Department of Education

The Department of Education, in cooperation with the other University departments and through its own curriculum development, implements professional career preparation programs in teaching, including Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary, and Special Education. Through these programs, it provides for the spiritual, intellectual, cultural, physical, and emotional development of the Christian educator--one who is dedicated to the improvement of and service to the student and local and world communities.

DEPARTMENT THEME: "Caring, Committed, Competent Educators Shape the Future"

Accreditation

All Teacher Education Programs at Evangel University are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE: now functioning as CAEP) and are approved by the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Conceptual Framework of the Teacher Education Programs

1. Academic Preparation: An educator is academically prepared in the following areas:
   1. General Education: The prospective educator explores new areas of interest, broadens his or her intellectual background, and integrates areas of knowledge through the understanding of similarities and differences in various fields of study.
   2. Pedagogy: An effective educator demonstrates appropriate pedagogical competencies involved in planning, using resources, utilizing time, maintaining a behavior management plan, providing a safe and positive learning environment, demonstrating sensitivity to differences, communicating effectively, using effective teaching strategies, and using appropriate assessment techniques.
   3. Content Area: An effective educator has expertise in one (or more) specific content area(s).
2. Professionalism: An educator is a positive role model, acts in ways that respect the values of the subject matter and students he or she teaches, and demonstrates high ethical standards as a professional.
3. Wellness: An educator demonstrates a lifestyle that evidences physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual wellness.
4. Cultural Competence: An educator exhibits a knowledge and an appreciation for diversity and possesses social awareness and compassion for human need.

THE TEACHER EDUCATION GRADUATE OF EVANGEL EXHIBITS THE FOLLOWING:

1. Has enthusiasm for the discipline
2. Appreciates multiple perspectives
3. Appreciates and respects diversity and individuality and believes that all students can learn
4. Is prepared for class
5. Is a thoughtful and responsive listener
6. Recognizes professional responsibility to engage in appropriate professional practices and development
7. Respects privacy and confidentiality
8. Is a life-long learner committed to continuous learning
9. Is sensitive to community
10. Is willing to give and receive help and is willing to work with others
11. Makes others feel valued
12. Encourages and supports colleagues

THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK OF THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM ENCOMPASSES THE FOLLOWING MISSOURI STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS:

1. The teacher understands the central concepts, structures, and tools of inquiry of the discipline(s) and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful and engaging for all students.
2. The teacher understands how students learn, develop and differ in their approaches to learning. The teacher provides learning opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners and support the intellectual, social, and personal development of all students.
3. The teacher recognizes the importance of long-range planning and curriculum development. The teacher develops, implements, and evaluates curriculum based upon standards and student needs.
4. The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills including instructional resources.
5. The teacher uses an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning envirnoment that encourages active engagement in learning, positive social interaction, and self-motivation.
6. The teacher models effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques with students and parents to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
7. The teacher understands and uses formative and summative assessment strategies to assess the learner's progress, uses assessment data to plan ongoing instruction, monitors the performance of each student, and devises instruction to enable students to grow and develop.
8. The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually assesses the effects of choices and actions on others. The teacher actively seeks out the opportunities to grow professionally in order to improve learning for all students.
9. The teacher has effective working relationships with students, parents, school colleagues, and community members.

Education Department Programs

The Department of Education offers teacher preparation programs leading to certification in the following areas:

Early Childhood Education/Elementary - Birth-Grade 6
Elementary Education - Grades 1-6
Elementary/Middle School - Grades 1-6 and 5-9
Special Education/Mild Moderate Cross Categorical Disabilities - K-12
Middle School Education - Grades 5-9
Middle School/Secondary - Grades 5-12
- Language Arts (English)
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Business
Secondary Education – Grades 9-12 
- Biology
- Business
- Chemistry
- Journalism                                                                                                                                                                 - Theatre/Speech
- English
- Mathematics
- Social Sciences
-K-12 Programs
- Art
- French
- Music Education 
- Physical Education
- Spanish
- TESOL

Admission To Teacher Education

The Teacher Education Program consists of the following five benchmarks/levels of assessment: Entry level, Mid-program level I, Mid-program level II, Exit level and licensure, and post-graduation level.  Students must meet specific requirements at each level.

Students are monitored before enrolling in EDUC 225 (Introduction to Curriculum and Instructional Planning) and EDUC 220, the first field experience. Advisors are directed to check that a student has a cumulative GPA of 2.75 before approving his or her registration in the course. During this course, application to the program is completed. At the end of the course, students are granted initial admission to the program if they meet the criteria listed below. Exceptions can be made for registration in EDUC 225 and 220 if appeal is made to the Education Department Chair. However, full admittance to the program is not granted until all requirements are met.

