Four Year Programs Leading to B.S. Degrees
Requirements for teachers within Indiana and nationally are changing. Students pursuing degrees focused on teacher education should communicate frequently with their advisors to plan their programs consistent with the most recent requirements.
Vincennes University has been authorized by the Indiana Commission of Higher Education (ICHE) to offer three selected four-year teacher education programs: Special Education, Mild Intervention, Elementary; Secondary Math Education; and Secondary Science Education.
The Special Education, Mild Intervention, Elementary teacher education program is a course of study that leads to dual licensure in Special Education (Mild Intervention) and Elementary Education, Grades K- 6. The Special Education Mild Interventions license includes teaching students with learning disabilities, emotional disabilities, and mild mental disabilities. Students must be admitted into the Special Education Mild Intervention, Elementary Teacher program and into Student Teaching.
The Secondary Science program is designed for those planning to complete a bachelor’s degree leading to licensure as secondary teachers of science. Licensure will be available in the following content areas: Chemistry, Earth and Space, Biology, Physical Science, and Physics. Students must be admitted into the Science Education program and into Student Teaching.
The Secondary Mathematics program is designed for those planning to complete a bachelor’s degree leading to licensure as secondary teachers of mathematics. Students must be admitted into the Mathematics Education program and into Student Teaching.
The Vincennes University education programs have been approved by the Division of Professional Standards at the Indiana Department of Education. In addition, the course work follows general guidelines as set forth by the Administrative Rules of the Indiana State Board of Education (Rules 2002), prepared by the Indiana Department of Public Instruction. The Department of Public Instruction, Division of Teacher Certification, will ultimately issue the license permitting the holder to be employed as a teacher in the state of Indiana.
During the first two years of the Teacher Education program, students work toward completing General Education requirements, Liberal Education courses, and Education core courses. Students must complete all Education Core courses before being admitted to the Teacher Education program. Formal admission to the program commences in the spring semester of the sophomore year by submitting an application to the Teacher Education program. Formal admission to the program commences in the spring semester of the sophomore year. All prospective students must submit an application to the Teacher Education program.
The following provides a description of the Special Education Gateways:
Gateway One: Pre-Admission to Education
- Passing scores (Indiana) on Praxis I
- Reading: 176
- Mathematics: 175
- Writing: 172
- GPA of 2.75 in major program requirements for Semester I and II
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Satisfactory criminal history report
Gateway Two: Admission to Teacher Education
- Submission of an application to the Teacher Education Program
- Passing scores (Indiana) on Praxis I
- Completion of all 100 and 200 level education courses
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- GPA of 2.75 or higher in education core classes: EDUC 200 , EDUC 242 , EDUC 290 , EDUC 291 , EDUC 292 with no grade lower than a “C” and no Incomplete grade (“I”) in any education coursework
- Satisfactory assessment of initial portfolio by education faculty members (EDUC 290 )
- Satisfactory updated criminal history report
- Satisfactory performance evaluations from field experiences (EDUC 290 )
- Satisfactory rating on dispositional evaluations from supervisors of field experiences and core course instructors
- Signed recommendation form from advisor
Gateway Three: Admission to Student Teaching
- Submission of an application for the student teaching experience
- Completion of all prerequisite education coursework
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- GPA of 2.75 or higher on education coursework with no grade lower than a “C” and no incomplete grade (“I”) in any education course
- Continued satisfactory ratings on dispositional evaluations from select methods courses
- Satisfactory updated criminal history report
Note: Students must attend a mandatory student teacher preparation meeting after admission to student teaching
Gateway Four: Program Completion and Indiana State Licensure
- Successful completion of student teaching in both the Elementary and Special Education placements
- Passing scores (at Indiana licensure level) on the Praxis II
- Satisfactory completion of Teacher Education Portfolio on LiveText
- Completion of the application materials for an Indiana teaching license
- Submission of a satisfactory updated criminal history report
- Current certification in the Heimlich Maneuver and CPR
The following provides a description of the Math and Science Education Gateways:
