Level

Certificate areas include:
BA Core Subjects EC-6
BS Core Subjects EC-6

Interdisciplinary Studies
Certificate areas include: EC-6, EC-12 Special Education, and ESL Supplemental
BA Interdisciplinary Studies
BS Interdisciplinary Studies

Middle Level
Certificate areas include:
BS Core Subjects 4-8
High School Level (7-12)

Certificate areas include:
BA English Language Arts and Reading
BA History
BS History
BS Life Sciences
BA Mathematics
BS Mathematics
BS Science
BA Speech Communication
All Level

BFA All-level Art
BM All-level Music
BS All-level Physical Education
BA All-Level Spanish