Teacher Education Programs

The South College School of Education currently offers a Bachelor of Science degree program and a Post-Baccalaureate Certification program. Both programs lead to the initial TN teaching license in elementary education for grades K-6. The Bachelor of Science is a four year program of study designed for the high school graduate and is open to all South College undergraduate students.

The Post Baccalaureate certification program of study is designed for the individual who has an earned baccalaureate degree but did not pursue education and seeks to change careers and become an elementary teacher.

Overview of the Bachelor of Science Teacher Education Program

The Bachelor of Science program of study offers an academic major in Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent. Successful completion of this major leads to the Bachelor of Science degree and an initial TN teaching license for grades K-6. The major is a comprehensive program of study that includes a general education core, the academic major and a professional education core that prepares an exceptional instructional teacher leader capable of meeting the academic and developmental needs of all K-6 students. The Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent academic major provides candidates sufficient opportunities to develop as exceptional instructional leaders who possess the necessary content and pedagogical knowledge and skills and professional dispositions to be successful beginning elementary teachers.

Inaddition to college educational experiences, the Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent program of study capitalizes on inquiry to advance candidates’ professional growth and career opportunities and to cultivate their ability to think critically, to communicate effectively and to apply knowledge wisely. Through contemporary modes of delivery, the innovative and research-based curriculum exposes candidates to diverse perspectives and skills essential to independent and continuous learning. Candidates experience sequential field experiences, professional development workshops and a clinical practice in enhanced student teaching. Candidates provide assistance to classroom teachers, participate in student tutoring, provide classroom instruction and assessment, and participate in school improvement planning and action research. During student teaching, candidates experience an in-depth exposure to K-6 teaching and learning and are required to use data to demonstrate the effect their teaching had on student learning. Candidates complete a Program Exit Interview and utilize a Professional Portfolio to demonstrate program goal achievement. The Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent program of study meets state, national and professional standards and supports local, regional, and national employment needs.

Bachelor of Science Teacher Education Program Goals

Program goals and candidate learning outcomes are designed to accomplish the mission of the Teacher Education Program and are guided by institutional goals, research, Tennessee Teacher Licensure Standards, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards, Interstate New Teacher Curriculum Standards, and Professional Organizations Standards. The following program goals are designed to ensure that candidates have demonstrated acquisition of knowledge, skills, proficiencies and dispositions essential for an exceptional instructional teacher leader to motivate and lead K-6 students to their maximum potential for academic success. Upon successful completion of the Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent program of study, the candidate will:

1. demonstrate a deep understanding of content and pedagogical knowledge and demonstrate proficiency in applying appropriate knowledge to maximize the learning environment for all students.
2. demonstrate essential knowledge, skills and proficiency in responding to individual learning needs by accommodating diverse relationship modes and learning styles of all students.
3. model constructivist teaching and learning through varied instructional strategies and use multiple assessment tools to diagnose and respond to students’ individual learning needs.
4. understand principles of human development and behavior and can design and manage learning environments that promote students’ independence as learners.
5. demonstrate essential knowledge, skills and proficiencies necessary to select and use modern technologies as an instructional and assessment tool that supports student learning and their own professional growth.
6. collaborate with appropriate stakeholders and support personnel in the educational process.
7. reflect on their teaching effectiveness in relation to student achievement and to professional interactions and will select opportunities for professional growth.
8. display professional dispositions characteristic of educators who are informed decision makers that create effective learning opportunities for all students.

Bachelor of Science Teacher Education Licensure Program

South College is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education to offer an elementary education program that leads to an initial Tennessee elementary education teaching license for grades K-6. New students accepted to South College declare Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent as their academic major and are assigned an education advisor. The advisor and student collaborates and develops an academic plan that allows the student to progress through four program levels while simultaneously completing course work in general education, the academic major and the professional education core. Teacher education students are provided a Teacher Education Handbook that specifically outlines and describes all program requirements in Assessment Levels I – IV. As noted in level descriptions below, candidates are approved for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program during Levels II or III when all requirements are satisfied. Formal admission to the Teacher Education Program allows candidates to advance to Level IV – Enhanced Student Teaching. Upon successful completion of Level IV requirements and all graduation requirements, candidates are eligible to complete the application process for the initial Tennessee teaching license in elementary education for grades K-6. South College School of Education reserves the right to make immediate changes to the Teacher Education Program and the Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent program of study as mandated by the Tennessee Department of Education. Candidates seeking out-of-state licensure should contact the respective State Department of Education for information.

