Nov 21, 2024

Lee University Catalog_2024-2025

Helen DeVos College of Education

William E. Estes, Dean

Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education
Jorge A. Sandoval, Chairperson

Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Secondary Education
Mikaele Iosia, Chairperson

Undergraduate Studies in the Helen DeVos College of Education

The Helen DeVos College of Education seeks to promote practices and programs that facilitate teaching and learning. This occurs in the classroom and outside of the classroom through modeling best practice, encouraging experimentation and innovation, research, and facilitating programs that positively affect the learner in his/her environment.

At the heart of the Helen DeVos College of Education is the Teacher Education Program, which is the mechanism that governs all teacher preparation and licensure programs. Thus, the College collaborates with other departments on campus to provide a broad-based curriculum of liberal arts, specialty area study and professional education. Experiential learning is highly valued as students construct understandings and develop problem solving skills in the context of real-world situations. The Helen DeVos College of Education at Lee University is currently a member in good standing wtih the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) as it pursues the initial Accredidation Pathway during the 2024-25 year. All initial and advanced teacher education programs are approved through the Tennessee State Department of Education.

The Helen DeVos College of Education includes the Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education and the Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Secondary Education.

The Department of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education offers majors in Human Development, Early Childhood, Middle Grades Education, Interdisciplinary Studies (Elementary Education) and Special Education. The department offers minors in Special Education and Deaf Studies. The faculty of this department collaborate with the faculty of the respective discipline specialties and staff the courses of the professional studies sequences for each of the curricula.

The Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Secondary Education offers majors in Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, and Sports Management. The department also offers minors in Exercise Science, Recreation, and Coaching, as well as the professional education courses required for secondary education majors.

Students desiring to teach in the elementary grades should select a major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Middle Grades Education, or Early Childhood. Students desiring to teach on the secondary level should select a major in the academic departments’ sections of this catalog.

Teacher Education Program

The mission of the Lee University Teacher Education Program is to prepare candidates who are Lifelong learners, Effective educators, and Ethical practitioners. The objective is to produce teachers who (1) display a broad general background in liberal education, (2) demonstrate thorough preparation in specific academic disciplines, (3) plan and teach effectively, and (4) view teaching as an area of Christian service.

Official Acceptance into the Teacher Education Program

All candidates who desire to prepare for teaching are required to apply for and be accepted into the Teacher Education Program. Applications may be filed after completing EDUC-199 or MUED-225 but no later than ELED/EDMG/SCED-340- Principles of Instruction. Application forms may also be obtained in the office of the Director of Teacher Education. Students must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program PRIOR to entering ELED/EDMG/SCED-340 Principles of Instruction. Requirements for acceptance into the Teacher Education Program are as follows:

Academic Achievement
1. Have completed 30 hours in general education plus EDUC-199 or MUED-225 for Music Education (including 20 clock hours of observation).
2. Have a 2.75 average for all courses completed.
3. Have a 2.75 average in the specialty area courses completed.
4. Have a 2.75 average in the professional education courses completed.
5. Have a 2.75 average in English Composition courses with no grade below C.
6. Have a 2.75 average in all required math courses.
7. Have a 2.75 average in each emphasis area (Middle Grades license).
8. Have no grades below “C” in the professional education courses.
9. Satisfactory scores on Core Academic Skills for Educators assessment (minimum scores of Mathematics 150, Reading 156 and Writing 162). Candidates may be exempt from taking Core tests if ACT/RSAT scores are: Enhanced ACT ≥ 21 or above/RSAT ≥ 1080 or above.
Personal-Social-Physical Status
1. Satisfactory ratings from the University Health Clinic.
2. Recommendations from three full-time Lee University professors who are well-acquainted with the candidate, but other than the advisor.
3. Statement from the Director of Student Conduct concerning disciplinary status.
4. Satisfactory results from a hearing test.
5. Satisfactory background check and fingerprinting (TBI/FBI database).
6. Have satisfactory ratings on three Interview Forms: one from a cooperating teacher, one from an advisor, and one from the EDUC-199 or MUED-225 instructor.

Upon meeting all requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program and submission of all required paperwork, the Teacher Education Committee reviews all information related to the candidate.

A majority vote of the Teacher Education Committee prevails when applications for the Teacher Education Program are considered. Once the Teacher Education Committee meets and has approved the applicant for admission, the candidate is admitted to the Teacher Education Program. The candidate is informed in writing of the Committee’s decision to accept or deny the applicant.

If an applicant is denied admission to the Teacher Education Program, he/she may appeal the Teacher Education Committee’s decision by requesting to appear before the Committee. There is no appeal beyond the Teacher Education Committee.

