Dreeben School of Education

EDUCATION (EDUC)

Teacher Education is a valued program of study at the University of the Incarnate Word because it so directly addresses the mission to which the University is committed. The emphasis of the program incorporates a broad liberal arts education as a foundation for the more in-depth focus on academic teaching specializations and the body of knowledge associated with the teaching/learning process. The program prepares individuals for a profession in which they can affect society and mankind in significant, positive ways.

The Teacher Education program at University of the Incarnate Word is a field-based program that provides intensive, realistic, and high quality experiences in settings where preservice teachers can match theory and practice, observe effective teaching practices, encounter diversity, and explore and develop their teaching in close interaction with university faculty. Based on data submitted by the State Board for Educator Certification, UIW's Teacher Certification Program is ranked in the first quartile with an overall pass rate of 98%.

Programs of Study

NOTE: Students seeking certification from the University of the Incarnate Word's Teacher Preparation Program will be subject to any additional or new requirements, which may be set forth by legislative mandates or by the State Board for Educator Certification.

Baccalaureate degrees are offered with or without certification in Interdisciplinary Studies (EC-grade 4), Secondary certification (grades 8-12) and All Level certification (grades PreK-12). Programs leading to baccalaureate degrees with certification are State Board for Educator Certification approved and are designed to prepare students for initial certification and teaching in elementary and/or secondary schools.

Under the direction of the Dreeben School of Education faculty, students can prepare for initial certification and teaching at the elementary level (Interdisciplinary Studies), secondary level (major with certification), or for all-level certification in specified content areas (major with certification). See advisor for details.

At present, the University of the Incarnate Word offers certification in the following areas and at the following levels. (Other fields may be available in the future.)

SECONDARY EDUCATION

A secondary teaching program resulting in certification for eighth through twelfth grades is available. A student following this course of study will take the general education core, coursework in a major (teaching field) and a minor in Secondary Education (pre-professional courses, and the professional development sequence). Upon successful completion of both the program and applicable TExES examinations, the student will be eligible to apply for state certification to teach eighth through twelfth grades within their specialization field(s).

The following teaching fields are available at the secondary level:

English Language Arts, History, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Mathematics

Students pursuing English Language Arts/Reading certification must also take the following reading courses: EDUC 3316, EDUC 3317, EDUC 3350, EDUC 3351

Requirements for a minor in Secondary Education

PreProfessional:

Professional:

Requirements for a Minor in Reading:

ALL LEVEL TEACHING (ALVT)

ALVT is an all-level teaching program resulting in certification for pre-kindergarten through the twelfth grade. A student will earn a B.A., B.M., or B.S., depending on the specialization chosen. A student following this course of study will take the general education secondary core, specialization coursework, and a minor in All Level Education (pre-professional courses and the professional development sequence). Upon successful completion of both the program and applicable TExES examinations, the student will be eligible to apply for state certification to teach elementary through high school level students within their chosen field of study. The following specializations are available to ALVT majors: Art; Music; Physical Education; Spanish and Theatre Arts.

Requirements for a Minor in All Level Education:

PreProfessional:

Professional:

Note: Specific course work related to each All-Level specialization is outlined under specialization headings.

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (IDS)

IDS is an EC-4 teaching program resulting in certification for pre- kindergarten through fourth grade. A student following this course of study will take the general education core, the Interdisciplinary Studies major, specialization coursework in reading and early childhood education, pre-professional courses, and the professional development sequence. Students completing the IDS major will also meet the requirements for a minor in reading. Upon successful completion of both the program and applicable TExES examinations, the student will be eligible to apply for state certification to teach self-contained EC-fourth grade classes.

The University of the Incarnate Word offers programs approved by the State Board for Educator Certification and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and UIW is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

GENERAL EDUCATION CORE FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

I. Rhetoric (6 hours)

II. Literature and Fine arts (6 hours):

III. Philosophy and Religious Studies (9 hours):

IV. History and Social Sciences (6 hours):

V. Mathematics and Natural Sciences (7 hours):

VI. Second Language (6 hours):

VII. Wellness (3 hours):

VIII. Core Electives (9 hours):

IX. Community Service (45 hours)

Computer literacy (must be demonstrated by EDUC 3340:Technology in Education)

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES MAJOR

Interdisciplinary Courses

EDUCATION/READING SPECIALIZATION

PRE-PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE

Admission to Teacher Certification Education (TCP)

All students who plan to follow a program leading to initial certification must formally apply and be admitted to the Teacher Certification Program. Applications for admission into Teacher Education are accepted within the first six weeks of both the spring and the fall semesters. The application packet may be picked up at the Certification Office.

