The Department of Teacher Education at Shawnee State University is dedicated to preparing highly skilled educators at the undergraduate level and supporting professional development of practicing professionals. Degree and professional licensure programs are available in teaching as well as non-teaching areas for undergraduate students as well as persons wishing to enhance their employment options. Whether you are just beginning your professional preparation or you are interested in enhancing your skills, the Department is here to help you meet your goals.

The Department of Teacher Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

For More Information

Paul M. Madden, Ph.D., Chairperson
Gail Chinn, Secretary

Department of Teacher Education
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

Phone: 740.351.3451
Fax: 740.351.3603
E-mail: gchinn@shawnee.edu

Teacher Licensure Programs

The vision of teaching that guides the teacher education programs at Shawnee State University is that of a reflective and inquiring professional.

Shawnee State education students are prepared to become learner-centered, inquiring professionals. The teacher preparation programs require a strong foundation in an academic content or teaching area with the rigor of a professional credentialing program, which prepares entry-level teachers and other professionals for the dynamic responsibilities of contemporary schools and agencies. Our program emphasizes lifelong learning in addition to the acquisition of specific skills and knowledge that are essential for an entry level teacher.

The knowledge base for all of the SSU teacher education programs is defined as five constituent domains of teacher capacity, including: 1) general studies and discipline area; 2) the diverse learner and learning process; 3) learning contexts and environments; 4) effective teaching strategies; and 5) professional development.

The education program provides a well-articulated arrangement of field and lab experiences designed to screen students for desired teacher qualities, provide a wide range of classroom experiences, and result in documentation of individual skills and experience through a professional portfolio. The teacher education program culminates in a student teaching experience that evaluates professional competence and potential.

All of the licensure programs lead to a greater mastery of a teaching or professional specialization, an increased understanding of the liberal arts perspective, a research-based professional education core, and a greater sense of the need to contribute one’s abilities to the present community through service and to future communities through students’ lives.

Preprofessional Services

The Office of Preprofessional Services provides assistance in the following areas to current and potential education students of Shawnee State University:

Student Recruitment
Initial Program Advising
Field Experiences Placement
Student Teaching Placement
Graduate Follow-up
Transfer Credit Review
Program Admissions
Examination Registration (PRAXIS Tests)
Licensure

While appointments are recommended, students may drop in on an as-needed basis for information and assistance in any of the above areas. The office is located in the Department of Teacher Education suite on the second floor of Massie Hall.

For More Information

Debra Weber, M.A.Ed., Director
Vacant, Clinical and Field Experience Coordinator
Marcia Tackett, B.A., Preprofessional Services
Representative

Preprofessional Services
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

Phone: 740.351.3297
Fax: 740.351.3603
E-mail: mtackett@shawnee.edu

The Dr. Miller & Genevieve Toombs Children’s Learning Center at Shawnee State University (CLC)

The CLC is a preschool which serves children who are three, four, or five years old. It is operated in conjunction with the Department of Teacher Education and is located on the campus of Shawnee State University. In addition to providing preschool and extended care services, the CLC functions as a laboratory school for the University’s early childhood licensure programs.

For More Information

Cynthia Ferguson, M.Ed., Director
Carol Sexton, Secretary
Children’s Learning Center
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, OH 45662-4344
Phone: 740.351.3252
Fax: 740.351.3184
E-mail: cferguson@shawnee.edu

Selective Admissions and Retention

All programs offered by the Department of Teacher Education are selective admissions and retention. The PRAXIS I (PPST) examinations of reading, writing, and mathematics with a score of 172 are required for registration in all education courses numbered 2000 and higher. The ACT examination may be used in lieu of the PRAXIS I if a composite score of 21 and sub-scores of 19 on the English, reading, and mathematics are attained.

Eligibility Criteria for Level 1

• Admission to Teacher Education To be considered for admission to teacher education, a student must complete the following criteria:
• Satisfactory completion of at least 24 credit hours of university/college coursework
• 2.75 overall GPA
• Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher
  
  • ENGL 1101 or 1102
  • ENGL 1105
  • GEP Quantitative Reasoning course
  • PSYC 1101
  • EDUC 1115
• Satisfactory evaluations for field and laboratory experiences in EDUC 1115
• Satisfactory progress toward professional portfolio development with successful review from EDUC 1115 faculty
• Completed statement of good moral character
• Complete first background clearance investigation (early childhood and early childhood intervention specialist students complete additional background/health packet)

Students receiving admission to teacher education may continue to take coursework toward their licensure programs and are eligible to register for education courses as they meet necessary prerequisites.