Students transferring in more than 45 hours will be granted provisional status in the education department during their first semester at Evangel providing the incoming GPA is 2.75 or above and the student has a course equivalent to EDUC 225.  The transfer student will need to take the state required tests, complete and submit an application to the education program, and review the Education Department Handbook within the first semester of transfer to Evangel.  The Standards and Approval committee will review the application during the first semester at Evangel and update the student status in the Education Department.

I. Entry Level - Provisional Admittance

A. Criteria for Provisional Admittance
The student must

1. Achieve a 2.75 or above cumulative grade point average. 
2. Achieve a minimum grade of B in EDUC 220-Level I Field Experience.
3. Obtain a satisfactory recommendation from the cooperating teacher for EDUC 220
   (practica evaluation).
4. Have completed a plan of his or her major teaching field program(s) in cooperation with the advisor. A copy of the plan is to be kept by the applicant and by the advisor.
5. Secure satisfactory recommendations from the faculty advisor.
6. Obtain a satisfactory recommendation from the Vice President for Student Development.
7. Complete state required tests for entry into the program.
8. Successfully complete/pass a background check.
9. Complete the Missouri Educator Profile (MEP) Assessment

B. How to Make Application

Application for provisional admittance to teacher education is made in EDUC 225-Introduction to Curriculum and Instructional Planning. This class is prerequisite to all teacher certification courses unless an equivalent course has been transferred from another college. Applications for admittance are available in the Department of Education office.

Transfer students who have previously completed courses equivalent to EDUC 225-Introduction to Curriculum and Instructional Planning and EDUC 220-Level I Field Experience should apply for admission immediately. Transfer students should note that a minimum grade of B in the course EDUC 220-Level I Field Experience or its equivalent is required for admittance to the teacher education program. Junior transfers with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 will be permitted to enroll provisionally in teacher education courses for one semester to give the Teacher Education Committee on Standards and Approval time to process the application. Transfer students should complete the state required tests early in the first semester of residence at Evangel.

All Education major transfer students must plan to complete at least three semesters at the University. Two semesters are required to meet the minimum 30-credit-hour residency requirement for a degree before one can enroll for the third semester (student teaching). No more than 50 percent of the professional education courses will be accepted in transfer.

C. Action of the Teacher Education Committee on Standards and Approval

The Teacher Education Committee on Standards and Approval acts on the data collected about candidates relating to their qualification for admission. When the student first makes application, three statuses are possible: 1) approval, which indicates the student has not only met the requirements listed above but also has met the mid-program level requirements (see below); 2) provisional approval, which indicates the student may enroll in teacher education courses, and 3) denial of approval, which indicates that deficiencies exist which prevent approval. Students may reapply after one semester when the deficiencies are removed. Deficiencies may be removed by retaking state required tests, retaking a practicum, or raising the GPA.  Any exceptions to these guidelines require written approval of the Education Department Chair.

II. Mid Program Level I - Admittance to Teacher Education

Upon completion of EDUC 225 and 220, candidates are placed in the program as approved or provisionally accepted. Provisional acceptance is assigned to students who have passed at least three parts of the state required competency tests or who have not met all other requirements. Full admittance is granted if all of the following criteria are met. The Education Department Office staff, the Education Department Chair, and advisors regularly monitor denied or provisionally accepted students. Status records are updated at the end of each semester and available to all advisors.

A. Criteria for Admittance or Continuance in Program

The student must

1. Have been provisionally or fully admitted to Teacher Education.
2. Maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average.
3. Have passed English proficiency exam.
4. Achieve a grade of A or B in all practica.
5. Secure a satisfactory recommendation from the faculty advisor, Education Department Chair and the Vice President for Student Development.
6. Have satisfactory recommendations from all public school supervising teachers of practica (practica evaluations). 
7. Have satisfactory recommendations from all university supervisors of practica.
8. Meet all assessment checkpoints satisfactorily.
9. Have passed all parts of state required competency tests.

B. Action of the Teacher Education Committee on Standards and Approval

The Teacher Education Committee on Standards and Approval acts on the data collected about candidates relating to their qualification for admission. Three statuses are possible: 1) approval, which indicates that all criteria are satisfactory, 2) continued provisional approval, which indicates that some deficiencies are present and the applicant may have until the end of the junior year to clear up the deficiencies (he or she may enroll in teacher education courses), or 3) denial of approval, which indicates that deficiencies prevent the student's proceeding in the program. Students may choose to reapply when deficiencies are removed by raising the GPA, retaking the state required tests, retaking a practicum, or completing or retaking the required math or composition course.

