To receive your bachelor of science degree from The University of Findlay, you must also complete
BS/Graduation and Degree Requirements in addition to your middle childhood curriculum.
Disclaimer: Some programs are currently under review by the Ohio Department of Education and/or NCATE. For the most updated course lists, please see Patty Holcomb, administrative assistant or the area program director.
A
major in middle childhood-bachelor of science consists of EDUC 151, 161, 219, 227, 260, 299, 303, 311, 325, 326, 356, 415, 418, 423, 425, 465, 481; two courses from EDUC 361, 362, 363, or 364; SPED 134, 261. Students must complete two of the following content areas: language arts, mathematics, science, or social studies. Contact the College of Education for the content area requirements.
State Mandated Changes in Teacher Licensure Requirements
The Ohio legislature and the Ohio Department of Education continue to implement new teacher licensure standards for education candidates. In order to comply with new regulations, the College of Education at The University of Findlay will initiate ongoing changes.
While the faculty and administrative staff of the College of Education make every effort to ensure accuracy of information given to students enrolled in teacher education programs, the College of Education reserves the right to insert without prior notice changes or additions that will improve the quality of these programs. These changes usually result from authorized licensure modifications imposed on the University by the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio legislature, and/or the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Updated information will be shared with students in writing and orally in a timely manner. Please contact the program director in the licensure area of interest for the most up-to-date information.
Competency Requirements
All students at The University of Findlay must demonstrate competency in reading, writing, and computers. A student must earn grades of "C" or better in all education courses and the specified content area courses in the adolescent/young adult and multi age courses of study.
Teacher Education Majors, Licenses, and Endorsements
Bachelor of Arts in Education Programs:
Adolescent/Young Adult/Integrated English/Language Arts (grades 7-12)
Adolescent/Young Adult/Integrated Social Studies (grades 7-12)
Multi-Age/Drama/Theatre (grades K-12)
Multi-Age/Japanese (grades K-12)
Multi-Age/Spanish (grades K-12)
Multi-Age/Visual Arts (grades K-12)
Bachelor of Science in Education Programs:
Adolescent/Young Adult/Integrated Mathematics (grades 7-12)
Adolescent/Young Adult/Integrated Science (grades 7-12)
Adolescent/Young Adult/Life Science (grades 7-12)
Early Childhood (age 3-grade 3)
Intervention Specialist Education/Mild to Moderate Disabilities (grades K-12)
Middle Childhood-Language Arts/Math (grades 4-9)
Middle Childhood-Language Arts/Science (grades 4-9)
Middle Childhood-Language Arts/Social Studies (grades 4-9)
Middle Childhood-Math/Science (grades 4-9)
Middle Childhood-Math/Social Studies (grades 4-9)
Middle Childhood-Science/Social Studies (grades 4-9)
Multi-Age/Health Education (grades K-12)
Multi-Age/Physical Education (grades K-12)
Endorsements:
Bilingual/Multicultural
Middle Childhood Generalist (grades 4-6 self-contained)
Pre-Kindergarten Special Needs
Reading
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
License Requirements
An Ohio Provisional Teacher License, valid for two years, is required for participation in an Entry-Year Program during the candidate’s first year of employment by a school disrict. A provisional license is the first license that a graduate may be granted. It is good for up to two years. During this two-year period, an entry-level teacher must satisfy specified criteria and pass a performance assessment (PRAXIS III) in order to be granted his/her first professional teaching license, which is good for five years. The two-year provisional license will be issued to individuals who complete the following requirements:
- hold the degree required by the license
- have successfully completed portfolio reviews at all four levels (three for post-baccalaureate candidates)
- have completed an approved program of teacher preparationare
- are deemed to be of good moral character (have not been convicted of a felony)
- any misdemeanors, other than traffic offenses, will be reviewed by the Ohio Department of Education’s legal department
- have successfully completed professional examinations required by the State Board of Education (PRAXIS II)
- have demonstrated skill in integrating educational technology into instruction for children
- have completed required Application for Licensure Forms
- have been recommended by the Dean of an institution approved to prepare teachers
- have fulfilled all requirements of the College of Education Undergraduate Assessment Plan
A professional teacher license, valid for five years, will be granted to individuals who complete the following requirements:
- hold an appropriate provisional certificate
- are deemed of good moral character (have not been convicted of a felony)
- have successfully completed an approved program of teacher preparation
- have successfully completed an Entry-Year Program
- have successfully completed performance assessment during the Entry-Year Program (PRAXIS III).
If a candidate is interested in teaching in states other than Ohio, he/she should review that state's requirements with the College of Education Licensure Officer early in the education program. Ohio currently participates in the Interstate Licensure compact with 26 states. Final authority for issuing licenses rests with the individual states.
If an applicant has had a criminal record expunged, it needs to be noted on his/her application; otherwise, he/she can be denied a license for falsifying his/her application. Some offenses are non-employable, which means a person could get a license but not a job. A list can be obtained through the Ohio Revised Code.
Accreditations
The Teacher Education Program at The University of Findlay is approved by The Ohio Department of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Higher Learning Commission.
General Entry Requirements
The College of Education recognizes that a candidate enters the Professional Education Program with registration for the sophomore block, which can be taken either first or second semester of the sophomore year and completes the professional program by applying for a license. To register for the sophomore block, a candidate must meet the following criteria:
1. Continue to maintain a GPA of 2.75 in all course work completed.
2. Have successfully completed EDUC 151, 161, 260, and SPED 134 with grades of "C" or better.
3. All candidates must pass the PRAXIS I Tests in writing and mathematics with a score of 172 or higher and in reading with a score of 173 or higher. This test may be taken during the candidate's senior year in high school and/or freshman year at the University. This computer-based test is administered weekly throughout the year. Candidates who have an ACT of 21 or higher or a SAT score of 970 or higher will not be required to take the PRAXIS I Tests.
