Teacher Education

Requirements

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Candidate admission to the Teacher Education Program is administered through the Department of Teacher Education. Admission will be granted as soon as the student meets all admission requirements listed below, including successful completion or exemption of the Core Academic Skills tests of reading, mathematics, and writing. Passing standards are established by the State of South Carolina. Students must be admitted by the second semester of the sophomore year to graduate in the standard four years.

Requirements for Admission to the Teacher Education Program

1. Satisfactory completion of 45 semester hours of Education courses with a grade of C or better.
2. Passing scores on Core reading, mathematics, and writing tests, or evidence of exemption via college entrance exams (22 or higher on the ACT, 1100 or higher on the two part SAT, 1650 or higher on the three part SAT).
3. Minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.
4. Reflective essay following a specified writing prompt. The essay will deal with learning in Core and education classes and field experiences, and how these have informed the candidate.
5. Evidence of positive professional dispositions for teaching.

Admission to the Internship

1. A candidate must apply and be approved to student-teach by the Coordinator of Clinical Experiences prior to the intended student-teaching semester. 
2. Failure to follow required college and state deadlines will result in a delay of one or more semesters in a candidate’s program graduation.
3. South Carolina state law requires that all candidates for the internship submit official fingerprint cards and be cleared through SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) and the FBI before being allowed to intern. Fingerprints may not be submitted after state deadlines have passed. All candidates must understand that prior criminal records will likely prevent them from participating in the internship and completing an education program. Those with questions should request a meeting with the Chair of the Department of Teacher Education early in their college program.
4. Required GPA of at least 3.0 in major/content area.

Completion of the Teacher Education Program

To complete the program and be recommended for licensure, teacher education candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Successful completion of all College degree requirements.
2. Successful completion of all Core, subject area, education, and education-required courses with an overall GPA of at least 3.0.
3. Successful completion of Internship and Internship Seminar with at least "C" grades.
4. Recommendation by the Newberry College Department of Teacher Education for state certification.
5. Successful completion of all required Praxis II exams in the candidate’s area of specialty, and of the Principles of Teaching and Learning (PLT) test.

Early Childcare Management Major (B.A., does not lead to licensure)

The B.A. in Early Childcare Management is for candidates seeking to work and lead in private or public childcare after graduation. Students will gain a strong foundation in the developmental stages of children from birth to age five, developmentally-appropriate practices, environmental design, administration, and marketing.

In addition to Education and Early Childcare core courses, candidates will also take courses in Business Administration and Accounting.

Early Childhood Education Major (B.S., can lead to licensure)

The B.S. in Early Childhood Education is for candidates aspiring to teach Primary / Kindergarten through Third Grade. Required courses include those in Early Childhood Education, Physical Education, Biology, English, History, Mathematics, Sociology and Science.

Elementary Education Major (B.S., can lead to licensure)

The B.S. in Elementary Education is specifically for teaching Grades 2–5. Required courses include those in Elementary Education, Physical Education, History, Geography, English, Mathematics, Science and a Biology lab.

Middle Level Education Major (B.S. degree, can lead to licensure)

The B.S. in Middle Level Education prepares candidates for teaching in Grades 6–8. Middle Level majors must be highly-qualified in two content areas (English, Math, Science, or Social Studies), and coursework beyond Middle Level core will be centered around students' subject concentrations.

Secondary Education Major (B.S. degree, can lead to licensure)

The B.S. in Secondary Level Education prepares students for teaching in Grades 9–12. Candidates for high-school level education concentrate in one subject area. For requirements specific to each concentration, follow the links below:

• Biology (Secondary Concentration)
• Chemistry (Secondary Concentration)
• English (Secondary Concentration)
• Mathematics (Secondary Concentration)
• Music (PK-12)
• Physical Education (PK-12)
• Social Studies (Secondary Concentration)