Education

The Education department has multiple teaching pathways including a B.A. in Education with elementary certification grades (2-6) and an option to add early childhood certification grades (PK-3). Certification options are also offered in choral and instrumental music (grades PK-12).

Information about graduate programs for educators leading to certification may be found on the Graduate Studies page. The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) includes teacher certification in secondary grades (9-12), languages (grades PK-12). Additional certification programs are offered in literacy, special education, TESOL, and school/district leadership.

The B.A. in Educational Studies is designed for careers in non-traditional environments such as non-profits, camps, advocacy, or policy.

Our unique programs stress local and civic engagement starting in your first year. Opportunities for global engagement include travel study trips to Australia, New Zealand and European countries.

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 University is nationally accredited by CAEP. Additionally, the music teacher preparation program is accredited by NASM (National Association of Schools of Music). Initial teacher certification programs offered by Furman include elementary, foreign language, music, secondary English, mathematics, science, and social studies. CAEP-accredited programs at the advanced level include literacy, special education, TESOL, and school and district leadership.

As part of our 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.

Students who satisfactorily complete the requirements for certification become eligible for a teaching certificate in South Carolina and other states with reciprocal arrangements. Program completers are highly marketable and accomplished as can be seen in the CAEP Annual Reporting Measures of Outcome and Impact.

Vision Statement

The Education Preparation program at Furman University 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 Education Preparation 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.

Teacher Certification

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

Elementary Education (2-6) with the option to add early childhood certification grades (PK-3)
Music - Choral or Instrumental (PK-12)

Additional certification areas available on the graduate level include:

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

Undergraduates who have completed, or are completing, a bachelor’s degree in a content area may consider a certification option on the graduate level:

Master of Arts in Teaching:

English (9-12)

Biology (9-12)

Chemistry (9-12)

Physics (9-12)

Mathematics (9-12)

Social Studies (9-12)

French (PK-12)

Spanish (PK-12)

Candidates are required to pass the Praxis Subject Assessments, 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 certificate 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 teacher preparation guides available via the Education Department website.

All students wishing to major in Education, or seeking certification in grades 2-6 or Music Education in grades PK-12 at the undergraduate level 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 methods courses and the teaching internship. Application materials are available in the Education office suite and the Education Department website and should be submitted for review in November or April of the sophomore year for education majors or junior year for music education majors. Transfer students considering a major in Education should meet with the department chair to assess their eligibility.

Admission requirements for the graduate level M.A.T. are detailed in the graduate catalog. In order to be admitted into the Teacher Education program offered at the undergraduate level, applicants must:

satisfactorily complete (grade of “C” or higher) either EDU-111 (and associated field experience EDU-001) or EDU-112 or EDU-113 or EDU-114 .
If not exempt by ACT or SAT scores, 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 Music Education in grades PK-12 only)
maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75
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 (ACT or SAT) may be exempt from meeting the PRAXIS Core prerequisite. See the Application Checklist.

Continuation in the Teacher Education program is based on periodic performance assessments (transition points). The faculty has the responsibility to both the public and the profession to award a degree and/or recommend that certificates be issued only when candidates have 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.

Program requirements for the graduate level M.A.T. are detailed in the graduate section of the catalog.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Teacher Certification

Teaching in Grades PK-12

Courses

Education

Geography

Other Courses

MXP-182 Change Genres: Self-Help as Cultural Production