Special Note:

Admission to teacher education does not guarantee admission to a licensure program, to student teaching, or recommendation for teacher licensure. Please consult the Teacher Education Handbook online at www.shawnee.edu/academics/teachered and a faculty advisor for licensure program admission, student teaching, and for teacher licensure requirements. The Teacher Education Handbook has detailed requirements for admission and retention.

Portfolio Requirement

Teacher preparation programs at Shawnee State University are performance-based. All students are required to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with the five domains of teacher capacity and their respective specialized professional associations. The SSU teacher candidate:

• Is well grounded in general studies and specific discipline area(s)
• Understands the nature of human development and learning in working with diverse learners
• Demonstrates sensitivities to learning contexts and environments
• Employs effective teaching strategies to ensure the learning outcome
• Practices professionalism

A significant amount of the evidence of teacher candidate performance is maintained through a required professional electronic portfolio. With each course and at every level, students are required to collect items for their e-portfolio, provide standards-based rationale for including the item in the e-portfolio, and organize the e-portfolio to demonstrate their professional preparation for teaching.

PRAXIS Series Tests

Shawnee State University utilizes the PRAXIS series as one element of our student assessment program. Students complete the PRAXIS I prior to enrolling in any teacher education course; PRAXIS II Content/Specialty Area test prior to student teaching; PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching prior to earning a provisional license; and PRAXIS III prior to professional licensure. PRAXIS I and II are standardized tests completed at testing centers. PRAXIS III is a performance assessment completed during the entry year teaching experience. A trained assessor conducts PRAXIS III in the entry year teacher’s classroom.

PRAXIS I and II registration information is available from the Department of Teacher Education or on the web. Test dates are limited and should be planned well in advance. Score reports are received within four to six weeks after test completion. Students should have their registration forms reviewed by department staff prior to mailing. The tests are costly and any inaccurate information on the registration form could result in a delay or a non-report of test scores. Visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) on the web at www.ets.org/praxis.

Transfer, Postbaccalaureate, SSU Graduates Policy

Transfer students should review this catalog for transfer credit information. A grade of “C” or higher is required for all transfer credit. No exceptions will be made for any student entering a teacher preparation program. Grades earned at the student’s previous institution will be used in determining program GPA requirements.

Postbaccalaureate students who graduated from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher in an appropriate content area may register for licensure only. The programs leading to adolescent to young adult licensure are best suited for postbaccalaureate students. Programs are primarily undergraduate, initial licensure, and a postbaccalaureate option for licensure does not currently exist. PRAXIS II content test must be passed prior to admission as a licensure only student. Any deficient areas must be met prior to recommendation for licensure. All applicable GPA and minimum grade requirements apply. Students registering for the licensure only option do not earn a degree from Shawnee State University; all coursework applies only to licensure requirements regardless of credit hours earned. A postbaccalaureate student who feels s/he may be eligible to earn the bachelor’s degree may have his/her program reviewed and credit transferred into a degree program.

SSU graduates who have not begun the teacher preparation program are considered postbaccalaureate students and are required to meet the same guidelines listed previously.

Students who began their professional preparation at Shawnee State as undergraduates must meet the applicable undergraduate program requirements.

Alternative Pathways to Teaching

Shawnee State University supports the Ohio Board of Education’s alternative pathways to teaching programs by accommodating coursework and professional experience as required by law. SSU does require an application and information to be submitted by candidates for this option. Some required courses are offered on a limited basis and restrictions do apply. Contact the department for additional information.

Adolescent to Young Adult (7-12) Licensure and Art Education (P-12)

The Department of Teacher Education offers licensure in adolescent to young adult education (grades 7-12) for teaching language arts, mathematics, natural sciences , and social studies in conjunction with the respective College of Arts and Sciences departments. See the appropriate department catalog sections for specific course requirements. Multiage (P-12) art education is offered in conjunction with the Department of Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts.