2015-2016 Brenau University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
College of Education
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Dr. Sandra L. Leslie, Dean
Dr. Eugene Williams, Chair of Initial Certification Programs
Dr. Judith Perry, Chair of Graduate Programs
Please see a detailed list at the end of this section of majors and courses offered by the College of Education.
Please click on the link below for more detailed information.
Undergraduate Education
Transfer Student Policies Students transferring to Brenau from other institutions will receive an evaluation of course work upon application to the university. Approval of the chair of the appropriate department discipline is necessary for each course accepted by Brenau.
Students with bachelor’s degrees may apply to the second baccalaureate degree program. If the student meets the admission requirements, they will be placed in the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) program.
Graduation Requirements Students are urged to review the required institutional graduation requirements described under the Academic Information and Program section of this Catalog as well as requirements within each department and major. Further, all majors are reminded that it is a graduation requirement to complete such standardized tests as may be administered by the department or the institution for purposes of program evaluation. Appropriate notice of dates and locations of testing will be given.
Purpose The College of Education is committed to excellence in preparing persons for work in a wide variety of settings which encourage and enhance life-long learning. The purposes of the school are teaching, service, and research.
The teaching mission of the College of Education is to prepare graduates at all degree levels for careers in education.
The service mission of the College of Education is to provide knowledge through leadership and service, concentrating on relevant educational and social needs at local, regional and state levels.
The research mission of the College of Education is to advance knowledge and best practice by engaging in relevant scholarly activities.
As part of their liberal education curriculum, all students are required to take three semester hours in heath and leisure studies. Evening and online students will take HS 105, Healthy Lifestyle Habits for this requirement. For Women’s College students, a one hour class will be from the women’s health issues courses and another from the lifetime fitness or leisure sports (activity) categories. The third course may be taken from either area.
Lifetime Fitness Requirements
Note: Dance majors may use their major courses to meet two hours of activity courses. Nursing majors may use their major courses to meet two hours of women’s health courses. Students who complete a full season in team sports at Brenau University will receive one hour of academic credit each spring semester for the team sports class. Student athletes will be automatically registered for the class after the drop/add period and credit is awarded on a pass/fail basis. Students can receive one hour per academic year to a maximum of four hours. Team Sports (LF 199) can count toward activity or classroom liberal education requirements, therefore three hours of LF 199 will satisfy the liberal education physical education requirement for graduation.
Initial Teacher Certification
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The teacher education faculty continuously reviews relevant contemporary research on teaching and effective practice in the preparation of educators. After careful consideration of educational principles, the faculty has identified a conceptual model of teacher education at Brenau University that reflects the dynamic process of decision making necessary for quality instruction and optimal learning. This model permeates all courses and activities of teacher education at the university and is articulated in the vision statement, unit goals and unit outcomes.
Vision Statement Education professionals from Brenau University will take active roles in planning, implementing and evaluating effective teaching practices through reflective decisions relating to content, pedagogy and the learner.
Teacher Education Unit Outcomes for Initial Licensure:
- Content and Curriculum - Teachers demonstrate a strong knowledge of content area(s) appropriate for their certification levels. (INTASC 1, C)
- Knowledge of Students and Their Learning - Teachers create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self motivation. (INTASC 2,3,10, L)
- Learning Environments - Teachers create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation (INTASC 3,5,6,10, P, L, R)
- Assessment - Teachers understand and use a range of formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous development of all learners. (INTASC 2,8, P, L, R)
- Planning & Instruction - Teachers design and create instructional experiences based on their knowledge of content and curriculum, students, learning environments and assessment ( INTASC 7,2,4,5, P, L)
- Professionalism - Teachers recognize, participate in and contribute to teaching as a profession. (INTASC 8,9,10, C, L, R)
Career Exploration in Education
Freshmen and sophomores interested in exploring teacher education as a possible major are encouraged to take introductory courses in education.
Courses which may be taken in the first two years are listed below:
Enrolling in courses (not listed above) at the level of 300 and above requires that the student either pass or exempt GACE (Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators) basic skills assessment in reading, mathematics and writing and be admitted to Teacher Education.
Students wishing to discuss careers in teaching are encouraged to talk with faculty and students majoring in education.
Certification Areas / Majors
Brenau’s teacher education programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission in the areas listed below. The unit is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
* These programs are available only on the main campus in Gainesville.
A student wishing to become certified to teach in Georgia must meet several requirements before the Certification Official can recommend certification to the Professional Standards Commission, the state’s certifying authority. The student must be formally admitted into the teacher education program through an application process, must post passing scores on GACE content assessment in the specified field of study and must meet the approved program requirements for the major. It is the student’s responsibility to have GACE scores sent to the university.
