Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026 Catalog
Department of Teacher Education
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Gumm (department chair)
(SYMBOLS: ED, SST)
Mission
The Department of Teacher Education develops future teachers to honor Christ overall as they serve and teach diverse learners. The department is committed to preparing future teachers and ensuring they are ready to teach those God calls them to serve and shepherd on Day 1.
Successful completion of an education program at John Brown University prepares candidates for a standard license in the state of Arkansas. Candidates who plan to teach in states other than Arkansas should transfer the Arkansas licensure and meet any specific licensure requirements of the states where they expect to teach. The majority of states have reciprocity with Arkansas, which means licensure officials in these states will automatically grant licensure to individuals transferring their standard Arkansas license.
John Brown University’s education programs are significantly enhanced through an active partnership of shared decision making with the Siloam Springs School District and the Northwest Arkansas community. Partnerships with area school districts provide for the simultaneous support and renewal of both teacher preparation and the K-12 programs in partnering school districts.
Beginning in the first year, candidates actively participate in local K-12 classrooms, providing valuable assistance. Simultaneously, experienced teachers in partner schools serve as cooperating teachers and mentors alongside university faculty, providing important practical experiences and instructional support for the teacher candidates.
The Department of Teacher Education is committed to providing a vision for future teachers in rigorous, relational, and reflective programs, preparing students to teach in various settings. In keeping with the overall goals of the university, the department expects graduates to demonstrate the following broad-learner outcomes:
- Candidates will apply principles of learner development and learning differences to create safe, supportive learning environments and will work effectively with diverse families in K-12 schools.
- Candidates will apply knowledge of content to developing equitable and inclusive learning experiences.
- Candidates will apply Arkansas Teaching and Learning standards to assessments, plans for instruction, and instructional strategies to provide equitable and inclusive learning for K-12 students.
- Candidates will apply knowledge of professional responsibility to engage in professional learning; they will act ethically and work effectively with K-12 students.
Progression within the Education Program
Candidates for a teaching license are expected to carefully plan their academic programs beginning in their freshman year and to have their plan approved by an education advisor. Candidates are required to pass through three transition points before being admitted into their internship/residency. The following sequence and policies apply to all levels and fields of licensure:
- Transition 1. Admission to courses requiring Transition 1 and successful field experience. Specific requirements include the following:
- Complete the required initial background check.
- Provide permission to release personal information to be used in appropriate situations to school personnel.
- Provide evidence of dispositional growth using teacher candidate dispositional rubric.
- Obtain a post interview-recommendation from an upper-classmen to progress in program.
- Transition 2. Admission to courses requiring Transition 2 and clinical experiences. Specific requirements for admission include the following:
- Provide evidence of dispositional growth using teacher candidate dispositional rubric.
- Obtain a post interview-recommendation to progress in program.
3. Formal admission:
- A 2.7 cumulative grade point average.
- A minimum grade of ‘C/2.0’ in each education course.
- Successfully complete Transitions 1 and 2.
- Students will not be allowed to enroll in internship/residency courses without formal admission into the teacher education program.
- Candidates must clear both a state and federal criminal record check through the Arkansas State Police.
- Candidates must clear a Child Maltreatment check through the Department of Human Services.
4. Continuation in the program:
Candidates must maintain the 2.7 grade-point average throughout the program and demonstrate commitment to professional growth. A candidate failing to maintain these requirements will be placed on departmental probation and must meet the conditions of a professional development plan specified by the department or admission will be rescinded.
5. Transition 3. Admission to internship/residency.
Prior to registration for internship/residency, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of all requirements proceeding internship/residency courses.
- Completion of specified prerequisites (see course descriptions for internship/residency courses).
- A 2.7 cumulative grade-point average.
- A minimum grade of ‘C/2.0’ in each education course.
- Evidence of dispositional growth using teacher candidate dispositional rubric and cooperating/mentor teacher evaluations.
- Successfully completed requirements for Transition 3.
- Praxis II Series - (Documentation of passing the Praxis II Content Knowledge test. Music Education candidates are required to provide documentation of passing the Praxis II Pedagogy test prior to internship/residency and the Praxis II Content Knowledge test during internship/residency.) All candidates are required to take the Educational Testing Service Praxis II Series consisting of professional and teaching field tests related to each area in which the candidates are seeking to be licensed. The examination is required for licensure and a report of scores must be sent to the Department of Teacher Education and the Arkansas State Department of Education. The “Detailed Information” portion of the Praxis II is kept on file for the purpose of analysis of candidates’ needs. Costs associated with these exams are the responsibility of the candidate.
Internship/Residency
Candidates must successfully complete Transition 3 requirements and be formally admitted into the Department of Teacher Education Program before they can enroll in internship/residency.
Due to the nature of the internship/residency courses, candidates will be enrolled in designated internship/residency corequisites. Athletes, choir members, etc., will need to plan around their residency requirements. Additional coursework or activities which will interfere with this capstone professional experience must be approved by the Department of Teacher Education. Other responsibilities (work, leadership, and required involvement) may not exceed 10 hours weekly and may not conflict with school responsibilities.
6. Graduation requirements.
a. Satisfaction of all graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E.) or Bachelor of Music Education (B.Mus.Ed.) programs.
b. Recommendation by the department faculty upon completion of the internship/residency experience.
c. A 2.7 cumulative grade-point average.
d. A minimum grade of ‘C/2.0’ in each education course.
e. A minimum grade of “C/2.0’ in each internship/residency course.
7. Program completion and eligibility for an initial license.
a. Graduation.
b. Completion of all Arkansas licensure requirements including but not limited to passing all required Praxis assessments and completing all current professional development requirements for licensure.
Arkansas Licensure Testing Requirements include:
- Praxis II Content Tests.
- Praxis PLT or equivalent exam as defined by the Department of Teacher Education.
- Pearson Foundations of Reading Test (for some programs).
While the licensure exams are not graduation requirements, they are requirements for Arkansas licensure and students are encouraged to take these assessments prior to graduation.
Transfer Students
The credentials of students transferring from an accredited college or university will be evaluated by the Registrar’s Office and by the chair of the Department of Teacher Education (or designee) for appropriate placement. Transfer students or JBU students transferring from another major may take restricted Professional Education courses their first semester with the approval of their education advisor. All exceptions required due to transfer or change of major will be submitted to the Department within the first semester for approval. All students transferring to education will be expected to complete all program requirements in effect at the time of the transfer. Candidates must complete all appropriate transition points and necessary requirements as determined by the Department of Teacher Education faculty.
Transfers from another college or university must spend a minimum of two semesters before entering internship/residency courses.
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