Martha Dickerson Eriksson College of Education
Location: Claxton, 210
Phone: 931-221-7696
Website: www.apsu.edu/educ/
Vision and Mission of the APSU Teacher Education Unit
Consistent with the institutional vision and mission and with our heritage as an institution with a major commitment to quality teacher preparation, the vision of the teacher education unit at Austin Peay State University is to prepare highly qualified professionals who are knowledgeable and skilled in standards-based practice. Our goal is to prepare competent, reflective, and caring educators who, while working in collaboration with other professionals, will serve as change agents to foster development and learning in the lives of all learners. Our theme, “Preparing Professionals Through Standards-Based Practices” reflects our vision, mission, and goals, and supports reflective, data-informed planning for continuous improvement.
Strategic Profile
The College of Education offers undergraduate and graduate programs with emphasis on professional preparation of teachers and other school personnel. The College of Education is divided into major instructional areas including Interdisciplinary Studies (PreK-3, elementary and middle graders), Special Education, and various secondary education and K-12 specialty fields. The Professional Education minor is required for all initial teacher licensure programs. Teacher licensure is available at undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and graduate levels. Advanced graduate programs are also available in Educational Leadership Studies, Curriculum and Instruction (with specialization in special education, instructional technology, mathematics, and advanced studies), and Reading.
Accreditation
The professional education unit at Austin Peay State University is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and all programs that lead to teaching licenses are approved by the Tennessee Department of Education. Consistent with NCATE and state standards and guidelines, a conceptual framework (Preparing Professionals through Standards-Based Practices) has been established. The professional education unit has adopted standards-based “program outcomes” for all programs of study. An electronic assessment system has been designed to collect and use candidate and unit performance data to improve our programs. Candidates in all programs of study will collect evidence of their knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
Program Information
Undergraduate Major Programs: The College of Education offers two majors: Interdisciplinary Studies (PreK-3, K-6; 4-8) and Special Education (K-12).
Licensure Program: Majors for licensure programs at the secondary level are offered in academic departments. Refer to specific disciplines in this Bulletin.
Academic Requirements for Degree: All students should be informed concerning general requirements for a baccalaureate degree and the specific Liberal Arts core courses that apply to teacher licensure as they differ from other degree programs.
Online Correspondence Credit toward Licensure: Correspondence and online credit for licensure is not acceptable without prior approval by the Dean on the Coursework Approval Form available from the Office of the Registrar.
Post-baccalaureate Licensure: Holders of degrees from APSU or other universities who seek to complete a teacher education program post-baccalaureate are required to meet state and/or departmental requirements. (See the Office of Teacher Licensure in Claxton 206 for evaluation.) Some post-baccalaureate coursework may be applicable toward a graduate degree.
Additional Requirements for Licensure in other States: Students seeking licensure in Kentucky or other states should consult with their advisor and the Teacher Licensure Officer regarding additional requirements. For requirements in other states, the student should consult the respective state’s Department of Education.
Academic Major
The teacher candidate should follow the major or the teaching major in the academic department as listed in this Bulletin. Students should consult both their academic major and education advisors and meet requirements for admission to teacher education given below.
NOTE: Additional courses in the academic department may be required for the student seeking licensure.
Admission Requirements
ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES TO THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
Provisional admission to the program typically occurs at the end of the sophomore year. Application for admission is based upon a Milestone II performance review. Full admission to the program occurs in the semester prior to clinical teaching. Application for admission is based upon Milestone III performance review. Contact the Teacher Licensure Office in Claxton 206 for details.
Teacher Candidate Admissions Process
To complete the teacher education program and obtain a teaching license, students must progress through the four milestones described below:
Milestone I – Candidacy Status
- Completion of EDUC 2100 /EDUC 5500 or equivalent with “C” or better
- Minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate credit or 3 hours of graduate credit
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Evidence of Professional Dispositions
- Completion of security clearance by TBI/FBI.
Milestone II – Provisional Status
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- Minimum of “C” in Professional Minor courses
- Evidence of Professional Dispositions
- Minimum of 45 hours if undergraduate or 9 hours if graduate student
- Minimum Praxis I (CASE Reading—156; Writing—162; and Math—150 or ACT—22; SAT—1020) or GRE (Verbal—350 and Quantitative—350) for graduate students
- Successful interview (during EDUC 3070 /EDUC 5501)
- Completion of security clearance by TBI/FBI
Milestone III – Clinical Status
- 2.75 GPA
- Minimum grade of “C” in all professional Education courses
- Passing all required Praxis II tests (see list of testing requirements for specific tests on College of Education Website)
- Completion of all courses required for licensure/degree
- Successful mastery of Austin Peay Professional Teaching Standards I-VII
- Evidence of Professional Disposition
- Completion of security clearance by TBI/FBI
Milestone IV – Induction Status
- Acceptable level for knowledge and skills identified for Milestone IV through approval of successful completion of Teaching Performance Assessment
- Evidence of Professional Dispositions
- Successful completion of clinical placement seminars
- Passing grades in both clinical placements
- Completion of all licensure requirements
- Completion of security clearance by TBI/FBI
Appeal Process
Candidates who do not meet one or more of the criteria for completion of a milestone are permitted in some cases to request a waiver. The candidate should acquire an Appeals Form in the Office of Teacher Licensure (Claxton 206) and return it along with an official transcript to the Office of Teacher Licensure. The College of Education’s Appeals Committee meets once or twice each semester. Candidates are notified by the Director of Teacher Education in writing of the committee’s recommendation and his decision.
Future Changes in Teacher Education
State Board of Education policy changes take precedence over the licensure programs in this Bulletin. Some of these changes and certain college-initiated changes may occur before this Bulletin is replaced with another edition. Education advisors will be able to provide information about current requirements. Such changes are posted on the College of Education Website.
Preparation for Secondary School Teachers
(Licensure for 7-12 OR K-12)
This curriculum is designed for students who desire a degree in the arts or sciences with licensure to teach in the secondary school (grades 7-12) or to teach art, health and physical education, or music (grades K-12). All requirements for provisional and full admission to teacher education apply to these programs of study. Students must complete a General Education requirement, an appropriate major, and the Professional Education minor totaling 120 hours or more. Students seeking licensure in 7-12 or K-12 programs must complete the General Education requirement for the B.A. or B.S. degree as designated in this Bulletin. Courses completed must satisfy required state licensure guidelines.
Additional Teaching Endorsements
Contact the Licensure Office in Claxton 206 for specific requirements for add-on endorsements.