Education, B.A.

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 Board of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Furman meets the national and state standards for “program approval” status. 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 programs of 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. Furman is committed to a program of teacher education that calls for collaborative, interdependent efforts throughout the academic learning community.

The 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. Furthermore, candidates develop the following proficiencies as they progress through the teacher education program:

• mastery of subject matter
• mastery of pedagogical knowledge
• the ability to teach diverse learners
• the ability to reflect on scholarship and practice
• the belief that all learners can succeed
• fair and respectful behavior

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, Latin, 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. The Music Education licensure program may be completed within the four year undergraduate baccalaureate program. All other teacher licensure programs must be completed on a post-baccalaureate basis. This means the teacher candidate will graduate 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 and on 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 greater) EDU-111 , EDU-120 , and their associated field experiences.
• meet minimum scores mandated by the South Carolina State Board of Education on pre-professional skills tests (PRAXIS Core) in reading, mathematics, and writing,
• obtain recommendations from the major department (for PK-12 and secondary candidates only)
• maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.60 and a grade point average of at least 2.60 in the major
• demonstrate ethical and professionally responsible behavior
• 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 (a combined score of 1100 on the Math and Verbal section of the SAT prior to March 2005, a combined score of 1650 or greater on the Critical Reading, Math, and Writing sections of the current SAT, or a combined score of 24 on the ACT) are exempt from meeting the PRAXIS Core prerequisite.

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. See the Teacher Education program guide for more information.