Department of Teacher Education and Administration

Main Office
Matthews Hall, Room 206

Mailing address:
1155 Union Circle #310740
Denton, TX 76203-5017
940-565-2920
Fax: 940-565-4952

Web site: www.coe.unt.edu/tea

Bilingual and ESL Education
Matthews Hall, Room 206
940-565-2931

Curriculum and Instruction
Reading Education
Matthews Hall, Room 218
940-565-2922

Office of Teacher Preparation
Elementary and Secondary Certification
Matthews Hall, Room 204
940-565-2826

Educational Leadership
Matthews Hall, Room 218
940-565-2175

Field Experiences (PDS I and II, Student Teaching)
Matthews Hall, Room 204
940-565-4226

Student Advising Office
Matthews Hall, Room 105
940-565-2736

James Laney, Chair

Faculty

The Department of Teacher Education and Administration seeks to improve educational practice through the generation of knowledge and to prepare education professionals who serve all students in an effective, inclusive, and equitable manner. Its focus is on the preparation of highly competent educators, researchers and administrators who employ current theory and research as they fill these important roles. The department also provides service to educational institutions, governmental agencies, and practitioners at all levels.

The teacher education programs at the University of North Texas have a long history of preparing effective teachers. As the needs of children and schools of Texas change, the programs continue to change. In 1992, the teacher education programs began to establish professional development schools, which are field-based educator preparation programs. In professional development school programs, public school teachers and administrators collaborate with faculty from the University of North Texas to prepare teachers for the challenges of the new century. Teacher education students in professional development schools learn and apply their knowledge and skills in clinical settings under the supervision of master teachers. The programs in teacher education are working toward the goal of assuring that all students recommended for certification have had firm grounding in content knowledge and pedagogy, as well as experience in professional development schools.

Programs in teacher education are approved by the Texas Education Agency (1701 N. Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701 [www.tea.state.tx.us]) and are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (2010 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 500, Washingon, DC 20036-1023; 202-466-7496 [www.ncate.org]).

The department offers teacher certification programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates seeking teacher certification in early childhood through grade six (EC–6) or grades 4–8 should enroll in the Bachelor of Science program with a major in interdisciplinary studies. Undergraduates seeking certification in all-level or secondary education receive a degree though the major department and add the required courses for teacher certification.

Students who have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited university may have their undergraduate transcript evaluated in the Teacher Education and Administration Office in Matthews Hall, Room 204E, to develop a post-baccalaureate certification plan. Post-baccalaureate students must apply for admission and be admitted to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies prior to enrolling in any classes (see the Graduate Catalog for admission requirements).

Admission to teacher education

Admission to elementary or middle school teacher education

For admission to elementary or middle school teacher education, a student must have:

Junior standing (60 credit hours earned);
a 2.75 overall GPA (includes all transferred and UNT courses) AND a 2.75 GPA in the core with all graded courses complete;
appropriate exam scores on either the ACT, SAT or Praxis Core: Academic Skills for Educators;
a rating of “accepted” on the online admission interview questionnaire;
active enrollment at UNT and a completed or in-process degree audit in the College of Education Student Advising Office; and
a completed Application for Admission to Teacher Education submitted to the College of Education Student Advising Office once all requirements are complete.

Students must be admitted to teacher education before enrolling in most education courses. In addition, students must maintain a 2.75 GPA in various sub-areas of their degree audit (i.e., university core, academic major, and education/pedagogy courses) in order to proceed with early field experience and student teaching. Students seeking EC–6 or 4–8 teacher certification must also earn grades of C or above in all required courses on their degree audit.

Contact the College of Education Student Advising Office, 940-565-2736; Matthews Hall, Room 105; or www.coe.unt.edu/sao for additional information.

Admission to secondary or all-level teacher education

For admission to secondary or all-level teacher education, a student must have:

Junior standing (60 credit hours earned);
a 2.75 UNT GPA;
a 2.75 overall GPA (includes all transferred and UNT courses);
appropriate exam scores on either the ACT, SAT or Praxis Core: Academic Skills for Educators;
a rating of “accepted” on the online admission interview questionnaire (for all students except all-level art and music);
active enrollment at UNT and an official degree audit on file in the College of Education Student Advising Office; and
a completed Application for Admission to Teacher Education submitted to the College of Education Student Advising Office once all requirements are complete.

Students must be admitted to teacher education before enrolling in most education classes. In addition, students must maintain a 2.75 GPA in various sub-areas of their degree audit (i.e., teaching field and education/pedagogy courses) in order to proceed with early field experience and student teaching.

