2011-2012 Catalog

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Dr. Ann Calahan,  Head
E.J. Howell Building, Room 320
Box T-0290
(254) 968-9096
http://www.tarleton.edu/teachered

Professor(s):  J.  Burk,  M.  Calahan,  L.  Jones,  H.  Lamb,  W.  Larmer
Associate Professor(s):  M.  Becker,  R.  Ford,  S.  Harris,  L.  Hawke,  M.  Hawke,  S.  Smith,  D.  Sopko,  D.  Taylor,  J.  Weasmer,  P.  Worrell
Assistant Professor(s):  C.  Baker,  M.  Castaneda,  K.  Clark-Goff,  S.  Erwin,  J.  Gentry,  I.  Graves,  D.  Hopkins-Higham,  L.  McAdams,  R.  Miller,  J.  Parham,  M.  Staples
Instructor(s):  J.  McGregor,  M.  Reid

Elementary Certification

The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies as the degree leading to teacher certification at the elementary level of Early Childhood through Grade 6, at the middle school level of Grades 4 through 8, All Level Special Education, and Early Childhood through Grade 6 with Bilingual Certification. Through this degree students choosing early childhood certification obtain a broad-based content preparation with a strong emphasis on language arts and reading. At the middle school level, certification areas include Generalist, Math, Science, Language Arts/Social Studies, and Math/Science. English as a Second Language (ESL) certification is included in the BS Interdisciplinary Studies degree with EC – 6, All Level Special Education, and Middle School certification except for Math/Science. At the graduate level certifications are available for Technology Applications and Master Reading Teacher. Application for admission to the Tarleton Teacher Education Program must be made during the junior year while enrolled in EDU 320. Requirements for admission, retention, and admission to student teaching are described in the College of Education section of this catalog. Prior to enrolling in any teacher education course work, students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of coursework, excluding developmental courses.

Secondary and All-Level Education

Students working toward secondary and all-level certification will pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a major and minor, if applicable, in academic disciplines. Students will also take professional education courses to meet certification requirements. While not offering a major in secondary education, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction does offer the professional development courses required to obtain secondary and all-level certification.

Students obtain academic advisement for secondary and all-level certification programs in the department of their major. Application for admission to the Tarleton Teacher Education Program must be made during the junior year while enrolled in Education 320. Requirements for admission, retention, and admission to student teaching are described in the College of Education section of this catalog. Prior to enrolling in any teacher education course work, students must complete a minimum of 60 hours of coursework excluding developmental courses.

Alternative Certification

The Tarleton Model for Accelerated Teacher Education (TMATE) is an alternative teacher certification program offered in Stephenville and Fort Worth. Its purpose is to prepare highly qualified individuals to serve as public school teachers in Texas. TMATE is a collaborative teacher education program between Tarleton State University and public school districts in the Tarleton service area.

TMATE is an alternative certification program designed for persons who have already completed a baccalaureate degree and who have a record of exemplary academic achievement and/or work experience. Certification is earned through a combination of intensive summer course work coupled with a paid, year-long internship in a teaching position with a public school. The internship is jointly sponsored and supervised by Tarleton State University and the participating school district. Interns develop professional teaching skills and values through the combination of University classes and practical classroom experience.

Through TMATE, teaching certificates may be earned in the following certification areas: Early Childhood – Grade 6; Middle School (grades 4 – 8); and High School (grades 8 – 12); ESL and Bilingual. All-level certifications are available in Generic Special Education, Physical Education, Art, and Music.

TMATE Entry Requirements

TMATE applicants must present a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution with an overall GPA of at least 2.75 in the area of certification.  Applicants must meet the requirements for Graduate School and are eligible to apply their TMATE coursework toward a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Applicants will be evaluated to determine an appropriate level of oral language proficiency and critical thinking ability. Additional evaluation procedures include a structured oral interview, formal writing sample, work evaluations from previous employment, performance on a standardized test of critical thinking, and additional evaluations prescribed by TMATE admission policies.

Concurrent to applying for admission to TMATE, applicants must also apply for a teaching position with a school district within a 125-mile radius of Fort Worth, Killeen, and Stephenville. Thus, applicants are subjected to a dual screening process: one conducted by the University and the other by the school district.

A full description of the TMATE program is provided on the website, www.tarleton.edu/tmate. Applicants may also contact one of the TMATE offices.

Degrees:
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies

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