EDUCATION

Undergraduate Programs in Education
The Student-Teaching Experience

The mission of the Department of Education is to provide effective and affective educational leaders for global learning communities.

Marymount students, both undergraduate and graduate, are prepared to be

critical thinkers who understand and analyze content, behavior, and data for instructional decision making, who reflect on the context of the classroom and the outcomes of their students, and who use strategic problem solving to support the development of all learners;
effective practitioners who demonstrate a thorough knowledge of content, human development, and pedagogy and who use the communication, technology, management, and pedagogical skills necessary to help all learners develop and achieve; and
caring professionals who exhibit high ethical standards, a respectful attitude, and a dedication to teaching and learning as they work and interact with diverse populations of children, their families, and their communities.

Through a variety of programs, Marymount undergraduate students may earn Virginia licensure at elementary, secondary, and K-12 levels. Undergraduates major in an appropriate liberal arts or science and complete their teacher licensure program requirements as outlined in the degree plan. All programs are designed to prepare graduates to enter the job market as beginning professionals in their respective disciplines. More information on teaching licensure disciplines.

Students seeking teaching licensure reserve one semester for the student-teaching experience. Student teaching is the culmination of the Marymount teacher-education program and reflects the degree to which a student will be effective as a classroom teacher. Complete information about application procedures for student teaching.

All Marymount University teacher education programs are approved by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Virginia Department of Education. Program requirements are subject to revision based on changes in the Commonwealth of Virginia licensure requirements. More than 30 states share reciprocity with Virginia.

Professional Development Evaluation

The goal of all Marymount University Education programs is to prepare students for a variety of educational positions in PK-12 school settings. The Education Department believes that becoming an educator who embodies the characteristics of an “effective practitioner,” “caring professional,” and “critical thinker” requires many things, including solid academic knowledge, up-to-date teaching skills, ethical behavior, professional demeanor, and appropriate personal characteristics.

Periodic Progress Review

Each semester, the Education faculty meets to evaluate all students’ academic progress and professional development. The Education faculty consider not only academic performance, but also personal characteristics, such as maturity, judgment, emotional stability, sensitivity to others, and self-awareness, that affect one’s ability to be a teacher or administrator. If the faculty identifies a problem during the periodic review or evidence of personal difficulty that has the potential to negatively affect the student’s capacity to function as a future teacher or administrator, the student will first be required to meet with his or her advisor. If needed, the student may be referred to the School of Education and Human Services’ Teacher Education Committee. Failure to meet academic and professional standards may result in dismissal from the Marymount University Education program. If the faculty identifies an outstanding candidate during the periodic review, the faculty may decide to send a letter of commendation to the student to recognize outstanding achievement.

Teacher Licensure Pass Rates

In October 1998, the U.S. Congress enacted amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA). As amended, Title II of the HEA addressed the issue of the quality of teacher preparation by including new accountability measures including reporting requirements for institutions and states on teacher preparation and licensing. As required by the Act, the results of those who completed the Marymount University Education program during the 2006-07 academic year (graduated in December 2006, spring 2007, and summer 2007) are listed here.

Undergraduate Programs in Education

Admission Requirements: In addition to the Universitywide admission requirements, applicants to the undergraduate teaching licensure programs must fulfill the following to be considered for acceptance into the program:

notify their major advisor of intent to pursue licensure during the freshman year;
complete ED 245E Exploring Teaching or ED 245S Educational Foundations for Secondary Teachers during the sophomore year with a grade of C or better;

submit an application for the teacher licensure program upon completion of ED 245E or ED 245S. At the time of application students must have passing scores, as set by the Virginia Department of Education, for the Praxis I exam or the SAT/ACT. (See the department chair for SAT/ACT scoring criteria.) The Praxis I exam must be taken while students are enrolled in ED 245E or ED 245S.

Praxis I	Passing Score*
Mathematics	178
Reading	178
Writing	176
*or a composite score of 532

minimum of 2.5 GPA overall; and
minimum of 3.0 GPA in the major for secondary programs

No more than 9 Education credits may be taken prior to acceptance into the teacher licensure program.