NO STUDENT MAY TAKE COURSEWORK IN THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SEQUENCE PRIOR TO UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE INTO THE TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.

Specific dates for the TCP application process are announced at the beginning of each semester. Applicants are responsible for meeting posted deadlines. The students must submit application packets containing the following information by the specified deadline.

1. A transcript issued by the Registrar's Office of each college or university attended (an unofficial transcript is acceptable) verifying that:
   1. At least 60 hours of college core coursework has been completed or is in progress. Students are responsible for providing all documentation of coursework, including transfer transcripts.
   2. The student has a cumulative grade point average of a 2.75 or greater at time of application. Students are responsible for maintaining minimum GPA requirement of 2.75 until program completion.
   3. For undergraduates, a grade of "C" or better must have been earned for every course taken; undergraduate students are responsible for maintaining grades of "C" or better in each course until the program is completed.
2. A copy of a self-updated degree plan. If no degree plan exists for an undergraduate applicant, the student must formally apply to the major through Academic Advising. This application process occurs each fall and spring semester. Specific dates are announced at the beginning of each semester.
3. Verification that all three sections (reading, writing and mathematics) of the THEA (Texas Higher Education Assessment) exam have been successfully completed with a score of 230 or higher.
4. Verification of a score at or above 30% on the Nelson Denny Reading Test.
5. As evidence of ability in critical thinking, completion with a grade of "C" or higher on the following courses: Introduction to Philosophy, Logic, or a mathematics course at or above the level of College Algebra.
6. Verification that EDUC 2305: Foundations of Education has been successfully completed or is in progress.
7. Submission of a well-written one-page essay on an educational topic. The student will be given a topic on which to write. This "writing sample" will be monitored and completed during a scheduled thirty-minute period. Sign-up times for this writing sample are made available during the application period.
8. Submission of two separate written recommendations. Forms are provided in application packet. Whenever possible, students should seek recommendations from non-education content area faculty members who have had the student in class and can attest to performance in academic coursework.

NOTE: Additional data regarding fitness for teaching - maturity, independence, responsibility, interpersonal relations, etc, - are solicited from the UIW members of the community who have come in contact with the applicant. This data may be considered in the Teacher Education Advisory Committee's deliberations described below. This information is of great significance to the decisions made by both the Dreeben School of Education and the university-wide committee regarding acceptance into the Teacher Certification Program.

After all application requirements have been submitted, interviews are scheduled. These interviews usually consist of one hour sessions with five to eight applicants in each session. Members of the Dreeben School of Education faculty and administration as well as University faculty and administration from other disciplines, will make up the interview teams. Recommendations from the interview teams will then be presented to the Dreeben School of Education faculty for their approval and recommendations. These approvals and recommendations will then be presented to the university-wide Teacher Education Advisory Committee for final consideration. A formal letter of unconditional acceptance, conditional acceptance, or denial will be mailed to each applicant by the end of the semester. The Certification Office will not make any announcements as to the status of any applicant until such letters are sent.

ACCEPTANCE INTO THE TEACHER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM DOES NOT GUARANTEE ACCEPTANCE INTO TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP OR STATE CERTIFICATION.

Admission to Teacher Apprenticeship

The two final courses in the professional development sequence involve supervised teaching and an associated seminar. Undergraduates take the Teaching Apprenticeship, a one-semester experience of supervised teaching in conjunction with a Teaching Apprenticeship Seminar. Post-bac candidates have two options: The Teaching Apprenticeship or an Internship. The details of the Internship are described in a following section; however, all of the procedures for applying to the apprenticeship program, as described in this section, must also be followed by students who prefer to fulfill the requirement for a supervised teaching experience with an internship.