A student wishing to meet the certification of another state will need to contact that state’s department of education for its requirements.
Each approved program specifies a common core of professional education courses, which are taught within the College of Education. Each major also has designated concentration courses, some of which are taught by the College and some by the specialized academic area. A grade lower than C in professional education courses or concentration courses is not acceptable for certification purposes.
Students must have attained passing or exempting scores on the GACE Program Admission Assessment in order to enroll in education courses above the 200 level. It is the responsibility of the student to attend to this requirement before attempting to register for any education coursework required for admission to Teacher Education.
Once students have passed the GACE Program Admission Assessment and enrolled in their initial coursework, they must be formally accepted into the teacher education program in order to continue education coursework. Admission into the program is a requirement for pursuing a degree in education or a recommendation from the university for certification. Students should be aware that admission to the university does not constitute admission to the teacher education program.
Criteria for Admission to Teacher Education In order to apply for admission to the teacher education program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Completion of 11 hours in major including ED 200, ED 206 and ED 208
- A 2.75 cumulative grade point average.
- Achieve and maintain a 2.75 major grade point average.
- Passing score on the GACE Basic Skills Test unless exempting scores on the SAT (1000), GRE (1030) or ACT (43) have been achieved. Original reports of scores from Educational Testing Service must be examined by the advisor for verification.
- Advisor approval for admission to Teacher Education.
Students must submit the following documentation with the application:
- Acceptable Disposition Evaluation Form from the observation experience in ED 200.
- Scored rubric from Philosophy of Education.
- Rubric documenting passing score on Brenau University Speaking Skills Assessment.
- Rubric documenting passing score on Brenau University Writing Skills Assessment. Students are responsible for obtaining these documents from the appropriate course instructor.
Please note that formal acceptance to teacher education is a requirement for students enrolling in most upper-division education classes. Thus, students should plan to meet the above criteria and apply for admission during their first full-time semester. Students should consult their advisor for additional information.
It is the student’s responsibility to work with the advisor in ensuring that the application process for admission to the teacher education program is completed on time. Once all the requirements are met, the advisor recommends to the Teacher Education Committee acceptance of the candidate. The student is informed of his/her admission status through written notification. Upon admission to the teacher education program, students must meet the approved program requirements as outlined in the Brenau Catalog including maintaining the required cumulative and major course grade point averages.
Field and Clinical Experience Field and clinical experiences are a part of the student’s approved program and are required by the Professional Standards Commission (PSC). They exist as components of particular courses, and as the culminating demonstration of student performance in the student teaching experience. Students should be aware that this participation in elementary, middle or secondary school settings appropriate to the area of specialization is an essential part of teacher education.
Students must submit a completed Field Experience or Student Teaching Placement Request to the Clinical Field Experiences Office by the deadline for each semester. Placement is determined by the Director of Clinical Experiences. The deadline for Field Experience and Student Teaching Placement Requests is firm and late applications are not accepted.
CLEP Policy Only six semester hours of credit by CLEP exam may be used in the major. This would be included in the total of 27 hours of alternative credit allowed by the university.
Experiential Credit Policy A student requesting academic credit for SE 300 Teaching Learners with Special Needs, ED 345 Literacy Concepts or ED 301 Instructional Technology taken from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved staff development program must complete an application form for experiential credit and attach an official transcript containing the PLU credit. For ED 301, a student must attach a copy of INTECH certificate or the state competency test report.
Electronic Portfolio Policy The Teacher Education Program requires each candidate to create an electronic portfolio. It is designed to present a personal record of a candidate’s educational experiences, while demonstrating mastery of the desired outcomes. The purchase of electronic portfolio software is required for all of the students enrolled in the undergraduate teacher education programs. Students are asked to collect artifacts (examples of assignments) that best demonstrates their proficiency and mastery of the College of Education unit outcomes. Students are expected to provide their reflection and rationale for linking each artifact to the unit outcomes for two of the check points in their program: Checkpoint #2 (when submitting student teaching application); and Checkpoint #3 (at the end of student teaching). Checkpoint #1 takes place when a candidate submits the application for admission to the teacher education program; and the use of the electronic portfolio will not apply to checkpoint #1.
Student Teaching Policy Student teaching is for a full semester and is considered a full-time load and pre-professional experience that requires responsibilities above and beyond the normal college course load. A student’s college supervisor may request a student to withdraw from college and community activities if these interfere with student teaching. GACE Content Assessment must be passed prior to student teaching placement.
Transfer Student Policies A student wishing to transfer from a two year institution to Brenau may expect six hours of introductory education coursework to transfer. Permission for all other education courses to transfer should be obtained from the dean or department chair. A student transferring to Brenau from other institutions will receive an evaluation of course work upon admission to the university. Admission to Brenau University does not constitute admission to the teacher education program.
Transfer students should submit passing GACE Program Admission Assessment scores, exempting SAT/GRE/or SAT scores or PRAXIS I scores (if PRAXIS I is passed prior to Sept. 1, 2006) with their application for admission to the university, as they may not enroll in education courses above the 200 level without passing scores. Scores from the SAT, GRE or ACT may exempt the student from taking the GACE Program Admission Assessment. See an education advisor or the department for details.
Graduate Teacher Education
Criteria for Admission to Teacher Education In order to apply for admission to the teacher education program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Completion of 8 hours in major including ED 500, ED 605 and ED 612.
- A 2.75 cumulative grade point average for all coursework completed.
- Achieve and maintain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in professional education coursework.
- Passing score on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or an exempting score on the SAT (1000), GRE (1030) or ACT (43) have been achieved. Original reports of scores from the Education Testing Service (ETS) must be examined by the advisor for verification.
- Unless exempting scores on the SAT, GRE or ACT have been achieved. Original reports of scores from Educational Testing Service must be examined by the advisor for verification.
Students must submit the following documentation with the application-submitted through LiveText:
- Acceptable teacher evaluation from first developmental field experience, including Brenau Assessment of Dispositions (BAD).
- Scored rubric from Philosophy of Education.
- Rubric documenting passing score on Brenau University Speaking Skills Assessment.
- Rubric documenting passing score on Brenau University Writing Skills Assessment.
*Please note that formal acceptance to teacher education is a requirement for students enrolling in education classes. Thus, students should plan to meet the above criteria and apply for admission to teacher education during their first full-time semester. Students should consult their advisor for additional information.
Field experiences are a part of the student’s approved program and exist as components of particular courses, and as the culminating demonstration of student performance in the student teaching experience. Students should be aware that participation in elementary, middle or secondary school programs appropriate to the area of specialization is an essential part of teacher education, with time allocated to this endeavor.
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Information
The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) is an initial certification program designed for candidates who have completed the baccalaureate degree in specific majors.
Generally, applicants for the M.A.T. program are expected to meet the stated admissions requirements. However, Brenau may consider an applicant who does not meet [all] stated requirements, but who, in the opinion of the appropriate department, may be a good candidate for admission to the University.
Coursework taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher education will be considered for transfer. This credit will have to match the courses in Brenau’s M.A.T. curriculum. A maximum of six hours of work with a grade of B or above will be considered.
Admission Criteria In addition to any general admission criteria outlined in the graduate admissions section of this catalog, the M.A.T. applicant must have and/or submit:
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Preferred cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and submission of official transcripts from all previously attended institutions beyond high school (transcripts must be come directly from the institutions attended).
- Submission of Graduate test scores: MAT, GRE, content area GRE, MCAT, or LSAT at the 25th percentile or better. There is a 10 year age limit on scores.
- Electronic writing sample that will be evaluated by a faculty member. The writing sample must be passed for admission.
- Two letters of reference from current scores. If the applicant is working in in a school, one reference must be an administrator in the school where the applicant is employed.
- Must pass the GACE Program Admission Assessment or be exempt.
- MAT secondary students must pass the GACE exam in their area.
College of Education Advanced Education Programs
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Master of Education:
Purpose The master of education (M.Ed.) program is designed to develop and enhance proficiency and professionalism among practicing teachers. All advanced education programs are offered by the Department of Advanced Education in the College of Education.
Teacher Education The teacher education faculty continuously reviews relevant contemporary research on teaching and effective practice in the preparation of educators. After careful consideration of educational principles, the faculty has identified a conceptual model of teacher education at Brenau University that reflects the dynamic process of decision making necessary for quality instruction and optimal learning. This model permeates all courses and activities of teacher education at the university and is articulated in the vision statement and unit outcomes.
Vision Statement Education Professionals from Brenau University will take active roles in planning, implementing, and evaluating effective teaching practices through reflective decisions relating to content, pedagogy, and the learner.
Teacher Education Unit Outcomes for Advanced Programs:
- Content and Curriculum - Teachers demonstrate a strong knowledge of content areas(s) appropriate for their certification levels. (INTASC 1; NBPTS 2; C)
- Knowledge of Students & Their Learning - Teachers support the intellectual, social, physical and personal development of all students (INTASC 2,3,10; NBPTS 1; L)
- Learning Environments - Teachers create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation. (INTASC 3,5,6,10; NBPTS 3; P, L, R)
- Assessment - Teachers understand and use a range of formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous development of all learners. (INTASC 2,8; NBPTS 3; P, L, R)
- Planning and Instruction - Teachers design and create instructional experiences based on their knowledge of content and curriculum, students, learning environments and assessment. (INTASC 2,4,5,7; NBPTS 2,3,5; P, L)
- Professionalism - Teachers recognize, participate in and contribute to teaching as a profession. (INTASC 8,9,10; NBPTS 4,5; C, L, R)
Admission Criteria
Note: Coursework taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher education will be considered for transfer. This credit will have to match the courses in Brenau’s M.Ed. curriculum. A maximum of six hours of work with a grade of B or above will be considered.
In addition to any general admission criteria outlined in the graduate admissions section of this catalog, the M.Ed. early childhood education applicant must have and/or submit:
- Must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation, as documented via official transcripts
- Must hold a current clear and renewable certificate in early childhood education or elementary education
- Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for prior college level coursework
- Applicants who do not meet the requirement of a 2.75 GPA may be considered for application based upon review by the College of Education
- Must have two years of full-time work experience as evidenced by a resume
- Applicants may be considered for admission as further defined in the Admissions Policies and Transfer of Credit Agreement
In addition to any general admission criteria outlined in the graduate admissions section of this catalog, the M.Ed. middle grades education applicant must have and/or submit:
- Must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation, as documented via official transcripts
- Must hold a current clear and renewable certificate in middle grades education for at least one of the concentrations that they will pursue as part of the M.Ed. degree
- Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for prior college level coursework
- Applicants who do not meet the requirement of a 2.75 GPA may be considered for application based upon review by the College of Education
- Must have two years of full-time work experience as evidenced by a resume
- Applicants may be considered for admission as further defined in the Admissions Policies and Transfer of Credit Agreement
In addition to any general admission criteria outlined in the graduate admissions section of this catalog, the M.Ed. Special Education applicant must have and/or submit:
- Must have an earned bachelor’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation, as documented via official transcripts
- Must hold a current clear and renewable certificate in special education
- Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for prior college level coursework
- Applicants who do not meet the requirement of a 2.75 GPA may be considered for application based upon review by the College of Education
- Must have two years of full-time work experience as evidenced by a resume
- Applicants may be considered for admission as further defined in the Admissions Policies and Transfer of Credit Agreement
Special Status Students
Students may enroll in the College of Education in a non-degree seeking status for several reasons:
Teachers who are or have been certified by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and need three or six hours of graduate credit for certification renewal. This recency of study requirement must be met based on an individual assessment. If the student is employed, this is done by a representative from the local system. However, if the student is not currently teaching, the assessment is completed by the advisor.
A person who has a valid or expired teaching certificate from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and wishes to change certification fields must have a letter of evaluation from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. This situation often involves an internship or practicum. In such cases all required courses must be taken with Brenau and all forms and requirements must be met. Students will need to contact the chair of advanced education programs, through their advisor, for specifics relative to requirements.
Certificate Endorsements
Brenau’s College of Education is approved to offer courses for the addition of endorsement areas to existing professional and associate professional certificates issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. A detailed list of certificate endorsements available are listed at the end of this section.
Capstone Activity
The Capstone Activity is designed to provide students with opportunities to demonstrate the skills of synthesis, integration, and application of the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of the graduate program. This demonstration is accomplished through the comprehensive examination. Comprehensive exams will be taken as the last class in which the student is enrolled.
Note: College of Education permission required to take this course; students cannot register themselves. The department will register students for the comprehensive exam once they have been cleared to take the exam by their advisor.
Grades for the comprehensive exams are as follows:
- P (pass) Student exhibits a knowledge base reflective of a graduate student and is able to present the desired materials with requisite skill.
- I (incomplete) The student failed to satisfy the minimum requirements reflected in the examination. In such situations, the student will not be permitted to complete the program until the conditions of remediation are fulfilled to the satisfaction of the chair of advanced programs.
- F (fail) The student does not exhibit the knowledge base necessary to evidence a minimal level of mastery of the subject matter and/or competency in the skills and abilities necessary to execute the comprehensive examination. The student will not graduate and be removed from the program.
Comprehensive Exam Policy
Students must complete their comprehensive exam on the scheduled date online and uphold the Brenau Honor Code.
Students will be notified of the results of their exam via campus email. Feedback will be given on any failed questions via campus email. Students who fail one or more exam questions must rewrite the failed questions. A rewrite date will be scheduled before the end of the current semester.
Students who fail the rewrite must wait until the comprehensive exam date during the following semester for a second rewrite. Students will receive an incomplete for ED 780 and must complete the remediation process prior to their second rewrite. If remediation is completed, students will have a final opportunity to rewrite the question(s) failed during the scheduled comprehensive exam for the semester.
Students who fail the rewrite attempt after completion of remediation will be assigned an F for ED 780 and removed from the program.
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) Information
The Educational Specialist online program is designed to meet the needs of experienced teachers who wish to enhance their abilities and use innovative teaching tactics within the classroom setting. Our program is designed to increase the skill base of professional educators who are instructional leaders, curriculum developers, and exemplary teachers.
The U.S. News & World Report gave honor roll status to Brenau’s online education programs, finishing in the top 20 in the nation and in the top 10 for faculty credentials and training.
Ed.S. students are required to take 31 credit hours in order to complete the program.
- Professional Core - 16 credit hours (4 classes and 4 hours of applied research)
- Concentration Sequence - 15 credit hours (5 classes)
Purpose The educational specialist (Ed.S.) program is designed to develop professional educators who are instructional leaders, curriculum developers and exemplary teachers. All programs are offered by the College of Education.
Teacher Education The teacher education faculty continuously reviews relevant contemporary research on teaching and effective practice in the preparation of educators. After careful consideration of educational principles, the faculty has identified a conceptual model of teacher education at Brenau University that reflects the dynamic process of decision making necessary for quality instruction and optimal learning. This model permeates all courses and activities of teacher education at the university and is articulated in the vision statement and unit outcomes.
Vision Statement Education Professionals from Brenau University will take active roles in planning, implementing and evaluating effective teaching practices through reflective decisions relating to content, pedagogy and the learner.
Teacher Education Unit Outcomes for Advanced Programs:
Brenau University seeks to prepare reflective professionals who (NBPTS 4; CCO 3; R)
- Content and Curriculum - Teachers demonstrate a strong knowledge of content areas(s) appropriate for their certification levels. (INTASC 1; NBPTS 2; C)
- Knowledge of Students & Their Learning - Teachers support the intellectual, social, physical and personal development of all students (INTASC 2,3,10; NBPTS 1; L)
- Learning Environments - Teachers create learning environments that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation. (INTASC 3,5,6,10; NBPTS 3; P, L, R)
- Assessment - Teachers understand and use a range of formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous development of all learners. (INTASC 2,8; NBPTS 3; P, L, R)
- Planning and Instruction - Teachers design and create instructional experiences based on their knowledge of content and curriculum, students, learning environments and assessment. (INTASC 2,4,5,7; NBPTS 2,3,5; P, L)
- Professionalism - Teachers recognize, participate in and contribute to teaching as a profession. (INTASC 8,9,10; NBPTS 4,5; C, L, R)
Admission Criteria
In addition to any general admission criteria outlined in the graduate admissions section of this catalog, the Ed.S. applicant must have and/or submit:
Early Childhood Education major:
- Must have an earned master’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation, as documented via official transcripts
- Must hold a current clear and renewable certificate in early childhood education or elementary education
- Must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for prior college level coursework
- Applicants who do not meet the requirement of a 3.0 GPA may be considered for application based upon review by the College of Education
- Must have two years of full-time teaching experience and must be currently employed in a school system as evidenced by a resume
- Applicants may be considered for admission as further defined in the Admissions Policies and Transfer of Credit Agreement
Middle Grades Education major:
- Must have an earned master’s degree from a college or university with regional accreditation, as documented via official transcripts
- Must hold a current clear and renewable certificate in middle grades education for at least one of the concentrations of either math/science or LA/SS
- Must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for prior college level coursework
- Applicants who do not meet the requirement of a 3.0 GPA may be considered for application based upon review by the College of Education
- Must have two years of full-time teaching experience and must be currently employed in a school system as evidenced by a resume
- Applicants may be considered for admission as further defined in the Admissions Policies and Transfer of Credit Agreement.
The College of Education reserves the right to add additional requirements regarding courses taken in a master’s degree. Educational Research or an equivalent course is a prerequisite to entry to the Ed.S. program.
In addition, candidates may be invited for a personal interview.
Program Format The program is offered in an online format and is a lock-step program. All students in a cohort will enter at the same time and proceed through the coursework together.
Limitation on Number of Hours of Transfer Credit Coursework taken at another regionally accredited institution of higher education will be considered for transfer. This credit will have to match the courses in Brenau’s Ed.S. curriculum. A maximum of six hours of work with a grade of B or above will be considered. Taking transfer work after the student has been enrolled in the Ed.S. is not permitted.
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