Education

The elementary, early childhood, special education, and secondary education programs are designed to produce teachers who have the knowledge, social competencies, methods, communication skills, and sensitivity to be effective in the school environment. Students complete methods courses, professional education courses, and field experiences and observations. They develop critical thinking skills through an analysis of educational history, philosophy and psychology; measurement and evaluation of learning; and classroom management. They gain awareness of cultural diversity and the social and political contexts of education. Elementary and early childhood majors must also demonstrate ability in liberal arts areas including mathematics, science, writing, communication, and the fine arts. The education major is based on state, regional and national certification/licensure criteria and testing competencies. The Ottawa University teacher education programs are state approved in Arizona.

Arizona Teacher Education Programs

Ottawa University has designed its undergraduate education programs to produce teachers who have the knowledge, social competencies, methodology, communication skills, and sensitivity to be effective instructors at the elementary, middle or high school level. All education programs combine a liberal arts philosophy with state certification criteria and content covered in the Arizona educator proficiency

Assessment (the State of Arizona exit exams required of all teacher certification candidates).

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Students are encouraged to announce their intent to pursue teacher certification as part of their program of study during the initial coursework associated with their Proseminar course (the first formal course taken by all incoming undergraduate students). During this course, the student will work in harmony with his/her advisor to put together a program of study that will guide and direct the student through the required courses leading to student teaching and certification.

Criteria for admission to the teacher education program(s) are:

• A 2.50 cumulative grade point average on all previously earned coursework prior to admission to OU (this same 2.50 GPA is required as a program exit and admission to student teaching).
• All students of teacher education must be eligible for a Class 1 or Class 2 fingerprint clearance. The “fingerprint card” must be in the possession of the student prior to applying for student teaching and, eventually, teacher certification.

Required Coursework for Certification/Licensure

The Ottawa University teacher education programs and the coursework associated for each are defined in detail in the handbook associated with teacher education licensing for the State of Arizona and Ottawa University – Arizona. Each program of study leading toward teacher certification must be aligned with a major (or majors) associated with the program of study. In addition to the overall outcomes for the major(s), each content area has outcomes related to that discipline. These outcomes are provided to students by their academic advisor.

At Ottawa University - Arizona, the major consists of a minimum of 28 semester credit hours beyond the introductory level and prerequisite requirements. Each major consists of core courses (required courses) and electives (courses selected by the student and approved by the advisor) that are appropriate for the designated major. Both core and elective courses count toward the minimum required 28 semester credit hours. Student performance in a core course must be at a grade of “C” or better. Further, a minimum of 28 semester credit hours in the major must be graded “C” or above.

Programs offered for certification/licensure include:

Art

Biology

Early Childhood Education

Elementary Education

English

History

Mathematics

Music

General Education Requirements

The Ottawa University teacher education program requires each person seeking teacher certification in the State of Arizona to complete a program of study that includes coursework in the area of general education. This work is designed to develop a broad understanding of the characteristics of the disciplines in the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The general requirements are also designed to assist the student in becoming competent in written and oral communication and in the use of mathematical properties, processes and symbols. Finally, these general education requirements are designed in part to prepare the teacher education student for a successful mastery of the required examinations associated with teacher certification in Arizona.

Certification/Licensure

At the end of student teaching (the last requirement for education majors), students are issued an Institutional Recommendation form that alerts the State Department of Teacher Certification that the student has fulfilled all academic requirements associated with teacher certification in the State of Arizona. In addition to the institutional recommendation form, as part of the certification process, students must have successfully mastered the state competency exams associated with their area of certification and must possess a valid class 1 or class 2 fingerprint clearance card. Additionally, the student must have maintained a cumulative grade point average no less than a 2.50 in all education coursework. At Ottawa University – Arizona, the institutional recommendation is issued by the dean of instruction or his/her designees. Upon verification from the advisor of the student who certifies the program of study to be complete. The dean requires proof of “passing performance” in the Arizona Educator Professional Assessment along with a valid fingerprint card. With these documents in place, the student is eligible to approach the State Department for Teacher Certification, where he/she presents the appropriate fee before receiving his/her first teacher certification, which is valid for two years.

Content Area Coursework

Education students must develop an academic major in a particular discipline and complete additional coursework required in that content area. Certification programs offered at Ottawa University – Arizona are listed above. Specific coursework for teacher certification is defined in each content area section. Certification requirements are updated regularly. Students should consult with teacher education program personnel for current requirements. It is also important for student to remain in touch with his/her advisor to assure that current issues are addressed in the program of study.