CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
Conceptual Framework
The ultimate goal of the College of Education Teacher Education Unit at Troy University is the effective initial and continuing preparation of candidates, teachers, and other school personnel. The conceptual framework evolved from research-based models (e.g. Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, 1973, Colton and Sparks-Langer, 1993) and is aligned with nationally accepted standards.

The unit’s commitment lies in training educators whose formal preparation meets federal and state requirements and responds to the expectations and needs of the communities served.

The conceptual framework reflects the commitment to produce innovative, informed, and reflective decision makers. The unit is committed to proven fundamentals and continuous review of practice and research. Effective teachers must demonstrate exceptional abilities and skills in their knowledge, their pedagogy, and their dispositions.

Teacher Certification
All teacher education certification programs are approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. Students seeking teacher certification should refer to the specific program for eligibility and program completion requirements. Only those students who are properly admitted to an approved teacher certification program and complete all current requirements will be recommended for certification.

Certification in Alabama
Candidates completing an approved teacher certification program are eligible to apply for the Alabama Class B professional certificate, provided they meet the following:

• a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on all undergraduate coursework attempted in the professional studies and in the teaching field(s);
• a grade of C or better in all coursework which applies to certification; and
• Successful completion of the Praxis II examination in all areas of initial certification.

Any candidate who applies for a professional certificate is subject to all regulations set forth by the Alabama State Department of Education, including a comprehensive background check. Additional requirements (e.g., standardized examinations to demonstrate content mastery) may be added as the Alabama State Board of Education and other accrediting agencies modify regulations. Implementation of additional requirements may be mandated by the Alabama State Department of Education and could supersede a student’s stated program requirements. Candidates should consult their education adviser for details.

Only candidates properly admitted to an approved certification program and who successfully fulfill all program and certification requirements will be recommended for certification. The Certification Officer, appointed by the Dean of the College of Education, is the only Troy University official authorized to recommend candidates for certification in any state.

Fingerprinting Requirement
Effective no later than the beginning of Fall 2008 semester, any candidate applying for admission to a state-approved program shall be required to be fingerprinted for a criminal history background check through the Alabama State Department of Education to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) pursuant to Act 2002-457. Fingerprinting must be done prior to conduction of observations in P-12 schools.

Certification in Other States
Other states may grant professional certification to candidates completing the Troy University teacher education program. Some states may have additional requirements. Candidates seeking certification in other states should contact the appropriate State Department of Education.

Only candidates properly admitted to an approved certification program and who successfully fulfill all program and certification requirements will be recommended for certification. The Certification Officer, appointed by the Dean of the College of Education, is the only Troy University official authorized to recommend candidates for certification in any state.

Highly Qualified Teacher
All undergraduate teacher education programs comply with the Alabama Model for Identifying Highly Qualified Teachers in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001.

Statement of Guarantee for New Educators
Candidates who are recommended by Troy University for Alabama state teacher certification shall be granted remediation at no cost if:

1. they are teaching in field and levels of the awarded certificate;
2. they receive less than the required minimum score of 18 on The Alabama Professional Education Personnel Evaluation Program (PEPE); and
3. remediation is requested within two years of the valid date of the Professional Educator certificate, which was issued based on recommendation by the unit.

In no case shall the unit be required to provide remediation for more than the first two years of employment.

Exit Examinations
All teacher education candidates must successfully complete all components of the required exit examination. There are four components of the exit examination: professional studies, teaching field(s), Praxis II and portfolio. The format and requirements of the examination may vary according to the major.

Certification Only
Candidates who currently hold valid Alabama professional teacher certification may complete program requirements for recommendation of additional teaching fields. Transcripts and professional experience will be reviewed prior to beginning any coursework to determine eligibility. Candidates must successfully complete all program and course requirements, including exit examination(s), portfolio, and internship.

