Education

Joan Berry, Chairperson

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 is an institution approved by the Texas Education Agency to offer provisional and professional level teacher certification. The certificate shows the area and/or level of specialization in which the recipient may teach. The area of specialization is determined by the teacher program chosen by the student. A student who completes an approved program must also make a satisfactory score on state licensing examinations required by the Division of Educator Certification and Standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA). After completion of all certification requirements, the certifying student must make application for teacher certification. The recommendation for the teaching certificate is made to the Division of Educator Certification and Standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by the University.

 
Educator preparation is a cooperative effort throughout the university and involves other departments in some manner. The Educator Preparation, is coordinated through the Department of Education.

 
The purpose of the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Educator Preparation Cooperative, is to plan and implement the Educator Preparation in a Christian environment, which will lend itself to Christian teachings. This purpose not only adheres to but also extends beyond those regulations set forth by the Division of Educator Certification and Standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

 
Students planning to pursue certification through the Educator Preparation Program are encouraged to complete a degree plan early in their college career. A major advisor in the student’s field of interest (secondary level, All-Level art, music, physical education, and Spanish) or an advisor in the Department of Education (for elementary level, middle level, and Interdisciplinary Studies majors) should be consulted for planning purposes. Students who plan their program early will be more likely to finish in a timely manner.

 
Students enrolled in a field-based course must show evidence of current education liability insurance.

Policy Statement Relative to Teacher Education

Successful completion of the Educator Preparation Program should enable every student to become an excellent teacher. The University maintains a close relationship with the public schools in order to familiarize students with school procedure and to prepare them for entry into the teaching profession.

Educator Preparation Cooperative

The Educator Preparation Program is administered under the direct supervision of the Educator Preparation Cooperative. The Chair of the Department of Education serves as Chairperson of this committee, and its members are representatives from the Department of Education students. Student teaching supervisors and representatives from the sixteen districts who work most closely with the university in placing students for internships and student teaching experiences. Ad hoc members include the Registrar, 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.

Requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Students choosing to pursue teacher certification for the elementary, Interdisciplinary Studies, and middle levels 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 theater are advised in the department of their academic major. Such students are required to follow a teacher certification program and to begin a data collection process to begin the process to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program during enrollment in EDUC 3320 or EDUC 3315. It is recommended that students enroll in EDUC 3320 or EDUC 3315 during the last 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 Teacher Education Program. These procedures include the following:

1. Texas law requires that all students who student teach 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 Teacher Education Program.  See Felony or Misdemeanor Conviction below.
2. All students pursuing certification must pass the Department of Education interview.
3. Students must meet the Basic Skills requirement (math, reading, and writing) by the end of the semester in which EDUC 3315/EDUC 3320 is taken in order to continue to take EDUC 3324, EDUC 4326, EDUC 4316, and READ 4328.  The state requirements for basic skills are based on passing standards set by Texas Education Agency (TEA).  Students must submit scores from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI), ACT or SAT scores for evaluation to the certification coordinator.
4. Competence in public speaking is evaluated by having the student take and pass a course in public speaking with a C or above.
5. Students are expected to sign and adhere to the code of ethics statement

6. Student must apply for student teaching the semester before student teaching begins on October 15 or April 15.

7. Grade point average (GPA) requirements are as follows:
   1.  A GPA of at least 3.00 is required in each of the following areas on a student’s degree plan. Each area is computed separately AND no grade lower than a “C” will be accepted in any of the following areas: (1) professional development; (2) certification area(s) in secondary, and all-level art, music, physical education, and Spanish; (3) academic support areas in elementary and middle levels; (4) academic specialization in middle levels; or (5) in elementary, special education concentration, and English Second Language in interdisciplinary studies.
   2. The cumulative GPA must be a minimum of 2.75.

Prerequisites for Student Teaching

A student must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program before taking the last 30 hours of coursework and prior to the semester of student teaching (note requirements listed above).

