Education

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Associate Professor K. Brown (Chair); Professor McGlinn; Associate Professors Ruppert, Sidelnick; Assistant Professors Adcock, Ruffin; Lecturers Chapman, Crave; Director of Teaching Fellows Davis; Technology Coordinator Randall; Outreach Coordinator Kessaris; Recruitment and Retention Coordinator Martinez; Field Placement Coordinator Bodenheimer

The UNC Asheville Teacher Education Program, approved by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), requires completion of a disciplinary major and offers professional education courses required to qualify for North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure in the K-6, 6-9, 9-12 and K-12 areas listed below.

All students taking Education courses must purchase a criminal background check and receive a satisfactory report before beginning work in field experience courses. Students should consult the Department of Education Policies and Procedures Manual for specific information related to obtaining North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure through UNC Asheville. Visit http://education.unca.edu for additional information.

Areas of Licensure and Required Majors

The Department of Education is accredited to recommend candidates for licensure in the following areas.

• Elementary Education (K–6)
• Middle School (6–9): Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies
• Secondary Education (9–12): Biology, Chemistry, Comprehensive Science, Earth Science, English, Latin, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies
• Kindergarten–12 (K­–12): Art, Foreign Language (French, German and Spanish), Health and Physical Education, Theatre Arts

Candidates receiving K-12 or 9-12 licensure must complete a specific disciplinary major, which is the core for their licensure area. Middle school licensure candidates (6–9) must complete a major in an appropriate academic discipline, and must complete coursework specific for licensure in one of the following areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science or Social Studies. Candidates desiring to teach at the K–6 level may major in any area.

Teacher Education Informal Admission

Once enrolled at UNC Asheville, students interested in teacher licensure should contact the Department of Education to request informal admission to the Teacher Education Program and receive a departmental advisor assignment. They must meet with their advisor upon first interest in the program and at least once each semester thereafter. The advisor will determine if prior course work is applicable to requirements and will develop a plan of study for all courses necessary for licensure.

Teacher Education Formal Admission

For formal admission to the Teacher Education Program, students must complete the following requirements.   

• Earn at least 30 semester hours and complete at least 3 semesters of post-secondary education
• Achieve a grade of C or higher in EDUC 210  and a grade of Satisfactory in EDUC 211  
• Earn a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average
• Earn a 2.5 cumulative grade-point average on all course work within the major
• Post-baccalaureate students (excluding those seeking K-6 licensure) must attain passing scores on all state-required licensure exams for the desired licensure area(s)
• Undergraduate students must attain acceptable scores as established by the NCDPI on the SAT or ACT, or the PRAXIS I Core Academic Skills for Educators (see appropriate Education advisor  for more information)
• Have a satisfactory evaluation on the abilities/characteristics listed on the Dispositions Checklist administered in EDUC 210 and other relevant courses
• Have a satisfactory evaluation of performance in all field experiences
• Self-report any new criminal charges and/or convictions occurring between the criminal background check before the first field experience and completion of the licensure program

Mandated Qualifying Examinations

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction mandates that all candidates have acceptable scores on the SAT, ACT, or PRAXIS I Core Academic Skills for Educators before being granted formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. Candidates needing Praxis I are expected to take it during the first semester of their licensure program. Passing scores on all state-required licensure exams are required for all candidates seeking licensure.

Licensure for Post-Baccalaureate Candidates

The department offers opportunities for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees or higher and desiring (a) initial North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure, (b) licensure in another area, (c) renewal credits, or (d) fulfillment of lateral entry or Regional Alternative Licensure Center (RALC) requirements. Admission to the university requires a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher. 

Post-baccalaureate candidates must meet the same requirements as other UNC Asheville candidates, including having acceptable scores on all state-required licensure exams for the desired licensure area(s), and having a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5.

Post-baccalaureate students entering from an undergraduate institution that does not award letter grades or quality points must meet with an Education advisor prior to beginning their licensure program to design a plan of study that includes completion of at least 9 semester hours of non-Education related courses. A grade of C or higher must be earned in each course, and the student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

Requirements for Continuing in the Program

Once formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program, candidates for licensure must demonstrate at least satisfactory achievement in the areas of content knowledge, pedagogy and professionalism by completing the following minimum requirements.

• Receive a grade of C or better in all Education courses and PSYC 319  (a C or better in MATH 211  and 215  is also required if completing K-6 licensure)
• Have satisfactory evaluations on the Dispositions Checklist in relevant courses
• Have satisfactory evaluations of performance in all field experiences
• Self-report any new criminal charges and/or convictions occurring between the criminal background check before the first field experience and completion of the licensure program

Clinical Practice

To be admitted to the Clinical Practice Semester, candidates must be eligible for continuation in the program and complete the following requirements.

• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Have completed the requirements for a major in an approved discipline with a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the major courses
• Have completed state-required Evidences 2 and 3
• Have purchased an updated criminal background check and received a satisfactory report during their capstone methods course
• Have a satisfactory evaluation on the field experience in the capstone methods course
• Have completed a Clinical Practice Application (including personal statement and health screening) signed by the Education advisor, and submitted it to the Coordinator of Field Placements no later than the announced deadline during the semester prior to beginning Clinical Practice

Recommendation for North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure

Prior to being recommended for licensure, candidates must successfully complete the Clinical Practice experience, receiving a rating of “Met” on all standards on the Evaluation by North Carolina Local Education Agency (Certification of Teaching Capacity) form, complete state-required Evidences 5 and 6, and attain passing scores on all state-required licensure exams for the desired licensure area (s).

Candidate Requirements

Candidates must meet the following requirements before they can be recommended for licensure.

• Complete an online Informal Admission Form during their first department course
• Complete a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the potential effect criminal convictions may have on those seeking licensure during their first department course
• Purchase a criminal background check and receive a satisfactory report before beginning the first field experience course
• Self-report any new criminal charges and/or convictions throughout their matriculation in the licensure program
• Complete the Requirements for Licensure Contract for formal admission to the Teacher Education program with their Education advisor
• Complete a Placement Request for the Professional Year, including personal statement and satisfactory criminal background check, signed by the Education advisor and submitted to the Coordinator of Field Placements during an individual meeting no later than the announced deadline during the semester prior to beginning the Professional Year
• Achieve at least a 2.5 GPA both overall and in their major courses for admission to Clinical Practice and recommendation for North Carolina Standard Professional I Teaching Licensure
• Complete a Clinical Practice Application (including personal statement and health screening) signed by the Education advisor and submitted to the Coordinator of Field Placements no later than the announced deadline during the semester prior to beginning student teaching
• Receive a satisfactory rating on the Evaluation by North Carolina Local Education Agency (Certification of Teaching Capacity) upon completion of student teaching.
• Ensure all appropriate licensure forms and fees are submitted to the department upon completion of student teaching

Education Department Programs

Education

Programs

• •  Elementary School Licensure (K–6)
• •  Middle School Licensure (6–9)
• •  Secondary School Licensure (9–12)
• •  Art Licensure (K-12)
• •  Foreign Language Licensure (K–12)
• •  Health and Physical Education Licensure (K-12)
• •  Theatre Arts Licensure (K–12)