Application, Admission, and Program Completion Requirements

Candidates pursuing the program of study, Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent, are required to complete the processes for application, formal admission and program completion to be eligible to apply for the initial Tennessee teaching license in K-6 elementary education and to apply for graduation to receive the Bachelor of Science degree.

According to state and national standards for teacher preparation programs, different levels of assessment must occur throughout the program of study and reflect appropriate candidate progress and success. The elementary education K- 6 program has multiple assessment measures that occur at program pre-entry, entry, mid-point and program exit. A candidate is required to conference with the education advisor quarterly to discuss his/her academic progress and success and the need for an academic intervention plan, if necessary. The first step in this process is to gain admission to South College.

The four levels of assessment are outlined in Levels I – IV and occur during the freshman and sophomore years simultaneously with course work from general education and the academic major. As Level I (Pre-Entry) and Level II (Entry) and Level III (Mid-point) assessment criteria are satisfied, the candidate is eligible to schedule an interview for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. When Level IV assessment criteriaare satisfied, the candidate is eligible to make application for South College graduation and to complete the application process for the initial TN teaching license in elementary education for grades K-6.

Assessment criteria for Levels I – IV of the Interdisciplinary Studies in Development and Learning of the Child and Young Adolescent academic majorare outlined below:

Level I – Pre-Entry Assessment:
To satisfy level I assessment criteria, the candidate will:

• Provide TBI Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Background results to SOE Dean’s office prior to enrolling in EDU 3000.
• Successfully complete 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours of required general studies course work.
• Complete English Composition I and II, Mathematics I and II and Speech with a grade of C or better. • Provide evidence of STEA membership and participation and liability insurance prior to first field experiences in EDU 3000.
• Present ONE TN acceptable test score from ACT Composite (22+) or SAT 1020+ or Praxis I: PPST: Reading, Writing and Math.
• Present three letters of recommendation from previous general studies faculty to the TEC.
• Satisfy course technology requirements and establish electronic Portfolio in EDU 3000.
• Satisfy course field experiences requirements.
• Satisfy course communications requirements.
• Satisfy professional dispositions requirements.
• Attain cumulative GPA of 2.75.
• Complete Level I Pre-Entry conference with education advisor for advancement to Level II.

Level II – Entry Assessment:

• Attain a grade of C or better in all academic major courses.
• Attain a grade of B or better in all professional education courses.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
• Maintain and satisfy all course technology requirements and maintain an approved e-Portfolio quarterly.
• Satisfy course field experiences requirements.
• Satisfy course communications requirements.
• Satisfy professional dispositions requirements.
• Indicate Praxis II tests taken and passed.
• Complete Level II Entry conference with advisor for approval for formal admission interview, if requirements are met, and for advancement to Level III.

Level III – Mid-point Assessment:

• Complete all academic major courses with a grade of C or better.
• Complete all professional education courses with a grade of B or better.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75.
• Maintain and satisfy all course technology requirements and maintain an approved e-Portfolio quarterly.
• Satisfy course field experiences requirements.
• Satisfy course communications requirements.
• Satisfy professional dispositions requirements.
• Provide evidence of all required Praxis II tests passed.
• Complete formal admission interview, if lacking.
• Complete Level III Mid-point conference with advisor for advancement to Level IV.

Level IV – Program Exit Assessment:

During Level IV, the candidate enrolls in the capstone course, EDU 4090Aand B Enhanced Student Teaching. The candidate must:

• Submit, prior to Orientation, current CPR certification; acceptable medical exam and drug test; evidence of liability insurance; and TBI Fingerprinting and Criminal History Records Background results, if more than one year since EDU 3000.
• Earn a grade of Pass for Placement I and Placement II in K-3 and 4-6 grades. Placement I must be successfully completed with a grade of Pass to advance to Placement II. Placement II must be successfully completed with a grade of Pass to schedule a Program Exit Interview.
• Successfully complete the Program Exit Interview and Portfolio Presentation as determined by the specified rubric.
• Satisfy all requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.
• Satisfy all South College requirements for graduation.
• Complete the application process for recommendation to TN Department of Education for the initial TN teaching license for elementary education in grades K-6.

Candidates are assigned a faculty advisor who assists them in planning their program of study, course schedules, academic services and interventions, and career choices. Candidates are encouraged to confer with their faculty advisor as needed and are required to meet with their faculty advisor each quarter for appropriate course scheduling and registration approval. If a candidate voluntarily withdraws from the program, formal application for re-entry is required and, current program requirements must be met. South College School of Education reserves the right to make program changes at any time according to any state mandate(s) that require immediate changes.