The Mission of the Teacher Preparation Program at Shorter University is to provide exemplary classroom and field experiences for its students so that they may become successful teachers dedicated to life-long learning, personal growth, collaborative effort, responsible citizenship, and community leadership in a global context. Upon successful completion of the program, Shorter University graduates will possess content, pedagogical, and curricular knowledge, but more importantly, they will be caring professionals concerned for the needs of others and able to assist others effectively in the learning process.

Goals for the Education Department

• Preservice and experienced teachers will demonstrate subject matter knowledge appropriate to their grade levels and specializations.

• Preservice and experienced teachers will acquire and demonstrate pedagogical knowledge appropriate to their grade levels and specializations.

• Preservice and experienced teachers will address the psychological, social, and cultural needs of learners.

• Preservice and experienced teachers will demonstrate professionalism.

Degree Programs Offered Through the Teacher Preparation Program

 

• Shorter University’s School of Education includes three departments – the Department of Education (traditional undergraduate), Graduate Education (M.A.T. and M.Ed.), and Center for Teacher Preparation (ECE adult program) – which, as one unit, offer nine preparation programs, eight for initial licensure and one for advanced licensure to teach.

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), and Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Early Childhood Education programs that prepare graduates to teach a variety of subjects in Pre-K through fifth grade.

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program that prepares professionals to teach middle grades education (grades 4-8) in two of four content areas of middle grades education: language arts, mathematics, social studies, and broad field science.

• The unit prepares secondary teachers (6-12) for initial licensure in English, Broad Field Science, Mathematics, and History. Upon completion of program requirements and achievement of a passing score on the GACE Content Examination in specific content areas, candidates are eligible to receive from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission an initial certificate to teach secondary education in grades 6-12.

• The unit prepares music education teachers (P-12) for initial licensure. Upon completion of program requirements and achievement of a passing score on the GACE Content Examination in specific content areas, candidates are eligible to receive from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission an initial certificate to teach music education in grades P-12.

 

Post-Baccalaureate Programs

The Post-Baccalaureate (certification only) programs provide students who have a bachelor’s or higher degree, the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to begin a successful career as a teacher in one of the following fields: Early Childhood Education (P-5), English (7-12), General Science (7-12), History (7-12), Mathematics (7-12), Middle Grades Education (4-8), and Music Education (P-12). Students seeking certification in one of these programs must demonstrate a sound knowledge of the discipline and an understanding of learning. The curriculum requires the equivalent of a major in the discipline.

 

Important School of Education Links

• School of Education Newsletter
• Teacher Preparation Program Handbooks
• Meet the Faculty and Staff
• Guidelines for Cooperating Teachers

 

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Sandra Leslie Dean, School of Education 706-233-7268 sleslie@shorter.edu	Dr. Gary Ross Chair, Department of Education 706-233-7326 gross@shorter.edu
Dr. Susan Earwood Director, Graduate Education Programs 678-260-3602 searwood@shorter.edu	Dr. Kelley Castlin-Gacutan Director, Center for Teacher Preparation 678-260-3565 kgacutan@shorter.edu