Gordon T. and Ellen West College of Education

Leann Curry, Dean (Bridwell Hall 302)

Education

Suzanne Lindt, Chair - Department of Undergraduate Education
Kym Acuna, Chair - Department of Graduate and Adult Education
Professors: M. Capps, Huang, Lindt, Schultz
Associate Professors: Acuna, Andersen, Curry, Gupta, McIntyre, Reeves, Smith, Stewart, Whitworth
Assistant Professors: Dieghan, Fox, Helmcamp, Hinchman, Humphreys, Medellin, Shawver, Waisner-Taylor, Wood, Zamora-Robles
Instructors: Bullard, Swagerty
Certification Officer: Meaders
Professors Emeriti: Blacklock, Burger, E. Capps, Coe, Darter, Dowd, Estrada, Gore, Kitchen, Land, Menard, Newton, Owen, Redmon, Simpson

Mission Statement for the Gordon T. and Ellen West College of Education

The mission of the Gordon T. and Ellen West College of Education, a community of learners, is to prepare successful, reflective professionals through the use of best practices.

Philosophy

The West College of Education believes that learning changes both the individual and society. Developing resiliency and tolerance enhances an individual’s potential. The individual becomes a critical thinker and an effective problem solver. Individuals with a cause beyond self, contribute to an informed, democratic, and synergistic society. We will establish a reflective and collaborative community to enhance the potential of both the learner and society.

Program Summary

The undergraduate teacher certification program of the West College of Education functions within a Center for the Professional Development of Teachers (CPDT). The CPDT consists of the Gordon T. and Ellen West College of Education and cooperating public schools. All professional education courses, and most reading courses, are taught as field-based courses in classrooms dedicated to our teacher education program in those professional development schools.

The Gordon T. and Ellen West College of Education offers teacher certification for elementary, secondary, all-level teachers, a Bachelor of Science Education (BSE) in Sports and Leisure Studies, a BSE in Early Childhood Studies and Early Care, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) with a major in Substance Abuse Counseling. Students who wish to become elementary teachers (Early Childhood - Grade 3, Early Childhood - Grade 6; Grades 4-8) graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE). Students who wish to become secondary teachers (Grades 7-12) may choose a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) with a major in Secondary Education and concentrations in Mathematics, Science, English Language Arts and Reading, or Social Studies.  Students may also choose a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with a major and/or minor in appropriate teaching fields.  All-level teachers (Grades K-12) pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Music, with a major and/or minor in appropriate teaching fields.  Students interested in physical education (All-level) should pursue a Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) with a major in physical education.

The program requirements listed are those in effect at the time this catalog was published. Changes may be mandated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Texas Education Agency, or Midwestern State University Teacher Education Committee (MSU-TEC). Students should contact the West College of Education for information regarding program changes.

Admission to the Teacher Certification Program

The Teacher Education Committee expects all teacher education students to be above average scholars; therefore, to be considered for admission to the Teacher Certification program, the applicant must have

1. an application on file (instructions available in Education Office);
2. a 3.0 content GPA specific to candidate’s area of specialization (for specific course per certification area, see program website);
3. at least 45 semester hours of credit, including a minimum grade of C in EDUC 2013  and COUN 2143  (unless otherwise specified in degree plan);
4. a cumulative grade point of 2.75;
5. a grade point of 3.0 in the Communication Core  (excluding any developmental courses);
6. satisfactory completion of an interview (TAC 227.10); and
7. completed a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in the subject-area content coursework for the certification sought unless the certification is sought in mathematics or science which requires 15 semester credit hours of subject-area content coursework (TAC 227.10).

Upon completion of steps 1-7 above, the student’s application to the teacher education program is submitted to the Teacher Education Committee. The Teacher Education Committee has the authority to accept or reject an applicant to teacher certification based on the applicant’s file and other relevant information. Admission to the Teacher Education Program is highly selective. Should limitations on resources require restrictions to be placed on the number of students admitted in a given semester or year, the Teacher Education Committee will admit students according to the level of distinction achieved.

