Department of Early Childhood/Elementary Education

Program Listings

The Bachelor of Science degree is offered in early childhood and elementary education. The professional preparation sequence consists of knowledge and performance skills demonstrated in the areas of foundations, curriculum, media, evaluation, and teaching. Knowledge of and competency in theoretical foundations will be demonstrated through directed experiences in laboratory situations. The student may be required to challenge specified education courses. Course equivalency is determined by the vice president for academic affairs upon recommendation by the dean of the School of Education.

The general preparation sequence from the liberal arts includes study in the humanities, social sciences, natural and physical sciences, mathematics, and human performance and exercise science.

Students completing undergraduate certification programs in education must complete a comprehensive exit examination. Certain teacher education courses are offered only during one academic period (semester) each year.

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood or Elementary Education―Prospective Educators Program

Prospective Educators Program

Adults enrolled in this program can complete a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and/or early childhood education attending evening and Saturday classes. Requirements for admission to the Prospective Educators Program include the following: 1) application for admission to the Prospective Educators Program; 2) 48 hours of general studies completed toward basic core requirements; 3) 2.75 GPA for all courses counted toward the major; 4) minimum 2.50 GPA in all college courses. Students must earn a “C” or higher in all teacher education and teaching field courses.

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; 2) a minimum 2.75 GPA overall, in professional studies, and in teaching field with an overall 2.50 GPA in all college courses; 3) a current photograph; 4) an essay successfully completed prior to the interview; 5) an interview successfully completed; 6) application for Teacher Education; 7) passing the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP) and the appropriate Praxis II content knowledge test; 8) cleared fingerprints; 9) experience in schools.

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 No Child Left Behind standards.
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.
Passing the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP), the appropriate PRAXIS II Content Test, the PRAXIS II Teaching Reading Test and the appropriate Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) test are all pre-conditions for teacher certification in the state of Alabama.
Students must earn a “C” or higher in all teacher education and teaching field courses.

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 a minimum of 205 hours of approved field experience; 7) passing score on the Alabama Educator Certification Testing Program (AECTP); 8) passing score on all the appropriate Praxis II exams; and 9) successful completion of the professional teacher education courses. Students must earn a “C” or higher in all teacher education and teaching field 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.

Prior to admission to the teacher education program, students’ fingerprints must be submitted for approval. 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 Audit 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 will be reflected in a degree audit requested by the student in the registrar’s office at the beginning of his or her junior year. Students must have an approved degree audit prior to student teaching.

Teacher Education Council

It will be the responsibility of the Teacher Education Council to approve 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.

Programs

Major