Teacher Education Program
Handbooks
The College of Education (COE) has prepared detailed handbooks for students pursuing a degree in any education field at Faulkner University. The handbooks contain the most recent policies, procedures, guidelines, and processes for successful completion of an education degree at Faulkner University. Students should obtain a copy of the current Undergraduate Handbook, Graduate Handbook, and Internship Handbook from the College of Education Office at the appropriate time in conjunction with COE professional coursework.
Completion of Degree and Certification in an Education Field
Completion of a degree program in education requires much more than amassing course credits from the degree program lists. A Teacher Education Program candidate at Faulkner University will pass through four gateways toward a career in education. In order to make a wise career choice, students will begin by taking ED 2020 - Introduction to Education and begin field experiences in the surrounding partnership districts. Upon successful completion of the course and related field experiences, students, along with their assigned College of Education advisor,
will make their choice to pursue a degree in education. Gateway One begins with the declaration of a major in education and progresses to application and admission into the Teacher Education Program. Gateway Two moves to application and admission into the Internship. Gateway Three includes the Internship. Gateway Four finalizes the route through certification and professional practice. Teacher Education Program candidates are presented to the Teacher Education
Committee for approval to enter the Teacher Education Program and Internship Program.
Teacher Education Program Gateways
Teacher Education Candidate Recruitment, Quality, and Diversity
Students will enroll in ED 2020 - Introduction to Education. Students will be required to complete field experiences in relation to ED 2020. Students must complete a criminal history background check through an approved Alabama State Department of Education service provider. Students will also provide the designated College of Education official documentation of having cleared the criminal history background check. Prior to Formal Admission into the Teacher Education Program (TEP), Gateway 1 Students must declare an education field as their academic major in the main office of the College of Education. At this time, the student's education file will be developed. Upon declaration of an education major, students are eligible to enroll in the following education coursework: ED 2322 - Foundations of Education, ED 2342 - Instructional Methodology, ED 3340 - Exceptional Learner, and ED 4348 - Classroom Management. During ED 2020 - Introduction to Education and these four courses, students will complete field experience hours in a P-12 setting. Students may also complete any of the coursework detailed on the core side of their degree plan. Students should apply for formal entrance into the Teacher Education Program during the fall or spring semester they plan to meet all admission requirements. Prior to TEP admission, the student may repeat any of the five courses in which she or he received a grade of C or below.
Teacher Education Program Admission, Gateway 2
Application for admission into the Teacher Education Program should be made at the beginning of the semester in which a student will complete a number of professional education courses and related field experiences. Students may not exceed five professional education courses prior to being admitted to the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Students should apply for admission by submitting a formal application by the announced deadline at the beginning of each fall and spring semester. Directions on how to obtain application forms for admission into the Teacher Education Program can be secured from the College of Education Office. All applicants will be required to complete various deadlines throughout the rest of the semester of application culminating in formal approval by the Teacher Education Committee (TEC). All Teacher Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026 Page 279 of 604 Education Program requirements must be submitted to the College of Education Certification Officer for processing. To be eligible for unconditional admission into the Teacher Education Program, a student must meet the following requirements by the completion of the semester of application:
- Submission of Teacher Education Program application
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the following areas:
a. Overall
b. Teaching Field
c. Professional Studies - Those students with a 2.75-2.99 will be considered, but admission is not guaranteed
- Completion of the five approved professional education courses
- Completion of English Composition I and English Composition II, with a grade of "C" or higher in both
- SAEA (or other education liability insurance) dues paid for current school year
- Satisfactory disposition ratings on approved field experiences in a variety of settings totaling a required minimum hours
- PE majors must have completed the Fitness Assessment
- Completion of background check and fingerprinting done in ED 2020
- Satisfactory ratings on disposition forms from professor for each Education class taken up to TEP entry
- Formal interview with the Director of Field and Clinical Placements/Certification Officer
- Approval to enter the Teacher Education Program by the Teacher Education Committee
- Candidates will receive a letter whether his or his application for admission to a specific educator preparation program has been accepted.
Candidates should apply only if they have met the requirements listed above.
Any application that does not meet all necessary requirements will not be accepted.
Teacher Candidates whose application is denied are responsible for reapplying the following eligible semester. Teacher Candidates who cannot be admitted to the Teacher Education Program due to a low GPA are encouraged to take or retake courses in the general studies in order to increase their GPA.
Internship Program Admission, Gateway 3
The Internship is the culminating experience for a candidate in the Teacher Education Program. The Internship is a full semester placement in a P-12 school classroom of the University's choice. On the job placements for undergraduate students is not permitted. Because the Internship is such a time-consuming experience, teacher candidates are not allowed to enroll in other classes, be employed, or engage in significant social club or extracurricular activities during the Internship experience unless specifically approved by the Teacher Education
Committee. Directions for obtaining the application forms for admission into the Internship Program can be secured from the College of Education Office. All applicants will be required to complete various deadlines throughout the rest of the semester of application culminating in a formal interview with the faculty. All The Internship is the culminating experience for a Teacher Candidate in the Teacher Education Program. The Internship is a full semester placement in a P12 school classroom setting that includes twenty days of full-time teaching responsibility. Application for admission into the Internship should be made the first of February or the first of September for the semester in which a Teacher Candidate will complete all coursework. The following criteria must be demonstrated before the conclusion of the semester of application to Internship:
1. Submission of the Internship Application
2. Unconditional admission to the Teacher Education Program at least two semesters prior
to application for the Internship
3. A minimum earned GPA of 2.75 in the following areas:
a. Overall
b. Teaching Field
c. Professional Studies
4. Official passing test score results from the appropriate state department-approved Praxis
exam, the NASDTEC Ethics Assessment, Foundations of Reading, and the KPEERI
assessments must be on file with the College of Education. Completion of the edTPA is mandatory during internship.
5. Successful completion of entire degree plan
6. PE majors must have completed the post- Lifetime Fitness Assessment
7. Satisfactory disposition ratings on approved field experiences in a variety of settings totaling a required minimum hours
8. Active membership in SAEA (or other education liability insurance)
9. Satisfactory ratings on disposition forms from professor for each Education class taken up to Internship entry
10. Formal interview with the Director of Field and Clinical Placements/Certification Officer
11. Approval to enter the Internship gateway by the Teacher Education Committee
Any application that does not meet all necessary application requirements will not be accepted. Teacher Candidates whose application is denied are responsible for reapplying the following eligible semester.
Graduation Requirements, Gateway 4
To receive the Baccalaureate Degree in Education, Candidates must meet the following requirements:
1. Candidacy and admission into the Teacher Education Program (a minimum of two
semesters prior to the Internship)
2. Completion of all courses and requirements listed on the appropriate degree plan
(including an appropriate and successful Internship)
3. Completion of a minimum total hours of clinical experiences
4. Completion of ALSDE Teacher Certification requirements, including assessment
requirements of the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP),
completion of edTPA, and appropriate paperwork (including fingerprinting and background check release forms)
5. Completion of all institutional requirements for graduation, i.e. filing of appropriate forms with the Registrar's Office, exit interview with the Financial Aid Office, and clearance with the Business Office
6. Completion of an exit interview with the College of Education Completion and final approval of internship portfolio which will contain evidence of competencies and completion of the above requirements. All course artifacts should be found in the Teacher Candidate's completed portfolio.