III. Mid Program Level II - Prior to Student Teaching

A. Criteria for Admittance

1. Have a 2.75 cumulative GPA by the end of the semester prior to application (as of the 2017-2018 catalog).
2. Have a 3.0 GPA in the content area certification and a 3.0 GPA in Professional Education courses, with no Education course grade lower than a C-.
3. Have removed all deficiencies if he or she was provisionally accepted into the Teacher Education Program.
4. Have maintained good character and demonstrated appropriate professional growth as evidenced by practicum evaluations and dispositions checklist.
5. Have the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of one's major.
6. Have completed a total of 92 semester credits.
7. Have completed all General Methods and Specialty Methods coursework prior to student teaching.
8. Have completed all the required courses in the chosen major.
9. Have been approved admittance to student teaching by the Teacher Education Committee on Standards and Approval. 
10. Have achieved a grade of A or B in all practica.
11. Have taken all appropriate state required content assessments.

The Student may reapply for student teaching after completing required courses and/or retaking required courses.

B. Procedure for Making Application for Student Teaching

1. Application forms are available in the Education office. These forms must be turned in by February 1st prior to the year of student teaching.
2. After completion, the application forms must be turned in to the Department of Education office. The application forms include 1) a cover letter and resume, 2) the appropriate degree program sheet signed by the Chair of the major department and the student's advisor, 3) a recent picture of a good quality.
3. Each student is required to obtain substitute certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
4. Placement for student teaching outside of a 50 mile radius of Evangel University is not permitted unless significant extenuating circumstances exist.  Students who believe a significant extenuating circumstance exists should contact their academic advisor to review the process necessary to request an exception. A request must be submitted by February 1, with the student teaching application.

C. Action of the Committee on Standards and Approval

Applicants for admission to student teaching are notified in writing as to the action of the Teacher Education Committee on Standards and Approval. The applicant is either approved or denied. In case of denial, reasons or deficiencies are specified. If these are remedied, the student may re-apply when reasons or deficiences are resolved.

An applicant who wishes to appeal the decision of the Committee on Standards and Approval may do so in writing. This appeal shall be filed with the Chair of the Department of Education and presented to the Teacher Education Committee for review.  Appeals to the decision of the Teacher Education Committee may be filed with the Vice President for Academic Affairs.   

If a student is approved for student teaching, the Department of Education will assign placement and inform the student of the assignment. The cooperating teacher and the school principal receive copies of the student's credentials.

A non-Evangel graduate wishing to be certified for teaching must

1. Complete 15 semester hours at the University, after which he or she will be processed for admission to the Teacher Education Program using the criteria required of all Evangel students.
2. Have graduated from an accredited college. 
3. Complete an individual program of coursework identified to meet state requirements. 

IV.  Exit Level - Program Completion

A. Criteria for Exit Level - Program Completion - Teacher Licensure
The student must

1. Have achieved a grade of A or B in student teaching.
2. Have completed all courses required for the degree and for teacher certification.
3. Have completed a state required content assessment.
4. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above and a GPA of 3.0 or above in the content area certification and in professional education courses.
5. Have no grade below C- in any Education course.
6. Have completed a program evaluation.
7. Have completed a follow-up self-evaluation.
8. Have completed a State of Missouri background check.
9. Have completed required assessments during student teaching.

Students are considered to have completed the program with the fulfillment of all of the above criteria.

B. Criteria for licensure
The student must

1. Have a passing score on the appropriate state required content assessments.
2. Have passed the background check administered through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the State of Missouri.
3. Have been granted a Bachelor's degree by the University.
4. Received a passing score on all parts of the Missouri Pre Service Teacher Assessment (MoPTA).

RECOMMENDATION FOR CERTIFICATION

Final recommendation for certification in the State of Missouri is determined by satisfactory completion of college course work required for graduation and certification.

Content Assessment - All students are required to take the Missouri Content Assessment in the specialty area (see Criteria for Licensure) and achieve the mandated score before receiving recommendation for certification.

V. Post Graduation Level

The following assessments are administered to graduates of an Education program and their employers/supervisors one year after the students' completion of the program:

1. Graduate Evaluation
2. Employer Evaluation (sent to principal or employer)

Elementary Education

General Requirements for Elementary Education Majors

The Elementary Education major who takes the required 8 credits in natural science, 5 credits in mathematics, and 3 credits in geography automatically meets the Bachelor of Science degree requirements of Evangel University. Elementary Education majors who want the Bachelor of Arts degree must include two semesters of a foreign language (or the equivalent as demonstrated by proficiency testing) in addition to the mathematics, science, and geography requirements. The science requirements must include one course in physical or earth science and one course in a biological science with both courses having laboratory components. The 5 credits of mathematics are met by MATH 120 and MATH 121. 

