Professional Education (Teacher Licensure Requirements) View in Kuali Update Delete Update Rules PDF

About

The School of Education and Psychology is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education for the preparation of secondary and elementary teachers and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Secondary majors have an adviser in their major; furthermore, they are expected to seek on-going advisement related to the Teacher Education Program from the Secondary Education Liaison and/or the Certification Officer in the School of Education and Psychology.

Secondary teaching licensure requires a baccalaureate degree in an approved content area and completion of professional education courses (see Program Specific Information, below) for licensure information.

Goals / Objectives / Outcomes

THE GOAL

The goal of the professional education unit is to facilitate the comprehensive development of school professionals as servant leaders in their communities.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

This goal is reflected in the conceptual framework, a goal in which we seek to provide opportunities for each candidate to become effective as (a) a caring person, (b) an informed facilitator of learning, (c) a reflective decision maker, (d) a committed professional. These core objectives are reflected through specific proficiencies that lay the foundation of professional excellence.

PROFICIENCIES

The conceptual framework incorporates the following core objectives and proficiencies:

1. As a caring person, the candidate/school professional will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions by:
   • Designing experiences that honor best practices related to multicultural and academic diversity
   • Nurturing relationships by showing warmth, care, respect, and fairness to all individuals
   • Reaching out to families and community agencies
   • Emulating the Christ-centered principles of discipleship and service
2. As an informed facilitator of learning, the candidate/school professional will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions by:
   • Providing nurturing environments and services based on developmentally and culturally appropriate practices
   • Knowing the content and conveying the importance of subject matter
   • Developing a repertoire of discipline strategies and procedures that encourage positive learning environments
   • Planning for differentiation and scaffolding to ensure that all students experience success
   • Utilizing technology to enhance student learning and communication
3. As a Christian reflective decision maker, the candidate/school professional will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions through:
   • Demonstrating intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and strategic decision making
   • Planning lessons that incorporate evidence-based practices and appropriate materials
   • Using informal and formal assessment data for instructional planning and evaluation
   • Reflecting on observation, instruction, and assessment through a Christ-centered world view
4. As a committed professional, the candidate/school professional will demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions by:
   • Collaborating, consulting, and engaging in opportunities to achieve professional excellence
   • Demonstrating professional demeanor, ethical behavior, and carrying out responsibilities conscientiously and punctually
   • Recognizing the value of health and a commitment to a lifestyle of wellness
   • Demonstrating appropriate written and verbal communication skills
   • Studying God's Word and seeking His will

Admission Requirements

CATALOG APPLICABILITY

At the time of an individual's admission to Teacher Education, the current and subsequent catalogs will determine the requirements for completion of the program and graduation. Candidates, however, must meet any and all such additional requirements mandated by the NAD, CAEP, or the State of Tennessee Department of Education, even though such changes may not be listed in the Teacher Education programs in the particular catalog under which the candidate entered. Candidates should stay in contact with the School of Education, Psychology and Counseling to be aware of any changes that may affect them.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES

Admission to Southern Adventist University does not automatically admit the student into teacher education. Because this is a licensure program, there are four transitions a student must complete. In each transition, the student demonstrates growth toward becoming an educator who will make a positive impact on students and learning.

Students assume responsibility for making necessary applications, meeting the requirements, and other relevant deadlines.

TRANSITION ONE: FOUNDATIONAL COURSEWORK

Upon enrollment in EDUC 139, students enter Transition One. The following criteria are required for completion of Transition One.

1. Complete the Teacher Education Program Participant Information form.
2. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students must, with or without reasonable accommodation (physically and mentally), be capable of performing the essential functions of the program and of a professional educator.
3. Cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or higher.
4. Enhanced ACT composite score of 21 or RSAT score of 1080 or passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators assessments.
5. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation fingerprinted background check. Should this check indicate a criminal offense, established departmental protocol will be followed.
6. Adhere to professional standards for educators as evaluated on the department's adopted assessment instrument.
7. Completion of EDUC 139 with a minimum grade of C.
8. Completion of EDUC 150 with a passing grade.

TRANSITION TWO: ADMISSION TO TEACHER CANDIDACY

When 45 hours have been completed, the student will enroll in EDUC 201 and certify completion of the following criteria:

1. Completion of ENGL 101 and ENGL 102, each with a minimum grade of C.
2. 2.75 GPA or higher (cumulative, major, and Teacher Education coursework).
3. All major, cognate, and Teacher Education coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of C. 
4. Enhanced ACT composite score of 21 or RSAT score of 1080 or passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators assessments.
5. Application for Admission to Candidacy
6. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students must, with or without reasonable accommodation (physically and mentally), be capable of performing the essential functions of the program and of a professional educator.
7. Recommendations from academic adviser and the Vice-President of Student Development.
8. Personal Affirmation Statement.
9. Adhere to professional standards for educators as evaluated on the department's adopted assessment instrument.