Applications for student teaching must be in the Education Office by April 1 for individuals planning to student teach the following fall semester or October 1 for individuals planning to student teach the following spring semester. Requirements for student teaching include the following:

1. Students must be of senior standing and no more than 14 semester hours from graduation after the semester of student teaching.
   1. All professional development courses must be completed before student teaching.
   2. 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.
   3. Students working toward elementary certification must complete the reading courses in the Academic Support area before student teaching.
2. Students must meet compliance standards set by the department and the state (TEA). The Director of Field Experiences will verify compliance standards (TEA) met by students in fulfilling field-based hours.   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 signed education FERPA form must be submitted.
   
4. Students must complete six (6) hours of review on the TExES. This may occur concurrent with student teaching.
   

Teacher Certification is offered on the following levels:

1.   Early Childhood – Grade 6

2.   Grades 4-8

3.   Secondary

4.   All-level, Grades EC-12

Requirements for the Initial Texas Teaching Certificate 

1.   Fulfillment of basic skills requirement.

2.   Completion of a baccalaureate degree.

3.   Completion of an approved teacher education program.

4.   Recommendation of an approved teacher education institution.

5.   Satisfactory passing score(s) on examination(s) prescribed by the Division of Educator Certification and Standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) such as TExES.

6.   Submission of the official application form to the Department of Education and the Division of Educator Certification and Standards with the required fee.

7.   All requirements as prescribed by the Division of Educator Certification and Standards of the Texas Education Agency must be completed and application made for initial certification within one (1) year of graduation.

Teacher Certification 

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.

Post-Baccalaureate Certification

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 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor may admit to a special program and recommend for teacher certification candidates who meet the requirements of this section. A certification plan shall be developed for a candidate under the requirements of this section. Upon completion of the plan, including all requirements of the Division of Educator Certification and Standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the University will recommend the candidate for the requisite certification.

A. Qualifications for Admission

Each candidate for an initial teaching certificate who possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution must meet the following qualifications for admission to the Teacher Education Program:

1. Compliance with all requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program.
2. Demonstration of skill in educational computing and technology.
3. Successful completion of the minimum number of semester hours, including upper-level hours, for teaching specialties as specified for the respective All-Level, elementary, middle, and secondary level options offered by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
4. Successful completion of professional development courses as specified in the certification plans approved by the Educator Preparation Cooperative for elementary, middle, secondary, and All-Level certifications.

It should be clearly understood that Division of Educator Certification and Standards of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) rules regarding certification supersede UMHB rules and requirements.

Resource Technology Center

The Resource Technology Center (RTC) in the Parker Academic Center contains a computer lab/classroom for student use. The Department of Education, in cooperation with the Townsend Memorial Library staff, also maintains a collection of library resources which includes textbooks in the subject matter areas, curriculum guides and materials, and other items for the specific use of teacher education students.

Student Organizations for Teachers

Professional organizations for pre-service teachers are available. Students planning to become teachers are encouraged to join one of these organizations to learn about the profession, to have fellowship with other future teachers, to become acquainted with the goals and philosophies of different professional teacher organizations, and to acquire educator liability insurance.

Follow-up Program

The College of Education has as one of its functions a regular follow-up program of graduate activities. This established practice enables the University to perform an added service to the student and provides the University with ideas upon which improvement may be based. Surveys are also conducted by the Department among its graduates with the purpose of improvement of teacher preparation as a primary objective. In addition, the College of Education makes available its resources to graduates who are now engaged in the teaching profession.

Approved Programs for Preparation of Teachers

Elementary Level

Certificate areas include:

BA Generalist

BS Generalist

Interdisciplinary Studies

Certificate areas include: Elementary, EC-12 Special Education, ESL Supplemental

BA Interdisciplinary Studies

BS Interdisciplinary Studies

Middle Level

Certificate areas include:

BS Generalist

Secondary Level

Certificate areas include:

BA English Language Arts and Reading

BA History

BS History

BS Life Sciences

BA Mathematics

BS Mathematics

BA Speech Communication

All Level

BFA All-level Art

BM All-level Music

BS All-level Physical Education

BA All-Level Spanish