College of Education

Anna E. McEwan, Dean
Wills Hall 213, Station 6360
telephone: (205) 665-6360
fax: (205) 665-6337
e-mail: mcewanae@montevallo.edu

Departments

Mission

The mission of the College of Education is to promote the professional growth of students who have made a commitment to service and careers in the fields of K-12 teaching, counseling, leadership, human development, family studies, dietetics, health promotion, and retail merchandising. The College accepts as its primary role the preparation of professionals who make wise and informed decisions based on sound knowledge, applied experiences, and research-based practices.

Goals

Four broad goals guide the College of Education in positively impacting student performance, enhancing the quality of programs, and improving the efficiency of operations. The goals are to model and promote the use of emerging technology resources, to acknowledge and address the diversity of students, faculty, staff, curriculum, and field or clinical placements, to collaborate with public schools and other community agencies to positively impact P-12 student learning and client development, and to encourage the use and development of best practices in specific fields of study.

Degree Programs

The College of Education offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs in the following areas:

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Education (P-12)
Elementary Education (K-6)
Elementary Education with Special Education (K-6)
Family & Consumer Sciences

FCS Education (6-12)
Human Development and Family Studies
Retail Merchandising

Kinesiology

Health Promotion
Nutrition and Wellness/Dietetics
Physical Education (P-12)

Accreditation

The College is a member of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)/Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). All programs that lead to teacher certification are approved by the Alabama State Board of Education. The Family and Consumer Sciences program is accredited by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) and the dietetics program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND). All three Counseling program tracks are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Teacher Education Program (TEP) Requirements

I. Admission

Students must be formally admitted to the TEP. Applications are available through the Office of Teacher Education Services. Criteria for admission include:

Successful completion of at least 60 credit hours, including at least 48 hours (24 hours for MUS) in General Education.
Minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 as well as 2.5 in all applicable teaching-field courses, and 2.5 in all professional education courses. Effective July 1, 2016, the minimum GPA required in all areas (institution, teaching field, and professional education) will be 2.75.
Minimum grade of C in all general-studies courses, except music-education majors, who must earn a minimum grade of C only in communications and English composition courses. (Also, monitored for retention in the TEP.)
Minimum grade of C in Introduction to Teaching (ED 401 , 402 , or MUS 101 ). This course may be repeated once and only at Montevallo.
Passing score on team interview. Speaking skills and knowledge and abilities based on previous coursework will be among the attributes assessed in the interview. Students have a maximum of three attempts to pass the interview. Guidelines for interviews are located in the Teacher Education Program Handbook and can be obtained from the Office of Teacher Education Services.
Passing score on the basic skills (applied math, reading, and writing) portions of the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP).
Documentation of clear fingerprint and criminal background check conducted through the Alabama State Department of Education.

The Teacher Education Program Handbook, published annually by the Office of Teacher Education Services, describes more specifically the current TEP admission requirements.

II. Retention

Advising is essential for successful completion of the TEP. Variation from the planned program of study created with an advisor could result in failure to be recommended for certification. Regular consultation with an adviser is needed so that students can be apprised of program revisions that result from mandated changes in State certification requirements. Study in the TEP is limited to four years. Requests for extensions of this time limit must be approved by the Dean of the College and could necessitate completion of additional coursework or other requirements.

A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 as well as 2.5 in all applicable teaching-field courses, and 2.5 in all professional education courses must be maintained while studying in the TEP. Effective July 1, 2016, the minimum GPA required in all areas (overall, teaching field, and professional education) will be 2.75. All professional education and teaching-field courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C and may be repeated once and only at Montevallo.

The College, in cooperation with area school systems, has developed a comprehensive program of pre-internship field and clinical experiences in a variety of school settings. These experiences require extensive involvement in schools outside of class. Transportation is the responsibility of the student.

Successful completion of all field and clinical experience requirements, program benchmark assignments, and professional dispositions assessments is necessary for retention in the TEP. The Teacher Education Program Handbook, published annually by the Office of Teacher Education Services, describes more specifically the current TEP retention requirements.

III. Internship

The successful completion of a full semester, full-time internship is required for State certification. Applications are available through the Office of Teacher Education Services. Criteria for the internship include:

A minimum institutional GPA of 2.5 as well as 2.5 in all applicable teaching-field courses, and 2.5 in all professional education courses must be maintained while studying in the TEP. Effective July 1, 2016, the minimum GPA required in all areas (overall, teaching field, and professional education) will be 2.75.
All professional education and teaching-field courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C, and may be repeated once and only at Montevallo.
Successful completion of all pre-internship field and clinical experience requirements, program benchmark assignments, and professional dispositions assessments.
Passing score on required Praxis II examinations.
Participation in the Internship Orientation seminar.

The Teacher Education Program Handbook, published annually by the Office of Teacher Education Services, describes more specifically the current TEP internship requirements.

The College enforces a “no-cut” policy for interns; unexcused absences from the assigned school or seminars are not permitted and each absence will result in a letter grade reduction. Excused absences in excess of two must be made up for successful completion of the internship. Excessive absences will delay completion of the internship, graduation, and certification. All internships will be completed in one semester. The University’s incomplete policy will be strictly adhered to in cases where internships are not completed.

IV. Certification

Upon completion of the TEP, a bachelor’s degree in an approved program, a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all areas (institution, teaching field, and professional education), and a passing score on the comprehensive exam and/or portfolio are required. Effective July 1, 2016, the minimum GPA required in all areas (overall, teaching field, and professional education) will be 2.75.

Eligible candidates may be recommended for Class B certification in the State of Alabama. Candidates must complete an application for Alabama Teacher Certification. Instructions for completing the certification form are available through the Office of Teacher Education Services. The appropriate fees (money order or cashier’s check made payable to the Alabama State Department of Education) must be submitted with the application for certification. The application for certification, fee payment, and the candidate’s transcript are forwarded to the State Department of Education. The University cannot recommend any candidate for certification that has not satisfied all Alabama and UM requirements for admission to and completion of an approved program. Students have five years after their program completion date to apply for certification.

For certification in two teaching fields at one level, it is necessary to complete the requirements of each teaching field, the appropriate professional studies courses, and a full semester, full-time internship in each teaching field.