Teaching Certification Requirements
Exploring Teaching Certification – Students will begin teacher certification with EDS 150 (see course sequencing below). Because students in EDS 150 will begin participating in P-12 field experiences, they must complete a state criminal records clearance during the class. After completion of EDS 150, students will be assigned a secondary advisor in Education Studies who will begin working with them their sophomore year.
Requirements for Formal Admission to a Teacher Education Program (TEP) – Grades of C or higher in EDS 150 and B- or higher in one other EDS course (preferably EDS 227, EDS 228, MUS 118B or HHP 125); a minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or 3.00 in the past 30 credit hours (equals approximately seven and a half full credit classes from Berea College); and demonstration of appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and temperament in classroom and field settings. Candidates seeking teaching certification, together with their advisors, will also construct a well-developed Curriculum Plan. For additional requirements, also see the Education Studies page of the catalog for information about the TEP, Student Teaching, and Recommendation for Certification.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete teacher certification requirements within nine terms) – Students planning to seek teacher certification while majoring in a content area are encouraged to take EDS 150 in the second term of the first year, but no later than the first term of the sophomore year. (EDS 150 is offered each Fall term and multiple sections of EDS 150 are offered each Spring term.) Students will take courses in this approximate sequence leading up to the Pre-Professional 8th term and Student Teaching in the 9th term: EDS 228, EDS 325, EDS 338, EDS 339, EDS 346, EDS 349. Courses to be taken in the Pre-Professional term, which will be the Spring Term of the senior year are EDS 480 and EDS 484. Student Teaching will take place in the 9th term (Fall). Throughout their preparation, students should seek to make connections between each of their General Education courses and their professional preparation as teachers.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of Teacher Certification – Students must meet all criteria for admission and retention at each stage of the Teacher Education Program. In addition to completing specified course requirements, required admission to the department and to student teaching, and the required written assessments, portfolios, and performance assessment, each student must satisfy departmental standards for written and oral communication, demonstrated through the portfolio and course work; and demonstrate appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and temperament in classroom and field settings.
Other Considerations and Recommendations – Transfer students should contact Education Studies as early as possible because special rules may apply. Throughout their preparation, candidates for teacher certification are expected to seek out rich and substantive experiences with students of the ages they plan to teach beyond those associated with education courses. Such activities include Students for Appalachia-related service work (e.g., One-on-One Tutoring), working with after-school programs, volunteering in schools, or summer camp experiences.