www.ulm.edu/education/

Beutner, Bista, Jennings, Kim, Lovett, Mann, Powell, Pugh, Stanley, Schween, Williamson

The School of Education offers a variety of curricula leading to certification in teacher education.

Teacher candidates enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education prepare to teach students in grades 1-5. With a 12 credit hour add-on plan for Early Childhood, Elementary Education candidates may prepare to teach Kindergarten and Nursery School (PK) in addition to grades 1-5.

Secondary Education and Teaching majors earning the Bachelor of Science may opt for one of seven areas of education concentrations including Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, English, French, Social Studies, and Spanish. 

Secondary education majors may choose to select a secondary focus area and complete credit hours that apply toward a second teaching field. To be certified in a second teaching field that is a core academic area (biology, chemistry, earth science, English, French, mathematics, social studies, and Spanish) requires 30 credit hours or the Praxis content specialty area exam(s). To be certified in a second teaching field that is not a core academic area (computer science, journalism, and speech) requires 21 credit hours or the Praxis content specialty exam(s).

Objectives

The School of Education and Human Development, in harmony with the objectives of the University of Louisiana at Monroe, is dedicated to preparing learning facilitators, utilizing the ULM Interactive Learning Model wherein general education, professional studies, and specialty studies interact strategically with clinical and field experiences. Toward that end, these objectives have been adopted:

1. To prepare, at the undergraduate level, prospective teacher candidates who will be liberally educated, knowledgeable in specialized teaching fields, competent in professional understandings and methods, proficient in assessing and improving student learning, and responsible to the moral and aesthetic obligations inherent to the school and multi-cultural community.
2. To prepare, at the graduate level, teachers and other school personnel whose competence in improving student learning shall be assured by maintenance of a proper balance between advanced subject matter and professional courses, and appropriate experiences.

The School of Education offers a broad course of study in Educational Leadership and Counseling, and Curriculum and Instruction.

The School offers the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (with Early Childhood add-on available); and Secondary Education and Teaching in Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Earth Science Education, English Education, French Education, Social Studies Education, and Spanish Education.

The Graduate School offers the Master of Arts in Teaching Degree in Elementary Education (1-5), Secondary Education (6-12), Elementary Education (1-5), Secondary Education (6-12), and Levels (K-12); the Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, and Educational Technology Leadership.

Curriculum and Instruction also offers a 60 credit hour educational doctorate online. The Doctor of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction facilitates additional career opportunities for teachers, administrators, and healthcare professionals in a variety of educational settings.

The Doctor of Education programs are designed for K-12 personnel, higher education, and healthcare professional educators, including teachers and administrators. The primary goal of the doctoral programs is the preparation of practitioner-scholars and researchers for roles in elementary, secondary, and higher educational settings.

Admission Requirements

1. Admission With Distinction
   Students granted honors admission into the University will be granted immediate entry into their chosen degree programs.
2. Provisional and Regular Admission
   Students in these categories must meet the following requirements before being granted entry into their chosen degree programs:
   1. Satisfactory completion of any required developmental courses;
   2. Successful completion of ENGL 1001  and ENGL 1002  or their equivalents with minimum grades of “C”, or passage of a comprehensive English usage test; and
   3. Satisfactory completion of all special admission requirements of the intended major field of study.
      
      Students in provisional and regular admission status may not enroll in courses numbered 3000 or above until they have completed developmental and freshman requirements.

All transfer students must meet the above requirements for formal admission to degree status. Students must be admitted at least one semester (or summer term) prior to the semester in which they intend to receive their degree.

Core Curriculum

Minimum required for all baccalaureate programs in the School of Education include the following core of general education requirements: English - 6-12 hours; Mathematics - 6 hours; Science - 12 hours; Social Science - 6-12 hours; Arts Elective - 3 hours; Computer Literacy - 3 hours. Teacher Education candidates must complete general education requirements with minimum grades of “C” in all coursework.

Instructional Technology Requirement

Successful completion of CURR 2085 , 3 hours, with a grade of “C” or better, is required in all degree programs in the School of Education. This course meets general education requirements and requirements for the Board of Regents Certificate of Excellence.

Council for Teacher Education

The development and maintenance of teacher education programs are important functions of the University of Louisiana at Monroe. The major responsibility in operating adequate programs is the particular interest of the School of Education; however, other schools have special interests and responsibilities in the effective execution of the best possible teacher education programs.

PURPOSES OF THE COUNCIL. The general purposes of the Council for Teacher Education are:

1. To formulate and recommend policies relating to criteria considered essential to an outstanding teacher education program.
2. To develop and recommend policies relative to implementation of (a) selective recruitment, (b) selective admission and retention, (c) advisement, (d) curricula, and (e) laboratory experiences.
3. To study, encourage and facilitate co-operative development of programs for teacher preparation.
4. To review teacher education programs presented to the State Department of Education and accrediting agencies.
5. To initiate research and promote studies designed to improve teacher education.

Admission to Teacher Education Majors

Candidates seeking a degree in a teacher education program must meet the admission requirements of the College.

Teacher Education Program Admission

Application for admission to a Teacher Education program should be made during the first semester following the completion of 30 semester hours and before completing 90 hours. Students with a felony conviction will not be admitted to Teacher Education.