Legal Limitations of Practice: The practice of teaching is regulated by state laws. Questions concerning licensure in a specific state should be directed to that state’s Board of Education. Students may be required to submit a national criminal background check before being placed in field experiences or as a student-teacher. The cost of the investigation (approximately $50) must be paid by the student.

Minimum Grade Requirements: For successful program completion, a minimum grade of C is necessary in all required Professional Studies (Education) courses.

Transfer Policy: Transfer students must be enrolled in ED 245E or ED 245S before applying to the program.

Teaching Licensure Programs: The program of studies for each teaching licensure program is described in the major discipline section of this catalog. Students in the following programs will fulfill the curriculum requirements of the respective discipline — earning a degree in that field — and complete all Professional Studies requirements needed for Virginia licensure, including field experience and student teaching:

Art with K-12 Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Art)—See Art under School of Arts and Sciences for a degree plan.

Biology with Secondary-level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Biology)—See Biology under School of Arts and Sciences for a degree plan.

Elementary Education (PK-6) Licensure (B.A. in Liberal Studies)—See Liberal Studies under School of Arts and Sciences for a degree plan.

English with Secondary-level Teaching Licensure (B.A. in English)—See English under School of Arts and Sciences for a degree plan.

English as a Second Language with K-12 Teaching Licensure (B.A. in English)—See English under School of Arts and Sciences for a degree plan.

History/Social Science with Secondary-level Teaching Licensure (B.A. in History)—See History under School of Arts and Sciences for a degree plan.

Learning Disabilities with K-12 Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Psychology)—See Psychology under School of Education and Human Services for a degree plan.

Mathematics with Secondary-level Teaching Licensure (B.S. in Mathematics)—See Mathematics under School of Arts and Sciences for a degree plan.

Undergraduate Add-on Endorsements

English as a Second Language—Available for English majors who seek an additional licensure in ESL. See English for requirements.
Journalism—See Communications major for requirements.
Speech Communication—See Communications major for requirements.

The Student-Teaching Experience

Students seeking licensure complete their studies with a student-teaching experience. Students must apply for student teaching at the beginning of the semester prior to their anticipated student-teaching experience. Students register for student teaching through Marymount University regardless of the geographic location of the placement site.

Student-teachers are supervised by a faculty member in the School of Education and Human Services and by an on-site cooperating teacher. Students should consult the Marymount University Student-Teaching Handbook for full information on student teaching.
Placement is available in public schools in the greater Washington metropolitan area, the Diocese of Arlington, the Archdiocese of Washington, and in accredited private schools. Placement is made in conjunction with the local school districts and no particular placement can be guaranteed. Transportation to and from the cooperating school is the responsibility of the student. If student teaching out of the local area is necessary, the student must meet the written requirements available from the coordinator of Clinical Experiences and must have approval from the chair of the Education Department. While student teaching, all students assume the role of guest in the host school and must abide by the policies and regulations of the host school.

Placement for student teaching is dependent upon the School’s and faculty’s judgment regarding the student’s performance in both coursework and field placement.

Applications for student teaching must be received by the Office of Clinical Experiences by September 15 for spring student teaching and by February 1 for fall student teaching. Information and directions for application completion are available in the School of Education and Human Services and in the Office of Clinical Experiences.

Applying for Student Teaching: To be considered for placement, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

For the undergraduate Elementary Education (PK-6) licensure program

gain full admission into the teacher licensure program;
submit a student-teaching application packet (see deadlines previously noted);
submit a passing score on the Praxis II exam — Elementary Education: Content Knowledge #10014 — with the student-teaching application;
submit passing scores on the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA) and the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA);
complete all licensure and Professional Studies requirements;
earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in Education courses; and
gain the approval of the Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Committee.

For undergraduate Art Education, English as a Second Language, Learning Disabilities, and all undergraduate Secondary Education licensure programs

gain full admission into the teacher licensure program;
submit a student-teaching application packet (see deadlines previously noted);
submit a passing score on the Praxis II exam — Specialty Area Test for secondary students — with the student-teaching application;
submit a passing score on the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), and — for those enrolled in the Psychology/Learning Disabilities licensure program — a passing score on the Virginia Reading Assessment (VRA);
complete at least 27 credits in the major and all Professional Studies requirements;
earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in the student’s major; and
gain the approval of the Undergraduate Teacher Licensure Committee.