Program Description
About the discipline
Beyond the goals of the Christian perspective in the liberal arts curriculum, the teacher certification program seeks to give its students a grasp of key concepts and skills of teaching, based on psychological and sociological principles applied to the theory and practice of educational techniques. The School of Education (SOE) has identified its "Effective Teaching Model" with six integrated components anchored in and emerging from the Spring Arbor University Concept. Each component represents one of the six domains for effective teaching.
Career opportunities
Elementary certification covers K-5 all subjects and, if the student chooses and is eligible, grades six, seven, and eight in the candidate’s major or minor disciplines. Secondary certification covers grades six through twelve in the candidate’s major and minor disciplines. Available K-12 endorsements for elementary candidates are Exercise and Sport Science, Special Education: Learning Disabilities and Music (sunset date for the completion of all graduation requirements for this K-12 major on an elementary certificate is June 30, 2010. See Music section for details. Available K-12 endorsements for secondary candidates are Visual Arts Education, Exercise and Sport Science, Special Education: Learning Disabilities, Music (sunset date for the completion of all graduation requirements for this K-12 major on a secondary certificate is June 30, 2010. See Music section for details — the new JQ major is pending approval.
Program strengths and emphases
The School of Education at Spring Arbor University is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), 2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C., 20036. This accreditation includes the undergraduate and graduate levels of professional education programs offered at Spring Arbor University. The program complies with the U.S. Department of Education Title II, Section 207 reporting procedures. Copies of the report are available upon request to the School of Education office.
Spring Arbor University is a member of the Consortium for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching with Technology (COATT), a partnership of higher education and K-12 institutions that is committed to promoting and recognizing excellence in teaching with technology. Student teachers and practicing teachers may apply for the Michigan Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Teaching with Technology (MCOATT) through Spring Arbor University.
The program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education for certification in Michigan. Students planning to be certified in other states should consult with the Certification Officer in the School of Education office early in the program. Spring Arbor University School of Education student teachers and graduates have recently been recognized by state and national organizations for teaching excellence.
Students desiring Michigan certification are responsible for meeting all certification requirements of the Michigan Department of Education and the State Board of Education, whether or not they are explicitly stated in this catalog.
The School of Education policies apply to all Spring Arbor University sites. However, procedures for carrying out certain policies may vary from site to site. Stated semester of class offerings in this catalog are applicable to the main campus only. Certain certifiable majors and minors are available at the main campus only. A student wishing to participate in these majors and minors must register, attend classes and become a student at the main campus.
Disclosure of criminal record
In many Spring Arbor University Education courses, students are required to complete classroom observation hours in P-12 schools. It is every student’s responsibility to complete and submit a Conviction Disclosure form (regarding misdemeanor or felony convictions, as well as pending charges, prior to entering P-12 schools for classroom observations or on-site work of any kind).
The Conviction Disclosure form is required through participation in EDU 100, EDU 200, and the School of Education Orientation Session. Completion of this form will be done during these times.
Students who waive or transfer in EDU 100, EDU 200 or have not yet attended a School of Education Orientation Session need to be aware that it is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit the Conviction Disclosure form prior to taking part in any on-site P-12 classroom observation experiences.
If the student plans to participate in observation experiences prior to completing the aforementioned form in EDU 100, 200 or the SOE Orientation Session, it is the student’s responsibility to acquire the Conviction Disclosure form from the School of Education front desk (or from the TESA at off-site locations). The completed form must be submitted to the School of Education front desk or the TESA at off-site locations prior to commencing any observation experience.
Admission to the School of Education
The standards for admission to the School of Education include those for admission to Spring Arbor University as well as other criteria as specified by the School of Education. Admission to the School of Education is determined by two-thirds vote of the education faculty present at the meeting at which the candidate is considered. Other than specific required courses, there are policies, procedures, important time lines, prerequisites and requirements contained in the School of Education Student Handbook which must be met. It is the student’s responsibility to follow these guidelines. Current handbooks are available through the School of Education Office. The student is held accountable to these procedures under the handbook year in which he/she submits a signed School of Education application to the School of Education Office. Course requirements must be met under the student’s catalog of entry to Spring Arbor University. Michigan Department of Education Administrative Rules, state laws and changes in requirements of accreditation bodies such as NCATE, supersede any requirements printed in the university catalog or SOE Student Handbook.