Students must apply for Teacher Apprenticeship the semester BEFORE they plan to apprentice. The Dreeben School of Education, the university-wide Teacher Education Advisory Committee, and the State Board for Educator Certification all recommend that students applying for apprenticeship must have completed, or be in the process of completing, all required course-work prior to making application. On a case-by-case basis, the Director of Teacher Education may give approval for registration in only one three-credit course along with Teacher Apprenticeship and Teacher Apprenticeship Seminar; students must request this consideration in writing.

Students wishing to complete the Apprenticeship, or begin the Internship, in the fall semester should apply in the previous spring or summer. Students wishing to do the Apprenticeship in the spring semester should apply the previous fall; no Internships may be started in the spring semester.

Applications for Teacher Apprenticeship/Internship are accepted each fall and spring semester. Specific application dates are announced at the beginning of each semester. Applicants are responsible for adhering to all deadlines. The students must submit application packets containing the following information by the specified deadline:

1. Proof of unconditional acceptance into the Teacher Certification Program.
2. A score of 80% or above on the content area TExES practice exam.
3. A transcript issued by the Registrar's office (an unofficial transcript is acceptable) verifying:
   1. All course-work on degree plan has been completed or is in progress, with the exception of the apprenticeship course and seminar, and the option of one additional three-hour course (if approved by the Director of Teacher Education).
   2. The student has a cumulative grade point average of a 2.75 or greater at the time of application. Students are responsible for maintaining a minimum GPA until program completion.
   3. For undergraduates, a grade of "C" or better must have been earned for every course taken; undergraduate students are responsible for maintaining grades of "C" or better in each course until the program is complete.
4. A self-updated degree plan verifying the completion of all courses. This includes all transfer credit/work, all courses waived, or all courses substituted, if any.

NOTE: It is the obligation of the applicant to prove that listed course-work on the official degree plan HAS BEEN COMPLETED. The Certification Officer will not take responsibility for the reconstruction of degree plans, the collection of any transfer credit hours or transcripts, the waiver or the substitution of any listed course-work, any change of grades, any requests for independent study, or any fulfillment of IP's.

NOTE: Additional data regarding fitness for teaching - maturity, independence, responsibility, interpersonal relations, etc., - are solicited from UIW members of the community who have come in contact with the applicant; this data may be considered in the University-Wide Teacher Education Committee's deliberations as described below. This information is of great significance to the decisions made by both the Dreeben School of Education and the University-Wide Committee regarding acceptance into the Teacher Certification program.

6. Submission of a formal paper describing the applicant's philosophy of education. This essay must be typed and must reflect the applicant's experiences and attitudes toward individual teaching style, methods, and goals. This essay may also be included in the applicant's portfolio.

7. A portfolio demonstrating the applicant's experiences and work within the education program. These portfolios are designed to reflect and assess the applicant's growth and expertise within their chosen fields throughout their educational experiences.

After all application requirements are submitted, interviews are scheduled. These interviews usually consist of one hour sessions with five to eight applicants in each session. Members of the Dreeben School of Education faculty and administration, as well as university faculty and administration from other disciplines, will comprise the interview teams. Recommendations from the interview teams will then be presented to the Dreeben School of Education faculty for their approval and recommendations. These approvals and recommendations will then be presented to the university-wide Teacher Education Advisory Committee for final consideration. A formal letter of unconditional acceptance, conditional acceptance, or denial will be mailed to each applicant by the end of the semester. The Certification Office will not make any announcements as to the status of any applicant until such letters are sent.

An additional six hours of upper-division education courses may be substituted for Apprenticeship (but not the seminar) by the UIW Certification Officer ONLY if a candidate has taught full time for two years under contract in an accredited school in the area and at the same level as the desired certification; performance in the program and written evaluations of the two-year teaching experience(s) will be major considerations in the decision.

A seminar must be completed during the semester of the Apprenticeship/Internship. In order to successfully complete this seminar, all practice TExES exams required for certification must be passed with a score of 80% or above. Students who fail to achieve a passing score on any practice TExES exam during the seminar must repeat the seminar until all practice TExES exams required for certification are passed with a score of 80% or above.

In addition to the successful completion of the Teacher Apprenticeship, students must also complete additional requirements to be certified by the State Board for Educator Certification. The Certification Office will provide information to candidates at the time of their application to SBEC.

