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2012-2013 Academic Catalog and Handbook

Teacher Education Department

The teacher education program at George Fox University is designed to prepare teachers for careers in public and private schools through a curriculum that builds on a broad foundation in Christian liberal arts education through specialization in elementary education with methods, clinical studies in teaching, and learning theory. Teacher education and licensure in Oregon operates under the approved program approach. Teaching licenses are issued to qualified applicants who have completed a teacher education program approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), and who are able to satisfy other state requirements in effect at the time they complete graduation requirements and apply for a teaching license.

George Fox University is approved by the TSPC to offer initial licensure for early childhood and elementary education.

Secondary Education

The music education program is the only undergraduate program at George Fox University designed for the preparation of preK-12 teachers. Students who wish to teach content other than music at the secondary level complete a content major at the undergraduate level and prepare to enter a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Program to meet the requirements for the Initial Teaching License. Education department faculty and undergraduate faculty in the content major are able to advise the students regarding movement toward admission to the MAT program. Students are encouraged to take EDUC 250 Teaching as a Profession (2) designed to introduce the role of the secondary teacher in the educational system and to introduce the George Fox MAT program and admission process. (See the MAT program catalog listing for admission information and course descriptions.)

Admission to Teacher Education

Students wishing to explore or prepare to enter a teaching career at the early childhood and elementary levels or in music education should consult with a teacher education advisor early in their freshman year.

Students make formal application for admission to the teacher education program during the introductory education class, EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education (2), generally taken fall or spring of the sophomore year by elementary and music education majors. Students enrolled in EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education are required to submit fingerprints and sign the PA-1 Character Question Form as outlined by TSPC.

Admission to the program is based upon attainment of a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on all college-level courses, including transfer credits; passing scores on approved basic skills tests; acceptable recommendations; and exemplary social and moral behavior. In addition, an admission interview may also be conducted. Admission to the program is required before students may register for the professional education core courses. Continuation in teacher education is based on academic achievement and satisfactory evidence of characteristics needed for successful performance in the teaching profession. Students admitted to the programs are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on all college-level classes, including transfer credits; attain grades of C- or better on all teaching major and professional education classes; and receive satisfactory evaluations of performance in field experiences. Admitted elementary and music education students are subject to the policies contained in the Teacher Education Guidelines purchased when they take EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education.

Transfer Students in Elementary and Music Education

Any student transferring to George Fox University must meet the same requirements for admission as those who have entered the university as incoming freshmen. Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to the teacher education program. This application must be directed to the teacher education department when the student is in his/her first professional course, usually during the first semester at the university.

Residency Requirements

Elementary education majors must complete the following courses in residence at George Fox University:
EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education (2) (fingerprints and Character Question Form are required)
EDUC 313 Elementary Mathematics Methods (2)
EDUC 370 Curriculum and Instruction (3)
EDUC 375 Student Teaching I and Classroom Management (2)
EDUC 380 Social Studies Methods (2)
EDUC 383 Science Methods (2)
EDUC 401 Language Arts and Children's Literature (4)
EDUC 402 Literacy Methods (4)
EDUC 475 Student Teaching II (12)
EDUC 490 Senior Seminar (3)
MATH 211 Foundations of Elementary Mathematics I (3) and MATH 212 Foundations of Elementary Mathematics II (3) (exception: transfer of completed sequence of MATH 211, 212, 213)

Music education majors must complete the following courses in residence at George Fox University:
EDUC 240 Perspectives in Education (2) (fingerprints and Character Question Form are required)
EDUC 370 Curriculum and Instruction (3)
EDUC 375 Student Teaching I and Classroom Management (2)
EDUC 475 Student Teaching II (12)
EDUC 490 Senior Seminar (3)
MUSI 410 Elementary Music Methods (3)
MUSI 411 Middle Level and High School Music Methods (3)

A student transferring from a nonaccredited college will be granted conditional admission to the program until the student demonstrates ability by completing 12 semester hours in the university and the student's professional education courses with a GPA of 2.75 or better.

Special Students: Teaching Credential Only

Students holding college degrees who enroll at George Fox University for the purpose of qualifying for an Oregon Initial Teaching License must be advised by the chair of undergraduate teacher education prior to enrollment in courses and meet requirements for admission to teacher education.

Planning the Program

Students should plan to finish their general education requirements and some of their lower-level teaching major requirements during their first two years of college. Professional courses in education and the advanced teaching major course requirements should be completed during the last two years. Some of these courses, listed under Transfer Students in Education, must be taken in residence, and professional education courses must be taken before student teaching.

The Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission requires that candidates for teaching licenses have passed required standardized tests. These are taken by students in conjunction with their professional courses. Students must complete the bachelor's degree and meet all state requirements before being recommended for teaching licensure.

Waiver of Requirements

Students enrolled in the teacher education program who believe they have had experience or education that has provided the competencies certain courses and experiences in the program are designed to develop may request a waiver of that portion of the requirements. Waivers may be granted in writing by the chair of undergraduate teacher education on the basis of satisfactory evidence submitted by the student through one or more of these means:
  1. Examination and/or demonstration of competence. The student may demonstrate competence in written or verbal ways or in the execution of specific tasks.
  2. Experience. The student may request that recent directly related experiences be accepted in satisfaction for course work or field experience. The student is required to submit documentation to support this request.
  3. The student may request evaluation of other academic work completed satisfactorily to be granted equivalent credit.

Majors

The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Minor (offered by the Communication Arts Department) is also available. More information about the programs and faculty of the Undergraduate Teacher Education Department can be found on the Undergraduate Education Degree Program page.

English Language Institute

The English Language Institute (ELI) is a program within the Teacher Education Department. Additional information is available regarding ELI programs for international and immigrant students learning English as a second language.

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