TEACHER EDUCATION CANDIDATES MUST COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR PROGRAM OF STUDIES AS SHOWN IN THE CATALOG AT THE TIME THEY ARE OFFICIALLY AND COMPLETELY ADMITTED TO THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM, SUBJECT TO CHANGES MADE IN LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS BY THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Official Acceptance to Student Teaching

Lee University has entered into cooperative agreements with Cleveland City Schools, Bradley County Schools, Hamilton County Schools and several other school systems for the placement of student teachers in selected classrooms.

Student teachers are required to attend the public school on the schedule followed by the cooperating teachers. A minimum of 15 weeks of observation, responsible participation, and teaching is required of each candidate. There is no provision for early completion of the experience. Student teaching and seminars carry a total of 12 semester hours credit. No other courses may be taken during the student teaching semester. Application for Student Teaching must be filed by March 1 for the Fall Semester and October 1 for the Spring Semester and are generally completed while enrolled in methods courses, or they may be obtained in the office of the Director of Teacher Education.

For admission to the clinical semester, (student teaching) the candidate must have fulfilled the following requirements:

Full admission to the Teacher Education Program (i.e., all conditions relative to admission satisfied and maintained).
Pass all required parts of the Praxis or NES Subject Assessments.
Satisfactory completion of all professional education course with a minimum GPA of 2.75 and no grade below a C.
Satisfactory completion of required methods courses before engaging in student teaching.
Satisfactory completion of at least 80 percent of course work in the teaching area (major).
Satisfactory evaluation of pre-professional school-based field experiences.
Recommendation from the Director of Teacher Education.
Membership in an education club during senior year is highly recommended.
Pass Piano Proficiency (Music Education majors).

Graduation Requirements

Satisfactorily complete required courses, lab experiences and clinical experience.
Maintain the standards for admission to the program.
Successfully complete edTPA during the student teacher semester.

COMPLETION OF THE SPECIFIED COURSES IN THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM DOES NOT GUARANTEE A RECOMMENDATION FOR LICENSURE AND/OR A TEACHING POSITION.

Programs of Study

The Helen DeVos College of Education offers the following teacher licensure programs:

Human Development/Early Childhood, PreK-3 Teacher Licensure (ECHED.BST)

Human Development/Early Childhood and Interdisciplinary Studies, PreK-3 and K-5 Teacher Licensure (ECIDS.BST)

Integrated Early Childhood Education, PreK-3 Teacher Licensure (ECSPE.BST)

Interdisciplinary Studies, K-5 Teacher Licensure (IDSTU.BST)

Middle Grades, English/Language Arts and Mathematics, 6-8 Licensure (MGEMA.BST)

Middle Grades, English/Language Arts and Science, 6-8 Licensure (MGESC.BST)

Middle Grades, English/Language Arts and Social Studies, 6-8 Licensure (MGESS.BST)

Middle Grades, Mathematics and Science, 6-8 Licensure (MGMSC.BST)

Middle Grades, Mathematics and Social Studies, 6-8 Licensure (MGMSS.BST)

Middle Grades, Science and Social Studies, 6-8 Licensure (MGSSS.BST)

Special Education, Comprehensive Disabilities, K-12 Licensure (SPEDC.BST)

Special Education, Interventionist I, K-8 Teacher Licensure (SPEDE.BST)

Special Education, Interventionist II, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (SPEDS.BST)

Special Education, Interventionist I, K-8 and Interventionist II, Grades 6-12 Dual Licensure (SPEDD.BST)

Special Education, Early Childhood, Pre-K-3 Licensure (SPEDP.BST)

The Helen DeVos College of Education and the other academic departments/schools cooperate to offer additional teacher licensure programs of study. These programs are fully described in this catalog in the section of the respective sponsoring department or school.

Art, K-12 Teacher Licensure (ARTSV.BST)

Biological Science, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (BIOLS.BST)

Business Administration (Business Education/Corporate Training) Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure in Business and Business Technology (BUSED.BST)

Chemistry, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (CHEMS.BST)

Communication Studies, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (COMST.BST)

English, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (ENGLI.BAT)

History, Political Science Emphasis, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (HSTRY.BST)

History, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (HSTRY.BAT)

Mathematics, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (MATHS.BST)

Music Education, Instrumental Non-Keyboard, K-12 Teacher Licensure (MUSIA.BME)

Music Education, Vocal/General, K-12 Teacher Licensure (MUSVA.BME)

Music Education, Vocal/General, K-12 Teacher Licensure, Piano Emphasis (MUSKA.BME)

Music Education, Instrumental, K-12 Teacher Licensure, Piano Emphasis (MUSKI.BME)

Psychology, Grades 9-12 Teacher Licensure (PSYCH.BAT)

Spanish, Grades 6-12 Teacher Licensure (SPNSH.BAT)

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, PreK-12 Teacher Licensure (TESOL.BAT)

Theatre Education, K-12 Teacher Licensure (THEAT.BAT)

Additional Endorsements

Teacher Education Program students may take additional courses and obtain teaching licenses in more than one area. Information about these programs may be obtained in the Teacher Education Office.

Display courses for this school/college.