Elementary Education majors must complete English Composition at the COMM 205 level.  If the student tests into COMM 205, he or she need take only COMM 205 to meet the English Composition requirement.  

Other General Education (Core Curriculum) requirements are identified on the Elementary Educatin degree sheet.

Professional Education requirements for Elementary Majors 

Elementary Education

Professional Requirements

Field and Clinical Experiences

Elementary School Special Courses

 Area of Emphasis

Each Elementary Education major must have a total of at least 21 credits in a specialized area.  Courses taken as part of the General Education (Core Curriculum) and basic requirements may, in some instances, be counted for this purpose.  For Elementary Educatin majors, this area of emphasis may be selected from any minor listed in the catalog.  If the catalog minor requires only 18 credits, the student may select 3 hours of electives in the monor area.

Middle School Concentration

Elementary Education majors may also complete a concentration in Middle School Education. 

Middle School teaching candidates are required to complete the General Education (Core Curriculum) requirements.  Specific courses are outlined in the Core Curriculum section of the catalog and on degree sheets.

Early Childhood Education

Completion of the Early Childhood Education comprehensive major certificates one in early childhood (Birth-Grade 3) and in elementary (grades 1-6). With this comprehensive major, a minor or area of emphasis is not required. (Refer to the section on Elementary Education for information on general requirements.)

Professional Education Requirements for Early Childhood Majors 

Early Childhood Education

Professional Requirements

Field and Clinical Experiences

Special Education

Evangel University offers a Special Education/Cross-Categorical Disabilities minor including Learning Disabilities, Emotional/Behavioral Disabilities, Cognitive Disabilities, and Physical and Other Health Impaired. All students minoring in Special Education must also major in Elementary Education or Secondary Education.  

Professional Education Requirements for Special Education Minors

Mild/Moderate Cross-Categorical Disabilities

Professional Requirements

Field and Clinical Experiences

Special Education Minors

Following graduation, students electing to minor in Special Education will make application to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for certification in Cross-Categorical Disabilities K-12.

Middle School Education

Middle School certification is available at Evangel University in three program options:

(a) Elementary/Middle School Education (Certification Grades 1-6 and 5-9)

Students majoring in Elementary/Middle School Education must complete the required professional education courses listed below as well as one of the content area options.*

(b) Middle School/Secondary Education (Certification Grades 5-12)

A student majoring in a content area and seeking middle school certification should complete his or her content area major in Business, English, Math, Science, or Social Studies, plus the required professional education courses listed below. A subject area minor is not required.

(c) Middle School Only (Certification Grades 5-9)

Students must choose two of the content area options* plus the required professional education courses.

*Content Area Options: Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Math, Business (see concentrations listed below).

Professional Education Requirements for Middle School

Middle School Education

Professional Requirements

Field and Clinical Experiences

*One of these practica must be completed at the middle school level. A student should choose the practicum in his or her area of middle school certification.  Content area choices:  (Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Math, Business (see concentrations catalog).

General Education for Middle School Programs

Middle School teaching candidates are required to complete the General Education (Core Curriculum) requirements. Specific courses are outlined in the Core Curriculum section of the catalog and on degree sheets.

Middle School Concentrations

Middle School Concentration

24-Hour Social Science Concentration

Middle School Concentration

24-Hour Science Concentration

Middle School Concentration

24-Hour Math Concentration

Middle School Concentration

24-Hour Language Arts Concentration

Middle School Concentration

21-Hour Business Concentration

*A student seeking grades 5-12 certification must complete the major in that area (Social Studies, English, Math, Biology, Chemistry, or Business).

Secondary Education

Secondary school teaching candidates are required to complete the General Education (Core Curriculum) requirements.  Specific courses are outlined in the Core Curriculum section of the catalog and on degree sheets. 

Secondary Education students are required to major in an academic field taught in the public schools and certified by the State of Missouri (art, music, biology, chemistry, English, social sciences, journalism, mathematics, French, Spanish, speech/theatre, business, and physical education). Such majors are also required to have a minor in a related field and completion of the following professional Education courses:

Secondary Education

Professional Requirements

Field and Clinical Experiences

TESOL Minor

Teaching English as a Second Language

Education Courses (EDUC)