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Arts & Sciences | School of Education | School of Humanities | School of Sciences | School of Social Sciences

School of Education
Trevor F. Hutchins, Associate Dean

Department of Education | Academic Majors | Education Courses | Department of Health and Human Performance

Department of Education

Trevor F. Hutchins (chair), Sharon Crumpton**, Rachel Flynn, Melinda Grimac, Zafrullah Khan, Joy Kimmons (Department chair), Merrie King, James C. Stamper, Cynthia Watkins, Sharon Yates.
 *Part-time, **Full-time in academic area.

Faculty from other academic areas: Tabby Bewley, Sharon Crumpton, Steven Murphree

Vision:

As a central part of a premier teaching university, the unit provides the knowledge, skills, and experiences for a person to pursue a life-long commitment to quality teaching. Our vision is for educators who see teaching as an integral human activity that both imparts and facilitates the gaining of knowledge. We want educators who not only facilitate student learning but who enjoy what they are doing and are energized by creatively employing a variety of educative processes. We envision graduates who are positive role models in all senses and who continually reflect on their role and performance as an educator.

This vision, facilitated through and supported by Belmont University’s vision of a consistently caring Christian environment, and enacted through our Conceptual Framework will enable the individual to build toward becoming an effective educator.

Purpose:

To provide the knowledge, skills and experiences for a person to pursue a life-long commitment to quality learning and teaching and allow graduates to be licensed as teachers in the State of Tennessee.

Goals:

  1. Develop skills for effective teaching of prospective teachers for kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary schools.
  2. Provide a conceptual framework reflecting what is known about how learners learn best.
  3. Promote Christian values and ethics as they relate to teaching students from various cultures and backgrounds.
  4. Emphasize application of sound educational principles.
  5. Provide opportunities for extensive field work.
  6. To provide a basis for life-long development as a educator.

Accreditation

Belmont University is a member of the National Council for Accredition of Teacher Education, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education and the Association of Liberal Arts Colleges of Teacher Education. It has the approval of the State Board of Education of Tennessee as an authorized teacher education institution.

Licensure

In completing the requirements for a major in education and licensure, the regulations which are in effect at the time the student is admitted to the Teacher Education Program shall be considered binding unless directed otherwise by the licensure office of the Tennessee State Department of Education. Passing scores on the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) and the appropriate tests from (Praxis II), as prescribed by the State Department of Education, are required for Tennessee licensure. Students are required to have successfully completed appropriate tests of the Praxis II prior to commencing student teaching. Completion of the specified courses in the Teacher Education Program does not guarantee a recommendation for licensure and/or a teaching position.

A professional semester of enhanced student teaching is required for all students seeking a major in education and licensure. During this semester the student may enroll only in the courses approved for the student teaching semester semester. Only education courses completed at Belmont can be counted for licensure.

 

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Admission to the Teacher Education Program

All undergraduate students who desire a major in education and licensure are required to apply, for admission to the Teacher Education Program when enrolled in EDU 2100 (Foundations of Education). The application will be submitted to the Department of Education for review and recommendation(s). The department recommendation(s) will be forwarded to the Teacher Education Council for formal acceptance into the program.

To be accepted into the Teacher Education Program, a student must have:

  1. completed at least twenty-nine (29) semester hours (must include EDU 2100 with a grade of "C" or higher);
  2. achieved a cumulative grade point average of 2.5;
  3. achieved at least a "C" in each of the following: (a) ENG 1100 and 2100, Advanced Placement in English, or a recommendation from the Department of Literature and Language; (b) a basic speech course;
  4. passed Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) or the equivalent required by the Department of Education of the State of Tennessee; Note: Candidates with an SAT of 1020 or better or an ACT of 22 or better are exempt from the PPST;
  5. have a satisfactory dispositional profile as completed by student and faculty;
  6. completed a background check through EDU 0500, and provide documentation of professional liability insurance;
  7. successful defense of portfolio at interview for admission to Teacher Education Program;
  8. received a recommendation by the Department of Education to the Teacher Education Council. (Written notification of the recommendation by the Department of Education will be made. In case of denial, an appeals process enables students to reapply for screening.);
  9. approval of the Teacher Education Council, Belmont University. (Written notification of the decision by the council will be made. In case of denial, an appeals process enables students to reapply for screening.)

Admissions reviews are important steps in the screening process; admission to the Teacher Education Program and/or to student teaching are not automatic with the attainment of required grades, minimum grade point averages, or the completion of required courses.

Satisfactory progress through the program: Failure to satisfy any requirement at a second opportunity is deemed as an appropriate circumstance to exclude the student from the program. Students have a right of appeal (in writing) to the Associate Dean of the School of Education.

Admission to Student Teaching

All students who are working toward a major in education and licensure to teach in secondary or elementary schools must complete the enhanced student teaching or internship requirement. Formal application must be completed on the appropriate form and submitted to the Department of Education at least two semesters prior to the semester in which the student teaching is to be done.

To be eligible for student teaching, the student must have met the following requirements:

A. Prior to the Department of Education student teacher interview:

  1. attained admission to the Teacher Education Program;
  2. completed with at least a “C”, at least two of the remaining core courses: EDU 2110, EDU 2221/, EDU 2223, EDU 3800;
  3. completed MTH 1050 and MTH 1060 if license area is Pre-K–4 or 5-8;
  4. completed or be enrolled in appropriate methodology courses;
  5. achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 in all courses taken at Belmont University.

B. Prior to being permitted to register for the professional semester:

  1. completed a portfolio interview with a committee of professionals in education at during the final methods course (recommendations of the committee will be forwarded to the Department of Education for review and action before sending the application to the Teacher Education Council, Belmont University);
  2. received approval of the Teacher Education Council, Belmont University, at least one semester prior to the the student teaching semester (written notification of the decision by the council will be made -- an appeals process enables students to reapply for screening if denied);
  3. completed all courses except those approved by the Department of Education for the professional semester;
  4. earned no grade lower that a “C” on each education course taken at Belmont University;
  5. achieved a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 in all courses taken at Belmont University and/or transferred to this institution and at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in all education courses taken at Belmont University;
  6. satisfactorily completed the current teacher education computer (technology) requirement;
  7. Passed all relevant sections of the Praxis II test/s.

A review of the student's record(s) to verify the above requirements will be completed prior to registration for the professional semester.

Satisfactory progress through the program: Failure to satisfy any requirement at a second opportunity is deemed as an appropriate circumstance to exclude the student from the program. Students have a right of appeal (in writing) to the Chair of the Department of Education.

Placement of Student Teachers

The placement of student teachers is determined by the Belmont Department of Education. Every student is placed in two different schools based on grade level, student demographics, and location for their enhanced student teaching experience. In this way, the department ensures that the licensure candidates participate in experiences with culturally diverse and exceptional populations. This program is in conformity with the regulations for licensure of teachers in the state of Tennessee and meets the requirement of the teacher’s license.

In addition to fulfilling the General Education core requirements and the Professional Education requirements, students must have an academic major in addition to education, referred to as the partnering major in order to become teachers.

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