Education

Professor Terry Simpson, Chair, Division of Education

Teacher Education Professional Courses

Teacher education at Maryville College is an interdepartmental function, the responsibility of the College as a whole rather than a single department. The program of preparation combines broad study in the liberal arts, specialized courses in a major field of study, and a professional education component. For students who plan to teach in the elementary grades, Maryville College offers a program designed to prepare students for licensure for grades K-6. These students complete the Major in Child Development and Learning offered through the Division of Behavioral Sciences. Those interested in teaching at the secondary level (grades 7-12) complete the appropriate major in the area in which they plan to teach.

The following secondary licensure areas are available: Biology, Chemistry, Economics/History, English, History, History/Economics, History/Political Science, Mathematics, Political Science/History, and Spanish. French and German are offered as initial licensure in conjunction with another licensure field. Music (vocal or instrumental) and Physical Education/Health are available as K-12 licensure programs. Teaching English as a Second Language is available as a P-12 licensure program. Students must pass the Content Knowledge exams of the Praxis II Series before they are assigned to student teaching.

Additional professional courses designed to prepare students to meet licensure standards must also be taken. These are listed below.

Secondary Licensure: Physical Education/Health, Recreation 236, Psychology 218 and 334, (Physical Education/Health for licensure students are exempt from Psychology 334.) Education 301, 302, 321, 343 (two credits), 401 and 402 (may be combined with Senior Study 352). Physical Education/Health and Teaching English as a Second Language majors take two additional hours of practicum credit.

Elementary Licensure: Education 302, 303, 305, 321, 322, 323, 401, and 402 (may be combined with Senior Study 352).

Post-Baccalaureate Program for Teacher Licensure: Maryville College offers a Post-Baccalaureate Program for teacher licensure in the following licensure areas: Biology, Chemistry, Elementary Education, English, History, History/Economics or History/Political Science, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education/Health, and Spanish. Post-baccalaureate students must meet the same screening and admission standard as Maryville College baccalaureate students. In addition, post-baccalaureate students must pass the Content Knowledge Exams of the Praxis II Series before they are assigned to student teaching. The Registrar, adviser from the academic discipline, and adviser from the Division of Education evaluate academic transcripts to design an appropriate course of study. Student teaching consists of fifteen weeks of full-day responsibilities.

Additional Endorsements: Maryville College offers additional endorsements in the following licensure areas: Biology, Chemistry, Economics, Elementary Education, English, History, Mathematics, Geography, Government, French, German and Spanish. Maryville College baccalaureate students may complete an additional endorsement according to the following guidelines while completing their initial licensure:

Each candidate (with the exceptions noted in b., c., and d.) must complete a minor in the endorsement area as part of an individualized educational plan developed by the academic adviser. Requirements for a minor designed for additional endorsement may vary from those for a traditional minor, a larger number of credit hours may be required, and some additional endorsements may be available only to students majoring in a related area. Specific additional endorsement requirements are available from faculty advisers in the subject areas.
A candidate completing initial licensure in Economics/History, History, or History/Economics may complete an additional endorsement in Government with Political Science 121, 122 and one course from Political Science 211 and 212.
A candidate completing initial licensure in History, History/Political Science, or Political Science/History may complete an additional endorsement in Economics with Economics 201, 251 and 332.
A candidate completing initial licensure in Economics/History, History, History/Economics, History/ Political Science, or Political Science/History may complete an initial endorsement in Geography with Social Science 201 and two additional courses chosen from World Cultures 310, 320, 330, 340, and 350.

Students are required to achieve the minimum passing score(s) on the Praxis specialty test(s) for the endorsement area.

For all teacher licensure programs, careful planning of one’s course of study is necessary to ensure that all general education, major, and professional requirements are met in a timely manner. It is particularly important to complete Psychology 101, Introductory Psychology, in the freshman year. Students should meet with the adviser for teacher licensure in their major area as soon as possible.

Admission to Teacher Education is not automatic and occurs only after certain qualifications are met. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 in the major and overall is required in addition to a minimum score on certain standardized tests. The Level I screening process is fully explained at screening meetings held in October and February each year. Requirements include, in addition to the GPA and standardized test requirements, a writing sample from the candidate, satisfactory recommendations from faculty and others, and an interview with the Screening Committee. Admission to Teacher Education is considered conditional until Level II of the process is completed the semester prior to student teaching. No course with an Education (EDU) prefix may be taken unless a student has been accepted into the Teacher Education program through the Level I screening process.

Title II of the Higher Education Act mandates that institutions publish pass rates on Praxis II exams required by the State of Tennessee for teacher licensure.

2002-2003 Maryville College Pass Rate - 97%
2003-2004 Maryville College Pass Rate - 99%
2004-2005 Maryville College Pass Rate - 100%