Education

Professors: Heath, Hecker (Chair), Henderson, Jennings, Lipscomb, Svec, P. Thomas
Associate Professors: Bidjerano, DeJong, Kelly, Stuart

Assistant Professor: Siefert
Clinical Faculty: Prosser, Virani
Director of Graduate Studies: Terry

The Education Department offers a major in Education, preparation for licensure in grades 2-6, and preparation for licensure in an approved academic discipline for grades 9-12 or PK-12. The department also offers a major in Educational Studies for students who wish to study the field of education without preparation for licensure.

Teacher Education Program

Program Accreditation and Institutional Report Card

As a university preparing students for careers in public education and related professions, Furman is subject to regulations and guidelines established and implemented by the United States Department of Education, the South Carolina Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Furman meets national and state standards. Students who satisfactorily complete the requirements for licensure become eligible for a teaching license in South Carolina and other states with reciprocal arrangements. In efforts to continually renew and improve teacher education, regulations and standards governing teacher preparation programs periodically change, and the requirements for students admitted into the Teacher Education program are subject to those changes.

Vision Statement

The Teacher Education program at Furman prepares educators who are scholars and leaders.

Mission of the Program

Furman University prepares teachers and administrators to be scholars and leaders who use effective pedagogy, reflect thoughtfully on the practice of teaching, and promote human dignity. Specifically, educators who are scholars and leaders have in-depth knowledge and understanding of their discipline; use evidence-based practice for effective teaching and communication; and are caring and thoughtful individuals who respond sensitively to the needs and experiences of all students and others with whom they interact.

Furman is committed to a program of educator preparation that calls for collaborative, interdependent efforts throughout the academic community. Furman’s Teacher Education program is anchored in the university’s commitment to the liberal arts, encompassing the humanities, fine arts, mathematics, and social and natural sciences as the essential foundation for developing intellectually competent educators.

Licensure Options

The Teacher Education program at Furman satisfies licensure designations stipulated by the South Carolina Board of Education. At Furman University, teacher licensure programs are offered in the following areas:

Elementary Education (2-6)
Languages - French, Spanish (PK-12)
Music (PK-12)
Biology, Chemistry, English, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies (9-12)

Additional licensure areas available on the graduate level include:

Early Childhood Education (PK-3)
English for Speakers of Other Languages (PK-12)
Literacy (PK-12)
Special Education (PK-12)

For purposes of the Institutional Report Card, “program completers” are candidates who satisfactorily complete the requirements of the major in Education or in another approved academic discipline for grades 2-6, PK-12, or 9-12, as specified by Furman’s Teacher Education program. With the exception of the Music Education licensure program that may be completed within four years of undergraduate work, all other teacher licensure programs are residency programs completed at the post-baccalaureate level. This means the teacher candidate graduates after four years with a baccalaureate degree in the major. Completion of the Teaching Internship (EDEP-670) occurs on the graduate level during the fall semester of the following year. Graduate credits accrued during the post-baccalaureate year may be applied toward a master’s degree.

Candidates are required to pass the Praxis II, Subject Assessments/Specialty Tests and Principles of Learning and Teaching Tests (PLT), administered by the Educational Testing Service. Passing scores must be on file at Furman before a recommendation for a teaching license can be made.

Admission and Performance Assessment

For purposes of gauging the entrance level and continued growth of candidates toward proficiency in the knowledge, skills and dispositions espoused by the Teacher Education program, a system of periodic performance assessments is used, the first of which is the formal application for admission to the program. The performance assessments are described in detail in the Teacher Education Program Guide available via the Education Department website. All students wishing to major in Education, or seeking licensure in grades 2-6 or in the approved subject areas for grades PK-12 or 9-12, must be formally admitted to the Teacher Education program after completing the prerequisite requirements. These requirements must be met prior to enrolling in upper-level education or subject-specific methods courses and the teaching internship. Application materials are available in the Education office suite and should be submitted for review in November or April of the sophomore or junior year. Transfer students considering a major in Education should meet with the department chair to assess their eligibility.

In order to be admitted into the Teacher Education program, applicants must:

satisfactory complete (grade of “C” or higher) EDU-111 , EDU-120 , EDU 121, and their associated field experiences.
meet minimum scores mandated by the South Carolina State Department of Education on pre-professional skills tests (PRAXIS Core) in reading, mathematics, and writing,
obtain recommendations from the major department (for grades PK-12 and 9-12 secondary candidates only)
maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 and a grade point average of at least 2.75 in the major
demonstrate ethical and professionally responsible dispositions
receive clearance based on reports from Student Life and Academic Affairs (undergraduate students only)

Candidates with sufficiently high scores on standardized examinations required for admission to Furman may be exempt from meeting the PRAXIS Core prerequisite. See http://www2.furman.edu/academic/education/Documents/TEP%20ApplicationChecklist.pdf

Continuation in the Teacher Education program is based on periodic performance assessments. The faculty has the responsibility to both the public and the profession to award a degree or licensure only when the candidate has demonstrated a satisfactory level of professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions as judged by the program faculty. Further, candidates must exhibit integrity and character consistent with the Standards of Conduct for South Carolina Educators as set forth by the South Carolina Department of Education and the standards of ethical principles established by appropriate professional associations.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Licensure

Education, Licensure for Teaching in Other Subject Areas

Courses

Education

Geography