Internship

In January 1988, the State Board of Education adopted Rule 19 TIC 137.321 for persons seeking initial teacher certification who already hold a baccalaureate degree. One of the provisions in the certification requirement is:

"(D) a field internship of one school year where the intern may be employed as a teacher of record and where the intern is jointly supervised by the college or university and a cooperating school district accredited or recognized by the Texas Education Agency…." (137.321).

Internships offer an opportunity for the intern to meet the requirements for a student teaching experience while employed in a teaching position and is a cooperative effort between the intern, the school district, and the University of the Incarnate Word. The University of the Incarnate Word is responsible for the internships in terms of SBEC requirements and supervision. Therefore, all internships MUST be approved by the UIW Certification Officer prior to acceptance of a position in the school district.

The student must meet the eligibility requirements described by the Texas Academic Code, as listed below. The internship may be extended for up to two years if determined necessary by the school district and the university. (The program is not available to pre-service students who are pursuing teacher certification in conjunction with meeting undergraduate degree requirements.)

Internships are for two consecutive academic semesters and may only begin in the fall. The Student Apprenticeship Seminar must be taken in conjunction with the Internship. Interns must meet the University deadlines for registering for the internship. To be eligible, the student must:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
2. Have and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
3. Be unconditionally accepted into the Teacher Certification Program.
4. Be accepted for Apprenticeship/Internship by the Dreeben School of Education faculty.
5. Have successfully completed all required coursework.
6. Be hired in a full time position by an accredited school located within Bexar County and in a location approved by University of the Incarnate Word. The teaching position must be in the area and at the level for which certification is sought (60% of the school day must be in the area and level of certification). The position must be approved by the UIW Certification Officer prior to a contract being signed or even a verbal commitment made to the district.

Application and Approval for State Certification

Application for Texas certification is made available through the Certification Office of the University of the Incarnate Word. Information regarding testing dates, registration deadlines, or testing sites is available through published bulletins available in the Certification Office. Application for certification takes place once all coursework, an Apprenticeship or Internship, and required state-administered competency examinations (TExES) examinations have been successfully completed.

NOTE: It is the recommendation of the Certification Office that the application for state certification be filed immediately after graduation or upon completion of all required TExES examinations, whichever comes first, to ensure that program changes, if any, do not affect certification status of individual applying.

Students seeking certification from the University of the Incarnate Word Program are subject to any additional or new requirements set forth by legislative mandates or by the State Board for Educator Certification.

Child Studies

Child Studies is a non-certification program in education for students who are seeking careers in the early childhood profession in childcare and preschool settings. Students eligible for this degree program will have obtained a CDA, an Associate's Degree or 60 hours in early childhood education and core requirements. Coursework for Child Studies are only offered through ADCaP program.

A student following this course of study will take the general education core, specialized course work (transferred from a community college) and upper division professional requirements. After the completion of this program the student is qualified as an early childhood professional educator.

General Education Core for the BA in Child Studies:

Major in Child Development and/or Early Childhood Education

Up to 36 hours of transfer credit in the Associate's Degree or within the 60 Hours in child development/early childhood transferred:

Core Electives: Choose any three (3) below from different disciplines: 9

Anthropology, History, Economics, Mathematics, Speech,

Political Science, Sciences, Psychology, Religious Studies,

Sociology, Literature, Philosophy, Fine Arts,

Computer Literacy (pass exam/waive) 3

INTERDISCIPLINARY MODULE

English:

Physical Education:

Upper Division Education

Upper Division Module:

TESOL Concentration

The Dreeben School of Education has an 18-hour undergraduate concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) with 2 required linguistics courses offered by the English Department. This concentration does not lead to Texas Teacher Certification but is primarily taken by persons wishing to teach English in other countries.

Choose one of the following:

Early Childhood Administration

Early Childhood Administration is a non-certification program for students who are seeking a career in administration in the early childhood profession. This course of study is offered as a joint program between University of the Incarnate Word and Del Mar Community College. The general education requirements and the early childhood development module are offered through Del Mar Community College and the major requirements module and the education module are offered through the University of the Incarnate Word's Adult Degree Completion Program on the Del Mar campus in Corpus Christi, Texas. After completion of the program, the student is qualified as an early childhood administrator.

Major Requirements Module for the BA in Early Childhood Administration

Education Module in Early Childhood Administration