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 at the graduate level. Degree and professional licensure programs are available in teaching as well as non-teaching areas for undergraduate and graduate students.

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

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. This program 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 any 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 Teacher 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.

Programs and Licensure offered by the Department of Teacher Education

Bachelor of Science in Education with Licensure in:

Adolescent to Young Adult (Grades 7-12) Licensure in conjunction with Shawnee State University’s:

Multi-Age Visual Arts Licensure (PreK-12) in conjunction with Shawnee State University’s:

     Bachleor of Fine Arts

Associate of Applied Science

Minor

Endorsements can be added to existing license

Certificate (Non-Teaching)

Master of Education

Department of Teacher Education

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.

For More Information:

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

Department of Teacher Education
Shawnee State University, 940 2nd Street
Education Building, 945 4th Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

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

The Office of 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 Information (PRAXIS I or II and/or ACT)
• 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 Department of Teacher Education is located in the Education Building, 945 - 4th Street, Portsmouth, Ohio.

For More Information:

Debra Weber, M.A.Ed., Director, PreProfessional Services
Kathy Webb, M. Ed., Clinical and Field Experience Coordinator
PreProfessional Services Representative

Department of Teacher Education/Preprofessional Services 
Shawnee State University, 940 2nd Street
Education Building, 945 4th Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662

Phone: 740.351.3297
Fax:     740.351.3603
E-mail: dweber@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:

Beth Rice, 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: brice@shawnee.edu

Undergraduate Teacher Education Program Information

Eligibility Criteria for Level 1:  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 minimum sub-scores of 19 on the English, Reading, and Mathematics are attained.

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
• Qualifying scores on ACT or PRAXIS I test.
• 2.75 overall GPA
• Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or higher
  
  • ENGL 1101 or 1102
  • ENGL 1105
  • MATH1100/GEP Quantitative Reasoning course
  • PSYC 1101
  • EDUC 1115
• Satisfactory evaluations for field experiences in EDUC 1115
• Satisfactory progress toward professional portfolio development with successful review from EDUC 1115 faculty
• Completed application with signed statement of good moral character
• Successful Federal and State background clearances (Early Childhood and Early Childhood Intervention Specialist licensure 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.education@shawnee.edu 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/ACT Test

Shawnee State University utilizes the PRAXIS series as one element of our student assessment program. Students complete the PRAXIS I (or ACT) 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. PRAXIS I and II are standardized tests completed at testing centers.

PRAXIS I and II registration information is available 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.  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 Graduate 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

The Alternative Resident Education Licensure process is initiated by the applicant contacting the Ohio Department of Education at 1-877-644-6338 or 888-886-0181 (TTY). Shawnee State University supports the State of Ohio’s alternative pathways to teaching programs by providing coursework 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 of Teacher Education for additional information.

Graduate Degree Admission Requirements

Please visit the Graduate Center section of this catalog for more information about admission to Graduate level programs.