Martin Methodist College -

ADMISSION TO THE EDUCATION PROGRAM

All students who desire a bachelor’s degree with licensure in any program within the Division of Education are required to apply for admission to the appropriate program during the second semester of the sophomore year, but no later than the second semester of the sophomore year. Full admission to the program must be attained no later than the semester prior to clinical practice or no later than the final semester for those students choosing to take the elementary education alternative route. An application must be submitted to the office of the appropriate program coordinator. The application contains the specific requirements for admission to the desired program and will be processed and acted upon by the Teacher Education Committee.
EDU 101, Education as a Profession and EDU 305, Educational Psychology are the only education courses students may take at MMC prior to admission to the education program.
Before beginning any field experiences required in some of the methods and professional education courses, membership in Student Tennessee Education Association (STEA) is required to further familiarize the candidate with professional commitment and involvement responsibilities as well as for insurance liability purposes. The following are desirable dispositions that candidates will be expected to demonstrate by the completion

of their program:

possesses a positive attitude about life and teaching
spends adequate time in preparation for assigned tasks
participates in professional activities
accepts responsibility for outcomes
seeks professional development opportunities
knows areas of personal strengths and weaknesses
uses reflection techniques to improve performance
sets high expectations for personal performance
capable of achieving results
is enthusiastic about assigned tasks
displays creativity in tasks undertaken
is empathetic toward others
exhibits self-confidence in tasks undertaken

According to the requirements as noted on the application, in addition to a satisfactorily completed application, all students seeking admission to a program within the Division of Education shall have:

a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
completed at least thirty (30) semester hours and EDU 101;
at least a “C” in ENG 101 and ENG 102;
at least a “C” in ENG221;
at least a “C” in the appropriate math course listed for that program (see application or specific program requirements);
at least a “C” in BIO 111 and BIO 112 for biology licensure program majors;
made or surpassed state required scores on one of the following standardized tests:

- Praxis I ( Pre-Professional Skills Test reading, writing, and math) or

- a required composite score of 22 on the ACT or

- a required combined verbal and mathematical score of 1020 on the old SAT or a 1530 on the new SAT

a satisfactory rating on three copies of the Personal/Professional Dispositions Evaluation completed by the applicant, a community person, and a Martin Methodist College professor;
submitted a satisfactory essay writing sample;
submitted a working portfolio;
satisfactorily completed an admission interview with members of the Teacher Education Committee;
submitted complete college transcripts,
valid membership in STEA which will be continued until completion of the clinical practice semester.

The applicant will be notified in writing as to the decision of the Teacher Education Committee. Applicants who are denied admission because of certain deficiencies in their program of study must re-apply for admission once the deficiencies are removed. An appeals process enables students to re-apply to the committee for admission. Any student denied admission a second time may then appeal to the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee through the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Admission to Clinical Practice for All Programs of the Division of Education

All students who desire Tennessee teacher licensure in any program within the MMC Division of Education will engage in fifteen weeks of clinical practice in two different placements (one of eight weeks and one of seven weeks). Candidates shall refer to the Application for Admission to Clinical Practice and the Clinical Practice Handbook for specific requirements for each program. All candidates shall obtain approval for admission to clinical practice from the Teacher Education Committee. Clinical practice placement will be in the state of Tennessee within a 50-mile radius of Martin Methodist College. To be eligible for participation in clinical practice, candidates shall have:

been admitted to the Teacher Education Program;
completed and submitted to the program coordinator all required components of the Application for Admission to Clinical Practice by the semester prior to clinical practice;
completed all course work except clinical practice and clinical practice seminar;
been classified a senior (92+ hours) by the Registrar’s Office and be within two semesters of graduation;
passed all required sections of the Praxis II;
a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.50 in all course work taken at Martin Methodist College and/or transferred to Martin;
earned a “C” or better in each major and professional education course;
passed a background check paid for by the candidate;
a satisfactory rating on three copies of the Personal /Professional Disposition Evaluation completed by the applicant, the candidate’s mentor, and a Martin Methodist College professor;
submitted a working portfolio;
obtained and provided proof of professional membership (STEA);
received approval of the Teacher Education Committee.

Formal application to clinical practice must be completed and submitted to the office of the program coordinator by March 15 of the spring semester and by October 15 of the fall semester prior to the semester in which the student enrolls in clinical practice and clinical practice seminar. Except for special circumstance, the following policy will be followed:

Scores from the November Praxis II test date will not be accepted for clinical practice placement for the following spring.
Scores from the June Praxis II test will not be accepted for clinical practice placement for the following fall.

The suggested timetable for progress through the licensure process for all programs within the Division of Education is as follows:

Sophomore year, 1st semester; admissions interview and take Praxis I (if ACT score is not 22 or above)
Sophomore year, 2nd semester; apply for admission to the program
Junior year, 2nd semester; take all applicable Praxis II exams
Senior year, 1st semester; retake Praxis II exams if needed ; complete all degree course work; and apply for clinical practice
Senior year, 2nd semester; clinical practice and seminar, complete all degree requirements

ADMISSION TO THE ALTERNATE ROUTE IN THE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAM

A student may elect to get a bachelor’s degree in elementary education without getting a teaching license. Students are required to apply for admission to the Elementary Education Program during the first semester of the sophomore year. Full admission must be attained no later than the final semester. Students are not required to meet the following program requirements:

Pass any Praxis II tests;
Submit a showcase portfolio;
Enroll in EDU 452 and EDU 453.

The alternate 12 hours of upper-division work will consist of the following:

One or more three-hour upper-division English courses;
One or more three hour upper-division religion, sociology, or social work courses;
One or more three hour upper-division psychology courses;
A fourth course must be chosen from the above disciplines.

The proposed alternative schedule must be submitted to the Teacher Education Committee for approval before the final semester.