Martha Dickerson Eriksson College of Education
Location: Claxton, 210
Phone: 931-221-7511
Website: www.apsu.edu/educ/
Vision, Mission, and Commitments of the Eriksson College of Education
Vision Statement:
The Eriksson College of Education prepares dynamic teachers and educational leaders to positively impact communities and schools in the 21st century.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Eriksson College of Education at Austin Peay State University is to prepare educators who are ethical, engaged, and effective leaders. We do so by modeling reflective practice and connecting theory to student-centered learning. We leverage the strengths of our community to foster continuous improvement to re-imagine how schools can work.
Commitments:
- Promote Curiosity through Experiential Learning
Our student-centered programs, practices and curricula foster intellectual curiosity, problem-solving, and inquiry based on research and theory.
- Support Reflective Practitioners
Our faculty and students engage in honest self-reflection and strive to meet the needs of a diverse society.
- Empower Change Agents and Ethical Leaders
We are deeply committed to social justice.
- Value Diversity and Equity
We seek opportunities to learn from multiple perspectives and diverse voices.
- Foster Campus and Community Relationships
Our partnerships extend within and beyond the campus to build collaborative relationships with school districts and community leaders.
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 Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, CAEP, accredits the professional education unit at Austin Peay State University. The Tennessee Department of Education approves all programs that lead to teaching licensure. Consistent with CAEP and TN 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 collects and uses candidate and unit performance data to improve our programs. All programs of study will collect evidence of students’ knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
Program Information
Undergraduate Major Programs: The College of Education offers two majors: Interdisciplinary Studies (PreK-3, K-6; 6- 8 Math and Science) and Special Education (K-12 Comprehensive, K-8 Interventionist and SPED 6-12).
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.
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 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 midpoint of the sophomore year. Application for admission is based upon a Transition II performance review. Full admission to the program occurs in the semester prior to clinical teaching. Application for admission is based upon Transition III performance review. Contact the Teacher Licensure Office in Claxton 228 for details.
Teacher Candidate Admissions
To complete the teacher education program and obtain a teaching license, students must progress through the four milestones described below:
Transition I – Candidacy Status
- Completion of EDUC 2100 /EDUC 5500 or equivalent with “C” or better
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Evidence of Professional Dispositions
Transition II – Provisional Status
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- Minimum of “C” in Professional Minor courses
- Evidence of Professional Dispositions
- 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
- Completion of security clearance by TBI/FBI
Transition 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
Transition IV – Induction Status
- Acceptable level for knowledge and skills identified for Transition III through
- Successful completion of edTPA
- 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
Students who have not met one of the requirements for advancing through Transition Points I or II have the option of appealing for a waiver of the requirement and temporary admission to the program.
To begin the appeal process, each student must submit a letter of explanation, a current transcript, a copy of required PRAXIS I - CASE test scores, a completed Appeals Application Form, and two letters of support from faculty. In order for an appeal to be considered, it must be turned in at least one week before the first day of classes of any given semester. The completed form, test scores, transcript, and letters of support should be turned in to the Office of Teacher Licensing in Claxton 228 by the deadline.
GPA Appeal Process
Students with a GPA below the minimum (2.5 Transition Point I; 2.75 Transition Point II) may appeal to advance in their program by submitting an advisor-approved plan for increasing their GPA to the required level.
PRAXIS I (CASE) Appeal Process
Students who have not achieved a passing score on one out of three subtests of the PRAXIS I (CASE) after taking it twice, may appeal for an exception to this provisional admission requirement if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The student must meet the minimum cut-off scores for two of the three subtests.
2. The appealed PRAXIS I (CASE) subtest score cannot vary more than 5 points below the acceptable minimum score, and the student must meet the following criteria:
The student must have a GPA of 2.75; and
The student must have at least a “B” average in English 1010 and 1020 if appealing the Reading and Writing test or ACT Composite; and
The student must have at least a “B” average in all required mathematics courses if appealing the Mathematics test or ACT Composite; and
All of the above courses must have been taken at an accredited college.
All decisions regarding appeals will be made by the Appeals Committee of the College of Education. The student will be notified in writing of the committee’s 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 228 for specific requirements for add-on endorsements.
Additional Teaching Endorsements
Contact the Licensure Office in Claxton 228 for specific requirements for add-on endorsements.