4. Candidates in the College of Education must maintain a portfolio built around the Goals and Objectives of the Undergraduate Teacher Education Program (PRAXIS/Pathwise domains and criteria plus four UF objectives). This portfolio is started in the freshman year and added to each year during the sophomore, methods (junior level), and senior field experience blocks. The portfolio is reviewed by a committee of faculty at both methods and student teaching levels.
5. Faculty and administration of the College of Education reserve the right to make decisions regarding formal entry to the program that will maintain program rigor and quality.
6. Candidates will also be evaluated by professors, cooperating teachers, and supervisors, to ensure they have the dispositions to teach. Dispositions are self- and faculty-assessed at freshman and sophomore levels. At junior and senior levels disposition assessment is linked to performance in a field experience.
Advanced Standing Requirements
To register for junior (300-level) and senior (400-level) education courses, an education candidate must have met all the above requirements. In addition, to achieve advanced standing candidates must:
1. Continue to maintain a GPA of 2.75 in all course work completed.
2. EC major must have successfully completed EDUC 219, 260, 299, and SPED 234, 261 with grades of "C" or better.
IS major must have successfully completed EDUC 219, 260, 299, and SPED 261 with grades of "C" or better.
MC major must have successfully completed EDUC 219, 227, 260, 299, and SPED 261 with grades of "C" or better.
AYA and MA majors must have successfully completed EDUC 260, 299, SPED 261, and PSYC 207 with grades of "C" or better.
Field-Based Experiences
After successfully completing the general entry requirements and prior to student teaching, each licensure candidate must complete the following:
1. A minimum of six to seven weeks (partial days) of observation time in the field (in a public or private school setting), as part of the Sophomore Block.
2. A minimum of six to eight weeks in the field observing and performing limited teaching responsibilities, as part of the methods field experience (usually at junior level).
3. Additional hours of field experiences/or clinical experiences, as determined by the teacher education faculty.
4. Successfully complete a methods level portfolio review.
Education students who need or desire additional field experience may enroll in EDUC 333, The School Volunteer Program. Details of this variable credit course will be determined in collaboration with the Director of Field Experiences and the candidate’s program director.
Students are required to be fingerprinted in order to participate in a field-based experience, first in the freshman year before the EDUC 161 field experience and again before student teaching.
Diverse Settings
The State of Ohio Teacher Licensure Standards require a prospective teacher to "participate in field based experiences in culturally, racially, and socio economically diverse settings." At least one of the three field experience (sophomore, methods, or student teaching) will be in a setting defined as "diverse" by the Ohio Department of Education.
Student Teaching Requirements
Education candidate apply for student teaching by
1. Completing an application for student teaching.
2. Completing a personal data record.
3. Submitting the personal data record to the Director of Field Experiences. This must be done by April 1 to student teach in the fall semester or by November 1 to student teach in the spring semester. Each candidate's transcript and Student Teaching Application are then reviewed by the Licensure Officer and the Director of Field Experiences. If requirements have been met, the candidate is approved for student teaching. If the requirements have not been met, the candidate is notified in writing, with an explanation of the specific deficiencies.
4. Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all course work completed.
5. Obtaining satisfactory status based on the BCI check. Finger printing is required.
6. Having earned a grade of "C" or better in all completed education courses.
7. Having completed a successful methods field experience (junior level) portfolio review.
8. Obtaining a recommendation from the Director of Field Experience.
9. See the College of Education Licensure Officer regarding the PRAXIS II test requirement.
If a candidate is denied permission to student teach, he/she may request a review. The request must be in writing and must be submitted to the Dean of the College of Education. After receiving the request, the Dean of the College of Education will notify the Director of Field Experiences. They will convene a meeting with the candidate and the candidate's adviser to review the decision and make a final determination. The candidate will receive written notification of the meeting's outcome. If the candidate is not satisfied with the outcome, he/she may request a review by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Application for Licensure
The final step in the teacher preparation program is application for licensure. To be eligible a candidate must have evidence of the following:
1. Successful completion of all University requirements for a degree
2. Successful completion of all College of Education requirements for a degree
3. Successful passage of the BCI/fingerprint check
4. Successful completion of all levels of the College of Education Assessment Plan, including all required portfolio reviews
5. Successful completion of all required PRAXIS II Exams
When the student has completed all requirements and submitted the appropriate forms, the Licensure Officer will endorse the application and will send it to the Ohio Department of Education.
Title II Statement Mission
The University of Findlay was founded in 1882 as Findlay College by the Churches of God, General Conference, and the city of Findlay. The name was changed in 1989 to The University of Findlay to reflect the dramatic growth of the institution and the addition of graduate programming.
The University of Findlay is a flexible, forward-looking institution that is constantly seeking ways of better serving students and the community. In today's fast-paced world, Findlay is continually adapting programs and teaching methods to meet the needs of current students in preparing them for tomorrow's careers. Education at The University of Findlay is offered in formats that accommodate students of all ages and their time-pressured lifestyles. In addition to traditional weekday classes, Findlay offers courses at night, on weekends, and over the Internet.
The mission of The University of Findlay is to equip our students for meaningful lives and productive careers. Our vision is to be recognized by our students, peer institutions, and other publics as a unique institution, vitally concerned with the growth, development, and success of each student and highly responsive to emerging opportunities for innovation in our educational programs, the learning environment we create, and the organizational processes of our institution necessary to accomplish these ends.