Transfer students from other programs of the University and other colleges and universities who have completed thirty or more applicable semester hours should make formal application to Teacher Education during their first semester of enrollment. Conditional admission may be granted transfer students by the Director of the School of Education during the first semester if requirements are obviously met. Students who have completed the Associate Degree in Teacher Education from an approved community college can transfer 60 hours of credit and be accepted into Teacher Education.

Requirements for admission and retention are:

1. Completion of not more than 90 semester hours, with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, last grade counted.
2. Presentation of passing scores on Academic Skills tests in Reading, Writing, and Math (PRAXIS I) or a composite of 22 on the ACT. Information concerning registration for the exams can be obtained online at the Educational Testing Service website.
3. Completion of all developmental courses as required.
4. Successful completion of ENGL 1001  and ENGL 1002  or their equivalents with minimum grades of “C”.
5. Successful completion of required six hour Math sequence appropriate to degree program with grades of “C” or better.
6. Completion of 20 clock hours of preliminary laboratory experiences as directed in CURR 2001 or KINS 2011 .

Applications for admission to a teacher education program are reviewed by the College’s Undergraduate Review Committee. This Committee is composed of faculty members and students whose function is to screen applications for admission.

Students whose status at the completion of 90 semester hours of university work is such that admission requirements are not met will be denied further enrollment in teacher education.

Application forms for admission to teacher education may be obtained in the Center for Teacher Certification.

Professional Courses

Any student in the University may enroll in Educational Foundations 2001, the introductory course. Courses must be taken in the sophomore, junior, and senior sequence; materials and methods courses should be scheduled immediately prior to student teaching. A student must meet requirements for admission to a teacher education program to schedule:

Program of Field Experiences

All persons pursuing a degree in teacher education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe are required to be involved in a comprehensive program of structured, systematic field experiences, beginning with visitation and observation during enrollment in CURR 2001  or KINS 2011  and progressing to intense involvement in the senior year.

ULM teacher candidates are required to present documentation of liability insurance coverage when enrolled in a course that requires observation and/or teaching at a school site.

Student Teaching

Supervised student teaching is offered in selected schools in the Ouachita Parish and Monroe City School Systems. Other area systems are involved as needed.

Education majors schedule student teaching on an all-day basis, five days per week, for one semester. Candidates are allowed to register for no more than one three-credit hour course during the semester in which they are student teaching. Special permission to enroll in more than one course must be granted by the School Director.

An application for student teaching should be filed with the Coordinator of Field Experiences and Teacher Candidacy during the first four weeks of the semester prior to the semester during which student teaching is to be scheduled. Prerequisites for student teaching are:

1. Admission to teacher education.
2. Passing scores on all parts of PRAXIS I (or a composite of 22 on the ACT) and PRAXIS II (effective August 1, 2002).
3. Completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of acceptable university work in a teacher education curriculum.
4. A minimum average of 2.5 in the major and minor fields.
5. No grade below “C” in any course counting toward the completion of the teacher education degree.
6. An average of 2.5 on all work counting toward the completion of the teacher education degree.
7. Completion of appropriate materials and methods course(s).
8. Completion of twenty (20) hours observation with assigned classroom supervisor.
9. CPR Certification or completion of KINS 2001 as prerequisite.

Student teaching application forms are submitted to the Coordinator of Field Experiences and Teacher Candidacy for approval or disapproval.

Requirements for Graduation from a Teacher Education Program

The candidate must meet all eligibility requirements for teacher certification in Louisiana, which include a 2.5 grade point average on all work toward the degree, grades of “C” or better in all courses counting toward the degree, and passing scores on all applicable portions of PRAXIS I (or a composite of 22 on the ACT) and PRAXIS II, effective Fall 1997. The candidate must also file an application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office at the beginning of the semester in which he/she plans to graduate.

Requirements for Louisiana Teaching Certification

The candidate must meet all eligibility requirements for Louisiana teacher certification before graduation. In order for a person to be granted a Louisiana Teaching Certificate upon graduation, there must be an overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in all work to be credited toward a degree from an approved teacher education program. There must be no grade below “C” in any professional education course, psychology course, the teaching major or minor, or in specialized academic education, or general education courses.

Certification requirements are specified by the State Legislature and/or the Board for Elementary & Secondary Education and coordinated by the State Department of Education. These requirements are subject to periodic modification which may not occur at times appropriate for inclusion in the annual publication of the University catalog. It is the responsibility of the students to make periodic checks for such changes with their academic advisers and/or department heads.

In order to be certified to teach in Louisiana, a person must present passing scores on all required parts of PRAXIS I (or a composite of 22 on the ACT) and II as prescribed by the State Department of Education.

Praxis

Persons expecting to earn the Bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in a teaching field must meet all eligibility requirements for Louisiana teacher certification, which include passing all parts of PRAXIS I (or a composite of 22 on the ACT) and PRAXIS II. The examinations are administered on the ULM campus. Teacher candidates should confer with their advisers in preparation for the examinations.

To be admitted to student teaching, candidates must meet all other requirements for Louisiana certification, and submit satisfactory scores on the PRAXIS I (or a composite of 22 on the ACT) and II. Please request original scores to be sent to ULM each time the tests are taken to expedite the application for certification. Additional information regarding PRAXIS requirements is available in the Center for Teacher Certification. Registration forms are available online at the Educational Testing Service website. Study guides are on reserve in the library.