Contact the College of Education Student Advising Office, 940-565-2736; Matthews Hall, Room 105; or www.coe.unt.edu/sao for additional information.

Student advising

College of Education undergraduate students receive academic advising from the Student Advising Office (SAO). The SAO provides developmental advising in creating and following academic plans and helps students in their pursuit of academic success. Students should schedule regular appointments with an SAO advisor (Matthews Hall, Room 105) to create or edit a degree plan, to receive current information regarding specific degree or certification requirements, or to get academic guidance and help. The SAO sees students by appointment only, except during the regular registration period each semester, when they accept drop-in visitors. Appointment times fill quickly and students are encouraged to schedule advising appointments at least two weeks in advance. Additional degree and other SAO information are available online at www.coe.unt.edu/sao.

Degree/certification plan

The degree/certification plan is the official document outlining the student’s course of study. The student is responsible for initiating the degree/certification plan process and should do so as soon as possible after being formally enrolled at the university and prior to the first term/semester in teacher education.

Advising should be sought in the Student Advising Office. The student, with advisement, makes decisions relating to the program of study. The degree/certification plan is subsequently prepared in the College of Education Student Advising Office in Matthews Hall, Room 105. Degree/certification plan processing takes four to six weeks. Students must make an appointment to review completed degree/certification plans in Matthews Hall, Room 105. Any changes in degree/certification plans must be approved by the academic departments and the Department of Teacher Education and Administration office.

Teacher certification

Teacher certification is a function of the Texas Education Agency. Completion of the bachelor’s degree and the required education courses does not necessarily result in certification by the agency. All undergraduate students seeking recommendation for initial teacher certification through the University of North Texas must (1) successfully complete an approved teacher education program for the preparation of early childhood, middle grades, secondary or all-level teachers; (2) successfully complete student teaching, which includes attending appropriate seminars and passing a comprehensive teacher preparation examination; and (3) pass appropriate sections of the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES), as applicable. The TExES is offered at least once each long term/semester and once in the summer. Contact the TExES Advising Office in Matthews Hall, Room 103, for further information (940-369-8601).

Those seeking certification must also present acceptable scores on the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) Exam. Students should contact the TExES Advising Office in Matthews Hall, Room 103, to determine which exams apply to them and to gain other pertinent information. Students working on a teacher certification plan must meet all requirements stated on their certification (deficiency) plan.

Scholarships

The University of North Texas is committed to excellence in all academic programs. In keeping with this commitment the university offers a variety of scholarships and awards to continuing students and to exceptional entering freshmen and transfer students. The university has two categories of competitive academic scholarships: general and departmental. Information on general scholarships may be obtained from Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Departmental scholarships are listed on the teacher education and administration web page.

Admission, Review and Retention (ARR) Committee

The ARR Committee reviews referrals made by faculty and determines a course of action. The ARR Committee also reviews student appeals and determines an appropriate course of action regarding changes in the student’s course of study. Any instructor in the College of Education has the right and responsibility to refer any student to the ARR Committee if that instructor has a concern about a student’s academic progress, behavioral characteristics or communication skills that indicates potential problems in school settings.

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education provides students a program of study and career opportunities in fields relating to the care and education of young children, birth to age eight.

The Child Development Laboratory is an accredited preschool program for children ages 3 through 5. In addition, it serves as a model, an observation site and a training center for undergraduate and graduate students in fields related to young children. Research related to early childhood issues is conducted by graduate students and faculty members from across the university.

Elementary or middle school education

The elementary education and middle school education programs offer a BS with a major in interdisciplinary studies for teacher certification in grades EC–6 or 4–8 which meets and exceeds the requirements mandated by the State of Texas. All students receive preparation in content knowledge and pedagogy as well as field experience in a Professional Development School (PDS) setting.

Secondary Education

Secondary Education, in cooperation with other schools and departments, offers a complete curriculum of teacher preparation. A Standard Teacher’s Certificate for teaching grades 7–12 is available with the completion of a major in an approved teaching field and a minor in secondary education.

Undergraduate professional development courses in secondary education constitute a minor for bachelor’s degree programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Health and Public Service or the College of Science. The program of studies offered through Secondary Education meets all current professional development requirements for Texas teacher certification.

Individuals interested in pursuing certification in math or science teaching at the secondary level may wish to pursue a minor through the Teach North Texas program. See “Teach North Texas ” in the College of Science section of this catalog.

Programs

Majors

Minors

Secondary Education for BA, BS (secondary teacher certification) minor

Courses

Bilingual and English as a Second Language Education

Early Childhood Education

Educational Curriculum and Instruction

Educational Foundations

Elementary Education

Middle School Education

Reading

Secondary Education