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Education

Associate Professor Cynthia Gardner, Chair, Division of Education and Director of Educator Preparation, Director of the Graduate Program, and MAT Program Coordinator Educator Preparation

The Division of Education at Maryville College has a long and proud tradition of preparing educators who demonstrate and promote excellence in teaching and learning.

The Educator Preparation Program develops teachers who demonstrate:

  1. The influence of a broad liberal arts education.
  2. The ability to solve the many theoretical, practical, and ethical problems associated with who to teach, what to teach, and how best to teach.
  3. An understanding of the learning process, and the skills to design instruction appropriate for diverse student populations.
  4. The skills needed to analyze and implement the instructional process.
  5. The ability to effectively integrate technology into the instructional process; and
  6. A commitment to personal and professional growth.

The Division of Education houses the Elementary Education degree for K-5 licensure and works across multiple departments to provide licensure in various P/K-12 and 6-12 areas. The Educator Preparation Program at Maryville College is continually refined to meet the State of Tennessee’s licensure requirements for teachers. As a result, modifications in programs and curriculum may occur. Those interested in becoming a teacher should meet with an advisor in the Educator Preparation Program as soon as possible. Secondary and P/K-12 licensure candidates are co-advised by an advisor in the major and an advisor in the educator preparation program. Students are encouraged to discuss the educator preparation program and teacher licensure requirements with their advisors on a regular basis since the Tennessee State Board of Education may act on teacher licensure matters not addressed in the Catalog. The program culminates with a clinical experience (student teaching) consisting of 15 weeks of full-day responsibilities. Students are encouraged to pass the required specialty area content assessments before they are assigned to student teaching.

Educator Preparation Professional Characteristics

It is the responsibility of all students seeking teacher licensure to develop and maintain professional behaviors, characteristics, and dispositions that are associated with professional educators. These essential dispositions include self-regulation, grooming/appearance, relationships, professionalism, cultural awareness, integrity, affect, respect, communication, and reflection. Candidates are expected to demonstrate essential dispositions throughout the program of study not only in coursework, teaching practice, professional activities, and student teaching, but also in personal interactions with students, families, colleagues, and communities. In addition to the above, the Tennessee State Board of Education requires candidates to be aware of the Tennessee Teacher Code of Ethics that outlines behaviors that will result in the dismissal and revocation of the teaching license.

Testing Requirement

The Tennessee State Board of Education requires all students entering an educator preparation program to successfully pass at least one of three tests:

–ACT score of at least 21

–SAT score of at least 1080

–Praxis Core (reading-156; writing-162; mathematics-150)

Students should plan to take one of these three tests no later than the conclusion of the freshman year. There is a fee associated with each test that must be paid by the student. See the Administrative Assistant in the Education Division for information about testing.

Screening

Students enrolled in an undergraduate program leading to initial teacher licensure must meet specific requirements to enter and progress through the Educator Preparation Program. Educator preparation candidacy is determined at two points within the curriculum: (1) Level I Screening (sophomore year) and (2) Level II Screening (junior year). The progression for each level is explained below:

Students enrolled in Elementary Education (K-5):

Level I Screening – Initial entry into the Educator Preparation Program (Provisional Status)

Level I screening is held spring of the sophomore year. Requirements for acceptance are:

Part I:

  1. 2.75+ overall GPA with no more than 4 semester hours below a "C-"
  2. Qualifying score on ACT, SAT, or all 3 subtests of Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators
  3. Completion of EDU 201
  4. Completion of EDU 200
  5. “At target” Professional Dispositions
  6. Formal Application
    1. Personal information
    2. Self-evaluation
    3. Professional references
    4. Statement of professional goals
    5. Current TBI background check

Part II:

Students must successfully complete an interview occurring early to mid-February. The interview consists of

  1. A teaching task (student plans and teaches a simple task to the interview team) and
  2. An oral interview

Additional Endorsements

All candidates seeking initial endorsement in K-12, P-12, or secondary grades 6-12 areas of licensure should review the TN Educator Licensure Policy 5.502a as it applies to adding additional areas of endorsements. See Tennessee Department of Education Operating Procedures for more information: Candidate Guidance for Additional Endorsements.

Post-Baccalaureate Program for Initial Teacher Licensure

The Post-Baccalaureate for Initial Teacher Licensure program is designed for those holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited 4-year college or university who wish to obtain initial licensure. The Post-Baccalaureate program consists of a core of professional courses (approximately 38 credit hours; may require additional hours depending on major) that include one full semester of student teaching.

Admission to the post-baccalaureate program requires the following:

  1. Bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited 4-year IHE in the same (or similar) content to the specialty area;
  2. Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 from a completed baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree program or a GPA of 3.00 in the most recent sixty hours earned at a regionally accredited IHE;
  3. Qualifying score(s) on the required content assessment as defined in the State Board’s Assessments for Tennessee Educators Policy; and
  4. Successful completion of Level I screening.

Maryville College offers a Post-Baccalaureate Program for educator preparation in the following areas:

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Elementary Education
  • English
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Vocal General Music
  • Instrumental General Music
  • Physical Education/Health
  • Spanish
  • Teaching English as a Second Language
  • Theatre Studies

Program Outcome Data Reports

Student outcome data related to the Maryville College Educator Preparation Program can be accessed on the College website.