Curriculum and Instruction
Educational Administration
Frank Halstead, Interim Chair
The teacher education programs at the University of North Texas have a long history of preparing highly competent teachers. As the needs of children and schools of Texas change, the programs continue to change. A recent initiative is that of Professional Development Schools, which are collaboratively organized by the College of Education and area school districts. In 1992, the College of Education received an $800,000 grant from the Texas Education Agency as one of the first eight Centers for Professional Development and Technology. The grant was renewed in 1993 for $450,000 and again in 1994 for $480,000. This money has enabled the college to begin collaborative arrangements with schools in Dallas, Denton and Aubrey.
In the next five years, the teacher preparation programs will become field-based with UNT students spending more time in schools and receiving more instruction at the school sites. Technology and inclusion also are main emphases in teacher preparation for the 21st century.
Programs in teacher education are approved by the Texas Education Agency. The department offers teacher certification programs in elementary education and secondary education both for undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduates seeking certification in elementary education should enroll in the Bachelor of Science program with a major in interdisciplinary studies. Undergraduates seeking certification in secondary education receive a degree though their major department and add the required courses for certification.
Students who already possess an undergraduate degree from an accredited university may have their undergraduate transcript evaluated in the College of Education Office of Student Services in Matthews Hall, Room 105, for a post baccalaureate certification plan.
1. The student must have a grade point average of 2.75 in the University Core Curriculum (general studies courses).
2. The student must have successfully completed the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test.
3. The student must have junior standing and have completed the University Core competency and curriculum requirements.
4. The student must complete the university core curriculum. See "University Core Curriculum Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog. Programs in teacher education require specific courses contained in parts of the University Core Curriculum to satisfy particular degree requirements. Students must consult program advisers for a list of required courses. Students may be required to take extra courses if they fail to take these courses.
The first requirement is successful completion of an approved teacher education program for the preparation of elementary teachers. Also required for the certificate is the satisfactory completion of the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (ExCET).
Those seeking basic elementary certification must present acceptable scores on the Elementary Professional Development Test and Elementary Comprehensive Test on sections of the ExCET. Those seeking additional certification are required to make satisfactory scores on exams related to the endorsement or delivery certification they seek. Students being recommended for teacher certification by UNT must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 and a 2.75 in academic discipline courses, specialization courses and all education courses.
Students working on a post baccalaureate certification plan for teacher certification may be required to demonstrate proficiency in a classroom setting through the successful completion of a supervised field experience and/or student teaching.
Advising should be sought in the departmental office, Room 206, Matthews Hall. The student, with advisement, makes decisions relating to the program of study. The degree plan is subsequently prepared in the College of Education Office of Student Services in Matthews Hall, Room 105. Students should pick up completed degree plans in Matthews Hall, Room 105, and check them for accuracy. Any changes in degree plans must be approved by the academic departments and the teacher education departmental office.
The undergraduate program typically requires a minimum of 132 semester hours. The specific number of hours required is determined by one's choice of academic fields, academic discipline and certification option as described below.
Degree Requirements for the Bachelor of Science with a Major in Interdisciplinary Studies
Candidates for the Bachelor of Science must meet the following requirements.
1. Hours for the Degree: Completion of minimum of 132-135 total semester hours; 42 hours must be advanced.
2. General University Requirements: See "General Degree Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog.
3. University Core Curriculum: 53-55 hours
See "University Core Curriculum Requirements" in the Academics section of this catalog for additional information.
6. Electives: 3 hours, Fine Arts, Computer Science, Mathematics, Foreign Language or Physical Science.
7. Other Course Requirements: MATH 2090;
8. Other Requirements:
Students are encouraged to see their adviser each semester for help with program decisions and enrollment.
Option I certifies the student to teach in grades one through six. The number of semester hours varies depending on the academic specializations chosen, but all hours count toward the interdisciplinary studies major.
Inactive, see adviser.
Option II: Academic Specialization
Option II, academic specialization, certifies the student to teach in grades one through eight, including the middle and junior high schools. The number of semester hours in the academic discipline vary but all hours count toward the interdisciplinary studies major.
