Center for Adult Programs

Elementary or Early
Childhood Education

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 UM'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.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN
EARLY CHILDHOOD
OR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

PROSPECTIVE EDUCATORS PROGRAM. Adults enrolled in this program can complete a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and/or early childhood education by attending evening and Saturday classes. Requirements for “conditional admission” to Prospective Educators Program include the following: 1) application for conditional admission to the Teacher Education Program; 2) 48 hours of general studies completed toward basic core
requirements; 3) 2.75 GPA for all courses counted toward the major. Admission to the Teacher Education Program (“unconditional admission”) is required after completion of two academic periods (semesters) of teacher education classes (see below).

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. Please see
the appropriate section of the catalog.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students seeking the bachelor of science in early childhood and elementary education must complete the Basic Course (General Education) requirements of the University of Mobile (or have a “C” or better in transfer credits satisfying this set of core courses) as follows:

The following Teacher Education courses must be completed with a “C” or better:

Total hours required for graduation = 130-133

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF CLASSES FOR
PROSPECTIVE EDUCATORS PROGRAM

YEAR TWO

YEAR THREE

STUDENT TEACHING. 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.

EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS. Students in teacher education are encouraged to become active members of the University of Mobile Chapter of the Student Leaders Association of Teacher Educators (SLATE). This organization will help students in developing professional competency.

Upsilon Chi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi is a professional education honor society. Kappa Delta Pi recognizes outstanding students preparing to enter the teaching profession and those actively engaged in the teaching profession.

The University of Mobile Reading Council is open to all education students with a particular interest in promoting the dispersion of reading materials and generating a wider knowledge of techniques in teaching reading.

DEGREE PLAN FOR THE TEACHER EDUCATION STUDENTS. Students pursuing a degree from the University of Mobile in an approved area for teacher education must meet all requirements for the degree as well as for certification.

Requirements for the degree and certification will be reflected in a degree plan requested by the student in the registrar's office at the beginning of his or her junior year. Students must have an approved degree plan prior to student teaching.

TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL. It will be the responsibility of the Teacher Education Council to admit students to teacher education, to recommend programs of teacher education at the University of Mobile, to give guidance and support, and to promote and evaluate all aspects of the teacher education program.