All students must be admitted to the program prior to enrolling in any professional education course (EDUC 3163 , EDUC 3183 , EDUC 3193 , EDUC 4033 , EDUC 4043 , EDUC 4053 , EDUC 4063 , EDUC 4066 , EDUC 4073 , EDUC 4076 , EDUC 4083 , EDUC 4086 , EDUC 4113 , EDUC 4166 , EDUC 4173 , EDUC 4233 , EDUC 4303 , EDUC 4366 , EDUC 4403 , EDUC 4503 , EPSY 3153 , ETEC 4003 , READ 4203 , READ 4213 , READ 4223 , READ 4233 , READ 4243 , READ 4273 , READ 4403 , SPED 3613 , SPED 3623 ). Students should complete all requirements and file for admission by the time they have completed 45 hours of credit. Students who have 45 hours of credit and have not been admitted to the program are limited to taking 6 semester hours of professional education courses.

Undergraduate students seeking teacher certification shall be advised by the West College of Education academic advisor.

Monitoring and Supporting Candidate Progression

Candidate progression is monitored at specific transition points from admission through completion that indicate candidates’ developing content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical skills, critical dispositions, and professional responsibilities, and the ability to integrate technology effectively in their practice.  Transition points for each certification area are identified in the WCOE Teacher Education Handbook.  Each admitted cohort must maintain a 3.0 GPA in content specific coursework and 3.0 GPA in professional education areas, also identified in the WCOE Teacher Education Handbook.  Candidate support is provided through faculty engagement.  Candidates are limited to repeating required coursework leading to certification one time.

Admission to Clinical Teaching

Students should make application for clinical teaching by September 1 for the spring semester and by February 15 for the fall semester. Consideration for admission requires a 2.75 overall GPA, a 3.0 GPA in content specific coursework, a 3.0 GPA in professional education coursework and the dean’s approval in professional education and each teaching field. A grade of “D” in a course required for certification cannot be used in a student’s teaching field, major, minor, or professional education courses. Students may be required to pass qualifying exams in their respective colleges prior to being admitted to clinical teaching. Thirty-six hours of field experiences, with at least one-half at the appropriate teaching level, must be completed before clinical teaching begins. Complete applications are approved by the Teacher Education Committee. Fall applications may not be approved until August if the student has summer courses to complete.

All required content including major and minor courses along with professional education courses must be completed prior to clinical teaching.

Clinical teaching will be full days for one semester (fall or spring).

Fitness for the Teaching Profession

Students who are admitted to teacher education are expected to meet specified non-academic standards that are necessary to be competent teachers. The intent is to ensure that the students recommended for teacher certification are able to effectively and independently carry out the duties for which they are being prepared. The fitness criteria include personality characteristics, responsibility characteristics, communication skills, social relationships, and commitment to the teaching profession. Students who have been identified with a demonstrable discrepancy by one or more professors or cooperating teachers will meet with the Fitness Alert Committee to discuss options and develop a growth plan. The Fitness Alert Committee consists of three faculty members in the West College of Education appointed by a department chair. Failure to make satisfactory progress on the growth plan may result in denied admission to student teaching or removal from the program.  In extreme cases, the student may be immediately removed.

Recommendation for Certification

University recommendation for teacher certification will require completion of the approved program, satisfactory scores on the state competency examinations (TExES), and approval by the Teacher Education Committee. Recommendation for certification will not be made for a student receiving a grade below “C” in clinical teaching. Certification requires successful scores on the TExES and an application fee set by the State Board for Educator Certification. Application for certification is made by applying online at http://www.tea.state.tx.us.  The Certification Assistant in the Education Office can provide detailed instructions on applying online.

Upon receipt of the University recommendation, the State Board for Educator Certification screens all applicants for Texas certificates for a record of felony or misdemeanor conviction through the Texas Department of Public Safety. In accordance with Article 6252-13c, Texas Civil Statutes, the Commissioner of Education may suspend or revoke a teaching certificate, or refuse to issue a teaching certificate for a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime which directly relates to the duties and responsibilities of the teaching profession.

Programs, Areas of Certification, and Courses