Successful completion of Transition Two is required for students to enroll in upper-division education courses.

At the completion of Transition Two, the current and subsequent catalogs will determine the requirements for completion of the program and for graduation. Deviations from this policy will be valid only if mandated by the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists and/or the TN Department of Education. Teacher candidates who achieve admission to candidacy must complete a significant number of clock hours of supervised clinical experience prior to student teaching. For state licensure, all supervised clinical experience, including student teaching, must be completed within state-recognized partnerships.

Note: Courses with grades lower than C in the major studies and professional education must be repeated. Courses required only for SDA licensure must be repeated for any grade lower than a C-.

TRANSITION THREE: ADMISSION TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Prior to the clinical practice semester, candidates must pass all required Praxis licensure exams. Each candidate must arrange for a Designated Institutional Report to be sent by the testing service to Southern Adventist University and the State of TN as evidence of passing scores. Candidates planning to complete clinical experience in the fall semester must pass all required Praxis exams by June 15 of the preceding semester. All candidates planning to student teach in the winter semester must pass all required Praxis  exams by October 15 of the preceding year.

With the exception of PEAC 425, no other courses may be taken during clinical practice.

If personal circumstances demand an off-campus or online course, a petition must be filed with the Records & Advisement Office. Approval must be obtained before registering for the course. If the student plans to enroll in a course from another institution, a transient form must be completed in addition to petition. The course must be completed and the grade filed in the Records and Advisement Office prior to the beginning of clinical practice. 

The candidate must submit a formal application to be considered for admission to clinical practice. A late application submission may delay clinical practice.

The following criteria are required for admission to clinical practice:

1. Clinical practice application and recommendation forms from adviser and recent education professor. Applications are due by January 30 for clinical practice starting in the fall semester and by April 30 for clinical practice starting in the winter semester.
2. Completion of all teacher education coursework.
3. 2.75 GPA (cumulative, major, and teacher education coursework).
4. Major, cognate and teacher education coursework, with grades lower than a C have been repeated.
5. Minimum grade of C- has been earned in the religion and health courses required for NAD teacher certification.
6. Adhere to professional standards for educators as evaluated on the department's adopted assessment instrument.
7. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students must, with or without reasonable accommodation (physically and mentally), be capable of performing the essential functions of the program and of a professional educator.
8. Passing scores on required Praxis exams. Candidates must pass each required Praxis exam within 2 attempts.

Applicants meeting the above criteria are approved by the Teacher Education Council. The candidate will be informed in writing as to the status of the admission following the action of the Teacher Education Council.

In the event that the Teacher Education Council recommends a conditional acceptance, the candidate will be notified of the conditions. Teacher candidates accepted into clinical practice will receive a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). Failure to complete the PIP in a satisfactory manner may result in a third placement, termination of a placement, or dismissal form the program. 

Candidates who do not meet the required criteria may appeal to the Teacher Education Council. However, submission of an appeal does not guarantee admission to clinical practice.

TRANSITION FOUR: CULMINATION OF TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Clinical practice is considered the culminating experience of the Teacher Education Program. To successfully complete the program the following criteria must be met:

1. Successful completion of clinical practice. 
2. Passing scores on all required licensure exams.
3. Completion of teacher licensure/certification process.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

• Students transferring from another institution and desiring admission to the Teacher Education Program must provide two recommendations from professors at the institution from which they are transferring and meet all admission requirements.
• Transfer students who are seeking licensure and have completed the majority of their field experiences at another institution will be required to complete EDUC 150 and EDUC 201.
• Prior to any field experience, transfer students must complete a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation fingerprinted background check. Should a fingerprint report yield a record of a criminal offense, established departmental protocol will be followed.

Program Specific Info

TEACHER LICENSURE

Every candidate who successfully completes the requirements for teaching in the elementary or secondary school and graduates from Southern Adventist University will receive recommendation for licensure based upon the following criteria:

1. Successful completion of student teaching assignments
2. Satisfactory completion of all credential requirements
3. Passing scores on the following examinations:
• All required state-required assessments

Licensure is not automatic. The eligible candidate must make the necessary application to the Southern Union Conference, and to any other appropriate union conference for denominational certification; and to the State of Tennessee and to any other specific state department of education where the candidate expects to teach. Information regarding licensure is available from the Southern Adventist University certification officer. Since teacher licensure regulations are always in the process of change, graduating teacher education candidates are urged to make their applications for licensure as soon as possible.

