Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.02.01

Dean and Associate Professor: Dr. Diana Pounder, 450-5401
Assistant to the Dean and Clinical Instructor II: Ms. Barnes, 450-5403
Assistant to the Dean for Special Programs: Dr. Williams, 450-3627
Director of Admissions/Licensure and Assistant Professor: Mr. Vaughn, 450-3131
Coordinator of Field Experience: Dr. Alea, 450-3131
Coordinator of Internship II: Ms. Farris, 450-3131
Technology Learning Center Coordinator: Ms. Stewart, 450-5058
Clinical Instructor I: Mr. Stone 450-3400

[1] Introduction

The College of Education at the University of Central Arkansas, as Arkansas' premier educator preparation college, is dedicated to providing exemplary programs for the preparation of professional educators, including teacher preparation, educational leadership, school counseling, library media, instructional technologies, higher education student personnel administration, and other related professional fields. With an emphasis on teaching, research, and service, the members of the College of Education, along with their counterparts in supporting programs across campus, demonstrate a commitment to the improvement of educational programs and services by collaboratively working with organizations that have teaching and human development as their mission. The professional education programs in the College prepare professionals who demonstrate the content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to help all students learn.

To accomplish this mission the College of Education:

• Provides programs of study at both the undergraduate and graduate levels based on empirically-supported pedagogical and clinical practices.
• Prepares educators to effectively teach and enhance learning conditions and outcomes for diverse learners.
• Promotes a commitment to understanding and working effectively with children and adults in geographically and culturally diverse settings.
• Employs a faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Establishes a professional environment conducive to both student and faculty growth and development.
• Supports faculty to establish prominence and visibility through state and national professional contributions and to maintain UCA's prominence as the premier educator preparation institution in Arkansas.
• Maintains and supports resources such as the Technology Learning Center, the Child Study Center, partner schools, multimedia classrooms, and outreach programs such as the Mashburn Center, the Leadership Institute, and 'We the People' program.

To help achieve this mission, the college is committed to working collaboratively with elementary and secondary schools, post-secondary institutions, state agencies, and other public and private groups to address educational issues. Faculty members are actively involved with organizations at the state, regional, and national levels, with schools, and with human service agencies.

Faculty members involved in the preparation of professional educators, as well as professional education candidates, public school representatives, and members of the community share a vision for the Professional Education Unit (PEU) at the University of Central Arkansas. This vision is to enchance educator's efficacy through reflective decision-making. The PEU defines reflective decision-makers as those who think systematically about their practice, engage in thoughtful assessment of their effectiveness, and attempt to understand the consequences of their actions while contemplating alternative possibilities.

The university's teacher preparation programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Arkansas Department of Education. Graduates of UCA's teacher education programs typically perform well on examinations of professional preparation. In Arkansas, the Department of Education provides the Praxis II pass rates for all teacher preparation units in the state to the U.S. Secretary of Education as mandated by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998. The pass rate for each academic year since 1999-2000 is published as part of the Title II Teacher Education Report Card.  The pass rate is available to the public and may be accessed online at http://www.uca.edu/panda/reports/title2.

The college is housed on campus in Mashburn Hall, and the Child Study Center is adjacent to the university campus. The college comprises three academic departments: Early Childhood and Special Education, Leadership Studies, and Teaching and Learning. The Office of Candidate Services and Field Experiences coordinates teacher education admissions, early field experiences, internships and licensure. The Technology Learning Center serves faculty, candidates, and the community with technology labs and with a media resource center for the design and development of instructional materials.

[2] The Professional Education Unit (PEU)

The Professional Education Unit (PEU) is the umbrella organization under which teaching faculty, academic administrators, and practicing professionals come together to collaborate on the design, delivery, approval, and accreditation of all education programs. The faculty number approximately 90 full-time and part-time, and the administrators represent over thirteen different instructional departments in five colleges. The Dean of the College of Education leads the PEU and provides university-wide coordination for all education programs, working in partnership with the other deans of the university.

Within the Professional Education Unit, the following functions are centralized in the College of Education in support of all teacher education programs at UCA:

• Formal admission to Teacher Education - Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience
• Admission to Internship - Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience
• Recommendations for Licensure - Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience
• Coordination for Program Accreditation - Dean of the College of Education
• Coordination of the PEU and Program Coordinators - Dean of the College of Education
• Oversight of the Professional Education Council (PEC) (the college-level policy and curriculum committee for all education programs at UCA) - Dean of the College of Education

Within the PEU, most of the responsibilities for designing, implementing, and administering individual degree programs in teacher education are decentralized and assigned to different colleges and academic departments. Each program has a UCA faculty member who serves as the program coordinator in the department responsible for that program. Degree programs within the College of Education are listed below; also listed are other UCA colleges and departments that collaborate in UCA's education degree programs:

