Do you have a calling to make a difference in the lives of children through education? A Bachelor of Science in Elementary or Early Childhood Education from UMobile's School of Education can help you fulfill your dream in an enriching Christian environment. This course of study:

• Focuses on the developmental characteristics of young children and their learning styles
• Provides field-based experiences along with the methodology important for teaching young children
• Prepares students for state teacher certification in elementary or early childhood education

In addition to required coursework, student teaching hours are required for these degrees.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required and must be approved by the Teacher Education Council. Requirements for admission are:

1. completion of 60 semester hours (48 hours of core curriculum coursework);
2. a minimum 2.75 GPA overall, in professional studies, and in teaching field;
3. a current photograph;
4. an essay successfully completed prior to the interview;
5. an interview successfully completed;
6. recommendations from the adviser and a School of Education faculty member; and
7. passing the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test or the Basic Skills Test.

Admission Requirements for the Prospective Educators Program

Requirements for conditional admission to the first two academic periods (semesters) of teacher education classes:

1. Application for conditional admission to the Teacher Education Program.
2. 48 hours of general studies completed toward the basic core requirements.
3. 2.75 GPA for all courses counted toward the Elementary Education major.

NOTE: Unconditional admission to the program is required prior to continuing after completion of two academic periods (semesters). Please note the following:

• Upon admission to the Teacher Education Program, students are required to complete the current State Department of Education-approved programs, which meet federal “NCLB” standards.
• The appropriate Praxis II content exam, as well as the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test, must be successfully completed as a pre-condition for certification in the State of Alabama.
• Official admission into the Teacher Education Program is required prior to enrollment in restricted professional teacher education courses. Students who are admitted to the Teacher Education Program will be subject to ongoing evaluation.

Attendance Policy for the Prospective Educators Program in Early Childhood or Elementary Education
The School of Education adheres to the attendance policy of the Center for Adult Programs for students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Please see the appropriate section of the catalog.

This course sequence is provided as a sample only, and does not include basic core requirements. Individual schedules may vary. Students are required to complete a total of 130-133 hours for graduation. See the catalog for a list of Basic Course Requirements.

Prerequisites to student teaching and seminar include:

1. admission into teacher education;
2. a minimum 2.75 GPA overall, in professional studies, and in teaching field;
3. a completed application;
4. an autobiographical sketch;
5. approval by the Teacher Education Council;
6. satisfactory completion of 80 percent of the credit hours in the teaching field(s);
7. satisfactory completion of a minimum of 150 hours of approved field experience;
8. passing score on the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test;
9. passing score on the appropriate Praxis II content exam; and
10. successful completion of the professional teacher education courses.

During the student teaching academic period (semester), a student may take only one additional course unless the dean of the School of Education grants written approval to take other courses.

Upon completion of student teaching, students' fingerprints must be submitted with the application for a teaching certificate. The Alabama State Department of Education and the School of Education require that the applicant submit two sets of fingerprints with all new applications for a certificate. The fingerprints will be checked by the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If one has ever been “arrested for, convicted of, or entered a plea of no contest to a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation,” the record will be reviewed by the State Superintendent of the Department of Education prior to issuance of a teaching certificate.