WHAT LICENSES MAY BE OBTAINED?

1. Initial Teaching License (Tennessee)
   A license is issued on the basis of a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree with a major in at least one subject teaching field and the completion of an approved teacher education program. Passing scores on all required PRAXIS II Examinations and edTPA (as required) must be obtained.
2. Basic Certificate (SDA denominational)
   This denominational certificate is issued on the basis of completing the following courses in addition to the required professional education and other EDUC courses. A minimum grade of "C-" is required in these:
   • HLED 173 - Health for Life 2 hours
   • RELB/RELT Biblical Studies/Theological Studies 3 hours
   • REL Upper division religion elective 3 hours
   • RELT 138 - Adventist Heritage (R-2) 3 hours
   • RELT 255 - Christian Beliefs (R-2) 3 hours
     or
     RELT 484 - Christian Theology I (R-4) 3 hours and RELT 485 - Christian Theology II (W) (R-4) 3 hours

REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

Candidates for state licensure must complete the appropriate teacher preparation curriculum. This consists of three components: general education, professional education, and major studies as specified in the Southern Adventist University Catalog.

1. General Education:
   This component represents that portion of the total teacher education program designed to foster the development of those competencies that are basic to life's responsibilities and provides intellectual foundation in the liberal arts. Students pursuing a teacher education curriculum must work closely with their advisers for guidance in the selection of general education courses that are appropriate to their individual needs. Relevant courses are listed in this Catalog under the three main areas of the General Education requirements.
   
   
2. Professional Education:
   Elementary: The elementary program with the degree requirements is listed under the heading Liberal Arts Education, BA.
   Secondary and P/K-12: The following courses are required for secondary teaching licensure. In order to be eligible for licensure, candidates must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in the major, professional education, and cumulative areas.
   • EDUC 139 - Introduction to and Foundations of Secondary Education 3 hours
   • EDUC 150 - Professional Standards for Educators 0 hours
   • EDUC 201 - Teacher Education Candidacy 0 hours
   • EDUC 252* - Praxis Preparation--Secondary 0 hours
   • EDUC 253 - Responsive Teaching 1 hour
   • EDUC 348 - Secondary Instructional Methods 2 hours
   • EDUC 317 - Teaching with Technology 2 hours
   • EDUC 342 - Curriculum and Content Methods - Secondary 2 hours
   • EDUC 345 - Learning Theory and Classroom Management 2 hours
   • EDUC 346** - Field Experience in Secondary Education 1-2 hours
   • EDUC 347 - Assessment and Differentiation 2 hours
   • EDUC 419 - Philosophy and Leadership in Christian Education (W) (SERV-2) 3 hours
   • EDUC 434*** - Reading and Writing in the Content Areas 2 hours
   • EDUC 480 - Student Teaching and Teaching Seminar 12 hours
   • PSYC 128 - Developmental Psychology (IN-8) 3 hours
     
     TOTAL 36 HOURS
     
     *Only ESL, Music, and PE/Health majors will be required to enroll in EDUC 252, per revised State of TN requirements.
     **Physical Education and Music Education majors enroll in 1 hour; all other majors must enroll in 2 hours
     ***For English majors only: Enroll in EDUC 298 instead of EDUC 434
     
     Note: Music, English, and Physical Education majors should consult the Catalog sections corresponding to their major for professional education requirements.
     
     
3. Major Studies Requirements:
   
   The following departments/schools offer majors that can be combined with professional education requirements leading to teaching licensure:

DEGREE	LICENSURE LEVEL
	SDA	STATE of TN
BA in Liberal Arts Education Leading to Licensure	K-8	K-5
BA in Biology	6-12	6-12
BA in Chemistry	6-12	6-12
BA in English	6-12	6-12
BA in History	6-12	6-12
BA in Mathematics	6-12	6-12
BMus in Music Education	K-12	K-12
BS in Physical Education	K-12	K-12
BA in Physics	6-12	6-12
BA in Religious Education	6-12
BA in Spanish	K-12	Pre K-12
English as a Second Language Teaching Endorsement	K-12	Pre K-12

Students are to complete the degree requirements as specified by their chosen majors plus the professional education courses as listed above.

Off-campus or online credit will be accepted to the extent of twenty-five percent of the credit required for licensure provided that no more than three semester hours in education are applied on the professional education requirement.

Individuals meeting requirements for secondary licensure who wish to be licensed for elementary or individuals meeting the requirements for elementary education licensure who wish to be licensed/endorsed in one or more secondary areas must meet with the Certification Officer to work out an individualized course of study that meets State of Tennessee and/or Seventh-day Adventist guidelines for teaching licensure.

Requirements