Transfer Credit Allowances
At least 25% of the credit hours required for the degree must be earned in residence with Troy University. Transfer credit for professional education courses and teaching area courses which give consideration to pedagogical application is allowable only for courses taken at a regionally accredited institution in a state-approved teacher education/certification program. Other transfer credit is subject to approval. A minimum of 12 semester hours in the professional studies area and a minimum of 12 semester hours in the teaching field must be earned prior to internship at the campus supervising the required internship in order for a student to be eligible for a recommendation for teacher certification.

General Studies Requirements
General studies courses cannot be used to meet requirements for both a major field and general studies. Some education majors have special general studies requirements. Consult your education adviser and the General Studies section of this catalog for details. Required major field courses are listed under the appropriate departmental listing in this catalog.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP)
Admission to Troy University does not qualify a student for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Candidates may only enroll in EDU 3310, EDU 3305 or EDU 4499, PSY 3303, EDU 4400, and SPE 3340 prior to meeting all criteria for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Candidates must meet with their teaching field adviser for any restrictions regarding enrollment in teaching field courses prior to admission to TEP. Written application to the Teacher Education Program is required.
Additional requirements include the following:

1. Completion of 48 semester hours of required general studies courses including a grade of C or better in the two English composition courses and a grade of C or better in the required general studies mathematics course(s) for the teacher education major.
2. Elementary, early childhood and collaborative teacher K-6 candidates must complete both MTH 1110 and MTH 1112 with a grade of C or better to satisfy the math requirement for admission to TEP.
3. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall, in professional studies, and in the teaching field(s). Students who fail to meet the required GPA may repeat courses. The university academic policy will be applied in calculating grade point averages.
4. An initial score on the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test.
5. Successful completion of a formal speech and interview.
6. Completion of a minimum of 12 clock hours of classroom observation/participation.
7. Successful completion of an impromptu essay.

The Professional Internship Program
The Professional Internship Program is the culminating clinical field-based experience for candidates seeking certification in a teaching field. The Professional Internship Program provides the candidate with the opportunity to conduct classes and assume the role of teacher while receiving supervision from a classroom teacher and a university supervisor. Instructions regarding qualifications and applications should be obtained from the Office of Teacher Education and submitted two semesters prior to the semester that the candidate plans to intern.

All candidates completing an initial certification program for teachers must complete a nine-semester-hour internship in the grade level(s) and academic subject(s) of the certification sought. This is a full-time assignment for a full semester (approximately 600 clock hours) with placement in a regionally accredited school. Interns must enroll in the appropriate three-semester hour internship seminar course during the internship semester. A minimum of 12 semester hours in the professional studies and a minimum of 12 semester hours in the teaching field must be earned prior to internship at the site supervising the internship.
Prerequisites for internship include the following:

1. Admission to the Teacher Education Program (TEP).
2. A GPA of 2.75 overall on all coursework attempted.
3. A GPA of 2.75 in all professional studies coursework attempted.
4. A GPA of 2.75 in all teaching field coursework attempted.
5. Two satisfactory recommendations from faculty.
6. Completion of all coursework except for Internship Seminar, which is taken in conjunction with internship.
7. Completion of all professional studies and teaching field courses with a grade of C or better.
8. Completion and verification of a minimum of 150 contact hours of clinical experiences. Ninety of these 150 hours must be in increments of at least three hours each. The majority of field experiences must occur in a P-12 setting. At least half of the field experiences shall be in the candidate’s teaching field and shall emphasize the application of content knowledge.
9. Evidence of current First Aid and CPR certifications.
10. Successful completion of all three sections of the Alabama Prospective Teacher Test (APTT): Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Writing.
11. Successful completion of the Praxis II examination in each teaching field.
12. Successful completion of the preliminary components of the professional portfolio and the exit examinations in professional studies and the teaching field(s).
13. Approval of the Director of the Teacher Education Program and the department chair.
14. Evidence of current professional liability coverage.
15. Completion of any additional requirements mandated by the Alabama State Department of Education.

Undergraduate internship experiences must occur in the appropriate grade level(s) and subject(s) and are supervised by an approved certified classroom teacher who is the teacher of record for the class. Interns may not complete an internship in a classroom in a long-term substitute teacher position.