[2.1] College of Education

Bachelor of Science in Education

• Business and Marketing Technology
• Early Childhood Education, P-4
• Middle Level Education, 4-8
          Language Arts/Social Studies
          Mathematics/Natural Science

Master of Arts in Teaching

Master of Science in Education

• Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership
• Reading
• Special Education:
          Instructional Specialist, Birth-8 years (P-4)
          Instructional Specialist, Grades 4-12

Master of Science

• Instructional Technology
• Library Media and Information Technologies
• School Counseling
• School Leadership, Management, and Administration

Educational Specialist

• Educational Leadership

[2.2] College of Fine Arts and Communications

Undergraduate Programs

• Art, P-8 and 7-12
• Music, Instrumental and Vocal, P-8 and 7-12

[2.3] College of Health and Behavioral Sciences

Undergraduate Programs

• Family and Consumer Sciences, 7-12
• Kinesiology/Physical Education/Health, P-8 and 7-12

Graduate Programs

• School Psychology

[2.4] College of Liberal Arts

Undergraduate Programs

• English, 7-12
• French, P-8 & 7-12
• Social Studies - History, 7-12
• Spanish, P-8 & 7-12

[2.5] College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Undergraduate Programs

• Mathematics, 7-12
• Secondary Science Education, 7-12
          Life/Earth Science
          Physical/Earth Science

At UCA, the content specialists in the arts and sciences work collaboratively with pedagogy specialists in those same disciplines and often in the same departments to prepare professional educators.

[3] Teacher Education Program: Admission, Exit, and Retention Requirements

The state of Arkansas requires all applicants for a teacher's license to be finger-printed and to undergo a successful background check from the FBI, Arkansas State Police, and the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Registry. Questions about this procedure and/or its impact upon a candidate's personal situation should be directed to the Director of Admissions and Licensure. If evidence becomes known that would render the candidate ineligible to receive a teaching license in the state of Arkansas, then this information may become grounds to refuse admission to or retention in the teacher education program.

Programs in the College of Education that lead to licensure relating to P-12 schools require a passing score on the appropriate Praxis exam(s) and satisfactory completion of all key assessments identified by the individual program area. Candidates cannot complete their program unless both of these criteria have been met. Individual programs may have additional entrance and exit requirements.

[3.1] Admission and Exit Requirements

Admission to teacher education is required for all candidates expecting to complete a teacher education program leading to initial licensure in any teaching field. Level I admission is required for enrollment in designated upper division professional education courses.

        [3.1.1] Level I Admission

The following minimum requirements must be met for admission to the teacher education program:

1. Submit an Admissions Affidavit to the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience. Candidates can access the Admission Affidavit on the Program Application and Licensure Materials link under the Teacher Education Information page on the COE website. After the Admission Affidavit is downloaded and printed, it must be submited to the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience. The Admission Affidavit must be submitted prior to the admission interview registration deadline (see table below) of the semester of which you are seeking admission.
2. Submission of Internship Waiver. This form was completed in EDUC 1300 (or upon arrival for transfer students); however, candidates seeking admission will want to verify that their signed form is on file. If needed, the Internship Waiver is also located on the Program Application and Licensure Materials link under the Teacher Education information page on the COE website.
3. A cumulative 2.5 GPA on all coursework attempted. Prior to full admission, transfer students with no previous coursework at UCA must also establish a 2.5 GPA in a minimum of twelve semester hours at UCA.
4. Completion of courses in written communications (WRTG 1310 and 1320), oral communications (SPCH 1300), and mathematics (MATH 1360 or above) with no grade less than a C. Some majors require College Algebra (MATH 1390) for admission. Completion of pre-admission education courses EDUC 1300 Education as a Profession (all majors), EDUC 1240 Basic Educational Technology Skills or successful completion of the Technology Competency Exam (all majors), and ECSE 3300 Foundations of Early Childhood Education (P-4 majors only). All professional education courses must be completed with no grade less than a C.
5. Completion of the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST). The established state and UCA minimum scores are: PPST Reading 172; PPST Math 171; PPST Writing 174 (UCA minimum writing score is 174 while the state minimum is 173). Candidates are advised to take the Praxis I during the freshman year. Admission to the program will be delayed until minimum scores on each section are achieved.
6. Successful completion of forty-five semester hours (or in process).
7. Submission of two recommendations for admission from UCA faculty (one recommendation must be completed by the instructor of EDUC 1300 or ECSE 3300).
8. Candidate interview by the major area faculty with recommendation for admission. Candidates will register for the interview in The Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience. An admission status checksheet will be forwarded to the candidate's major academic department prior to the interview dates established by the department. Interview registration deadlines are listed below.
9. Students transferring to UCA who may have completed any of the above admission requirements at another institution should contact the Office of Candidate Services prior to their first semester of enrollment.

The Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience will observe the following deadlines for the application process. Candidates are encouraged to submit all requirements for admission prior to the established deadlines.

*Summer interviews are offered at the discretion of the academic department.

        [3.1.2] Level II Admission

Level II of the teacher education program consists of a one-semester full-time placement (Internship II) in an accredited and approved public school setting. During this time the candidate will be placed with a mentor teacher who is fully licensed in the candidate's major area of study. Candidates will be admitted into Level II of the teacher education program upon successful completion of the following:

• Minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.5
• Acceptable scores on the summative evaluation of the Level I performance standards based upon the Teacher Performance Outcomes Assessment (TPOA) and supported by the professional portfolio and field assessments
• Recommendation of major area faculty
• Submission of scores on the Praxis II subject area exam(s)
• Completion of all major and professional education requirements with a grade of C or better    

        [3.1.3] Level II Exit Requirements

• Minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.5
• Acceptable scores on the summative evaluation of the Level II performance standards based upon the Teacher Performance Outcomes Assessment (TPOA) and supported by the professional portfolio
• Submission of scores on the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching or subject-specific pedagogy exam
• Completion of Internship II with a grade of C or better
• Successful completion of the Praxis II subject area exam(s)
• Successful completion of all Key Assessments

       [3.1.4] Program Exit Requirements

• Baccalaureate degree
• Minimum cumulative and major GPA of 2.5
• Successful completion of the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Teaching or subject-specific pedagogy exam

[3.2] Retention in Teacher Education

Following acceptance to a teacher preparation program, a candidate's good standing will be reviewed before admission to Level II and upon completion of Level II and possibly revoked by program faculty if

1. The candidate fails to exhibit responsible and professional behavior in all classes, field experiences, and interactions with peers and faculty, as judged by the program faculty, mentor teachers, and other school personnel.
2. The candidate violates the student code of conduct or criminal law.
3. The candidate earns a grade less than C in any required lower or upper division course in the candidate's major.
4. The candidate's UCA GPA falls below 2.5.
5. The candidate fails to meet the required course or program prerequisites, especially for field-based teaching methods courses and internships.
6. The candidate's knowledge, skills, and dispositions are judged by two or more faculty instructors and/or mentor teachers to be unsatisfactory.
7. The candidate does not complete an internship satisfactorily.

A formal review by the program faculty will occur before a candidate will be allowed to enroll in internships. The outcomes of this review will determine whether the candidate will be permitted to continue in the teacher preparation program. The review may result in a remediation plan rather than dismissal. Decisions to remove a candidate from the teacher education program will be made by the program faculty and forwarded by the Program Coordinator to the Department Chair, the appropriate representative in Candidate Services and Field Experience, and the Assistant to the Dean in the College of Education.

        [3.2.1] Retention in Field Experiences/Internship

A candidate may be removed from a field experience when any of the following occurs:

1. The appropriate school authority states that the teacher education candidate's presence in the classroom is not in the best interest of the public school's students and/or requests that the teacher preparation candidate be removed.
2. The joint decision of the appropriate Program Coordinator and Department Chair in consultation with the appropriate representative in Candidate Services and Field Experience, Mentor Teacher, and University Supervisor states that the circumstances are such as to prevent the development and/or maintenance of a satisfactory learning environment.
3. The candidate exhibits unprofessional/unethical behavior.
4. A decision has been reached that the teacher education candidate cannot receive a satisfactory grade in a field experience course.

        [3.2.2] Placement Decisions

Academic program areas and the appropriate representative in Candidate Services and Field Experience will determine field placements (including Internship I and II). Exceptions to the placement policy will not be made.

        [3.2.3] Appeals of Admission and Retention Decisions

If the candidate so desires, he/she may submit a formal appeal of an admission, retention, or placement decision. In such a situation, a candidate can only initiate an appeal after seeking resolution with the program's department chair. An appeal must be based on exceptional and extenuating circumstances and other pertinent information not previously available or considered. A formal appeal must be submitted in writing to the Dean of the College of Education (COE) within five business days of being notified of admission, retention, or placement status. The COE Dean will transmit the appeal to the Standard 1 Standing Committee. The candidate may appeal to the COE Dean, in writing, within five business days of the committee's decision. The candidate may appeal to the Provost, in writing, within five business days of the Dean's decision.

[4] Courses in Education (EDUC)

Follow this link for EDUC course descriptions: course link.