Gateway One: Pre-Admission to Education
- Passing scores (Indiana) on Praxis I
- Reading: 176
- Mathematics: 175
- Writing: 172
- GPA of 2.75 in major program requirements for Semesters I and II
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Satisfactory criminal history report
Gateway Two: Admission to Teacher Education
- Submission of an application to the Teacher Education Program
- Passing scores (Indiana) on Praxis I
- Completion of all 100 and 200 level education courses
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- GPA of 2.75 or higher in education core classes: EDUC 200 , EDUC 218 , EDUC 290 , EDUC 291 , EDUC 292 with no grade lower than a “C” and no Incomplete grade (“I”) in any education coursework
- For the Secondary Science program, GPA of 2.75 or higher in Semester I through IV General Science Core and Concentration courses with no grade lower than a “C” and no Incomplete grade (“I”) in any General Science Core or Concentration courses
- For the Secondary Mathematics program, GPA of 2.75 or higher in Semester I through IV Major Program Requirements courses with no grade lower than a “C” and no Incomplete grade (“I”) in any Major Program Requirement courses
- Satisfactory assessment of initial portfolio by education faculty members (EDUC 290 )
- Satisfactory updated criminal history report
- Satisfactory performance evaluations from field experience (EDUC 290 )
- Satisfactory rating on dispositional evaluations from supervisors of field experiences and core course instructors
- Signed recommendation form from advisor
Gateway Three: Admission to Student Teaching
- Submission of an application for the student teaching experience
- Completion of all prerequisite education coursework
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- GPA of 2.75 or higher on education coursework with no grade lower than a “C” and no Incomplete grade (“I”) in any education course
- For the Secondary Science program, GPA of 2.75 or higher in General Science Core and Concentration courses with no grade lower than a “C” and no Incomplete grade (“I”) in any General Science Core or Concentration courses
- For the Secondary Mathematics program, GPA of 2.75 or higher in Major Program Requirements courses with no grade lower than a “C” and no Incomplete grade (“I”) in any Major Program Requirement courses
- Continued satisfactory ratings on dispositional evaluations from select methods courses
- Submission of an updated criminal history report
Note: Students must attend a mandatory student teacher preparation meeting after admission to student teaching
Gateway Four: Program Completion and Indiana State Licensure
- Successful completion of student teaching experiences
- Passing scores (at Indiana licensure level) on the Praxis II
- Satisfactory completion of Teacher Education Portfolio on LiveText
- Completion of the application materials for an Indiana teaching license
- Submission of an updated criminal history report
- Current certification in the Heimlich Maneuver and CPR
Each teacher candidate must see his/her advisor for information regarding the criminal history reports. Costs for the reports are the responsibility of the student. The criminal history reports become a part of the teacher candidate’s file and will be reviewed by faculty members of the Education Department.
If the criminal history reports yield any significant findings, a faculty committee will determine the acceptability of the applicant’s criminal history for admission into the teacher education program and/or admission into student teaching. If the applicant is not approved for admission to either the program or student teaching, then the applicant may appeal the decision. The appeal will be reviewed by a committee composed of faculty, the teaching candidate’s advisor, and the Dean of Social Sciences/Performing Arts Division. After considering all the information, the decision regarding termination from either the program or student teaching will be made. The teacher candidate will receive written notification within five calendar days of the meeting. If the student is to be removed from the education program and/or student teaching, the written notification will include the reasons for termination.
Following a successful student teaching experience*, receiving passing scores on the Praxis II, and satisfactory completion of the Teacher Education Portfolio, the teacher candidate may apply for an Indiana teaching license through the Department of Public Instruction, Division of Teacher Certification. State requirements change frequently. In licensing our teacher candidates, Vincennes University does not determine whether the teacher candidate receives a teaching license from the state of Indiana. The state of Indiana will determine whether a candidate receives a license. A candidate must complete all requirements for a bachelor’s degree before the state will grant permission to apply for a teaching license.
Note: EDUC 477 , EDUC 492 , and EDUC 495 (student-teaching courses) are offered on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only.
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