Catalog 12-13.indd - McMurry University

students should delay such application until they have completed 12 hoursin the teaching fi eld, and one semester of work in residence at McMurry.All sections of the required tests listed on the Checklist for Qualifying fora Teaching Certifi cate must be passed, or proof of exemption provided,before any CI courses above 2110 are taken. The Education AdvisoryCouncil will review the student’s application and inform him/her whetherthe student has been admitted or denied admission.• Students who are denied admission to the program are precludedfrom enrolling in Curriculum and Instruction courses. Upon request,a student who has been denied admission to the program may bepermitted to appear before the Education Advisory Council to appealthe denial.• Failure to be admitted to the Teacher Education program or, if admitted,to complete the required course sequence in a timely manner willrequire the student to choose a different minor and a non-teachingfi eld major.• The applicant should understand that admission to the Teacher Educationprogram does not constitute assurance of certifi cation.ADMISSION TO STUDENT TEACHING OR TEACHINGINTERNSHIPThe state of Texas requires a minimum of 12 weeks of full time studentteaching. Student teaching and internship are the capstone courses in theTeacher Education ProgramCriteria for Admission:1. Evidence of freedom from serious mental and personality disordersor physical disabilities which would seriously impede effectiveness inthe classroom or employment as a classroom teacher. The EducationAdvisory Council may require that the student, at his or her ownexpense, take a physical examination and/or submit to a psychologicalevaluation, which may include tests or inventories. Suchevaluation must be completed and a report submitted to the Councilby a licensed mental health professional who is acceptable to theUniversity and who is aware of the Council’s concerns with regard tothe candidate’s admission to student teaching or teaching internship.Students will not be admitted to student teaching or teaching internshipuntil the evaluation results are made available to and reviewedby the Council and a fi nal decision is made by the Education AdvisoryCouncil. Failure to comply with this process may result in non-admissionto or dismissal from student teaching or teaching internship.2. No pattern of serious, documented behavioral problems as evidencedby a departmental review of the student’s fi le.3. Ability to meet general requirements for the standard teachingcertifi cate, as stated in the “Requirements of the State Board forEducator Certifi cation (SBEC) for Provisional Certifi cate” section ofthis catalog.4. For student teaching: completion of 110 semester hours. For internship:a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 120 credit hours.5. Overall grade point average of 2.75 or higher.6. Grade point average of 2.75 or higher with no grade below “C” inany course listed under the degree requirements for the teachingcertifi cation desired.7. Completion of all courses listed under the Certifi cation degree planwith the exception of 7 hours of student teaching or teaching internship,and an additional 3 credit hours.8. Approval granted by the Education Advisory Council.For elementary education candidates (EC-6):Criteria listed above in 1 through 8 will apply.For middle school education candidates (4-8):Criteria listed above in 1 through 5 will apply, and• Completion of C I 2110, 3301, 3302, 4422, 4323, 4123, and at leasttwenty seven hours in an approved teaching fi eld with a GPA of 2.75in the teaching fi eld.For secondary education candidates (8-12):Criteria listed above in 1 through 5 will apply, and• Completion of C I 2110, 3301, 3302, 4324, 4325, 4125, and at leasttwenty seven hours in an approved teaching fi eld with a GPA of 2.75in the teaching fi eld.For all-level certificates:Criteria listed above in 1 through 5 will apply, and• Completion of C I 2110. 3301, 3302, 4324, 4325, 4125, and at leasttwenty seven hours in an approved teaching fi eld with a GPA of 2.75in the teaching fi eld.Other requirements for all student teachers:• Students may not enroll or audit more than nine semester hours (sixhours of student teaching, three hours of additional course work)including concurrent enrollment at other institutions during the semesterof student teaching without permission of the Department.• Student teachers are required to remain on their assigned schoolcampuses during regular school hours. All extracurricular activitiesand job assignments must be declared prior to the beginning of studentteaching and must be approved by the department.REQUIREMENTS OF THETEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY (TEA)FOR PROVISIONAL CERTIFICATEThe Texas Education Agency (TEA) has established general requirementsfor the Provisional teaching certifi cate. These requirements include:1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.Curriculum and InstructionBachelor’s degree from, and the recommendation of, an institution ofhigher learning approved for teacher education by the SBEC;Be at least eighteen years of age;Be of good moral character as evidenced by the recommendation ofa Texas senior college;Be clear of felony or misdemeanor convictions for crimes whichdirectly relate to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.As of September 1, 1982, all applicants for Texas certifi cateswill be screened for a record of felony or misdemeanor convictionthrough the Texas Department of Public Safety. Article 6252-13c,Texas Civil Statutes, authorizes the Commissioner of Education tosuspend, revoke, or refuse to issue a teaching certifi cate for a personwho has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor which directlyrelates to duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.All potential certifi cate applicants with criminal convictions shouldcontact the Certifi cation Officer of McMurry University immediately toseek clarifi cation of their certifi cation status. Applicants are now requiredto submit fi nger prints to the Texas Education Agency to fulfi llcertifi cation requirements.Be willing to support and defend the constitutions of the UnitedStates and Texas;Have college credit or examination credit in knowledge of the Texasand federal constitutions and United States history;Achieve a satisfactory score on a competency examination of basicskills in mathematics, reading, and writing/composition. THEA,Accuplacer, and Compass will be the test of basic skills required byMcMurry University to meet the SBEC standard; exemptions from theTHEA, Accuplacer, and Compass are outlined above and are availablefrom the Curriculum and Instruction offi ce.Achieve a satisfactory score on the certifi cation examinations prescribedby the State Board of Education. These tests are required asa criterion for receipt of the Provisional teaching certifi cate.Submit an application for certifi cation to the State certifi cation authorityaccompanied by the appropriate fee.McMURRY REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATIONIn addition to all certifi cation requirements established by the State ofTexas, McMurry University has established requirements for certifi cationwhich are above and beyond normal graduation requirements. To secure arecommendation for certifi cation from McMurry, one must meet the followingcriteria:1. Completion of an approved degree program leading toward certifi cationand the C&I professional development minor2. Overall grade point average of 2.75.3. Grade point average of 2.75 with no grade lower than a “C” in each ofthe following areas:71