One academic specialization is required. Available specializations include biology, earth science, English, French, geography, health, history, kinesiology, mathematics, music, Spanish, speech and theater arts.
Twelve semester hours of reading are required. Twelve semester hours across two academic fields other than the first academic field must be taken as combination-of-subjects (composite) courses.
Option II: Reading
Option II, reading, certifies the student to teach in grades one through eight, including the middle and junior high schools. All 18 semester hours of required reading specialization courses count toward the interdisciplinary studies major. Eighteen semester hours in an academic discipline and 18 semester hours across two academic fields other than the discipline must be taken as composite courses.
Option III: Special Education
The generic special education delivery system certifies the student to teach grades one through 12.
The generic special education delivery system consists of 24 semester hours, 18 of which count toward the interdisciplinary studies major. Eighteen semester hours in an academic discipline and six semester hours of reading are required. Twelve semester hours across two academic fields must be taken as composite courses.
This delivery system does not provide certification in severely emotionally disturbed/autistic or severely and profoundly handicapped; however, such programs are available at the graduate level.
Option III: Life-Earth Science
The student may choose an academic specialization in life-earth science that certifies the student to teach in grades one through eight, including middle and junior high schools.
All 30 plus semester hours of the life-earth science academic specialization option count toward the interdisciplinary studies major. Twelve semester hours of reading are required. Six semester hours across two academic fields other than the first academic field must be taken plus composite courses to complete the required 54 hour total.
Option IV: Early Childhood Education
Option IV, the early childhood delivery system, certifies students to teach in grades prekindergarten through six.
The early childhood delivery system option consists of 24 semester hours, 18 of which count toward the interdisciplinary studies major. Eighteen hours in an academic discipline plus six semester hours of reading are required. Twelve semester hours from two academic fields other than the first academic field must be taken with enough hours in composite courses to complete 54 required hours.
The generic special education endorsements in teaching the severely and profoundly handicapped and the severely emotionally disturbed autistic child are available. A special education adviser should be consulted for the program relating to these endorsements.
The programs in elementary, early childhood and reading education have five scholarships available to undergraduate students.
The Rena Mae Matthews, John Houston Douglas and Mary Carlisle Webb scholarship funds provide for grants each year to junior and senior students seeking elementary certification who have been admitted to teacher education.
The Phillip and Margaret Walker Memorial Scholarship is available each year to a senior student seeking certification in education.
The Robert and Martha Carter Scholarship in Child Development and Early Childhood Education provides for a grant(s) each year for a student of junior or senior standing. The recipient must be a full-time student majoring in child development or seeking certification in early childhood education.
Information on these scholarships may be obtained in the Elementary Education Office in Matthews Hall, Room 206.
Undergraduate professional development courses in secondary education constitute a minor on bachelor's degree programs in the College of Arts and Sciences or the College of Business Administration. The program of studies offered in secondary education meets all professional development requirements for Texas teacher certification.
For students receiving a BA or BS degree in the College of Arts and Sciences, the following professional education courses are required for certification: EDSE 3800, 3830, 4060, 4070, 4108, 4118 and 4840.
Students seeking certification under Option II must complete a major of at least 30 hours in one discipline for a first teaching field and have at least 24 hours in a second field. Some disciplines require more than these minimums. Option II teaching fields are available in the following areas.
The teaching fields available under Option III, Broad Teaching Fields, are basic business and business composite. BUED 4503 and 4513 are required for certification in business education.
Option IV: Composite
Composite teaching fields under Option IV are available in English-language arts, science and social studies.
(12 hours) ENGL 4040 or 5040; 4080 or 5080; 5320 (second language acquisition) and 5360 (sociolinguistics).
Traffic Safety
(15 hours for endorsement) DRED 4400, 4410, 4420, 4430 and 5400.
Information Processing Technology Endorsement
Information processing technology endorsement is available through undergraduate or graduate course offerings. For undergraduate students, Level One requires a total of 9 hours: CECS 1100, 3440 and 4100. Level Two requires 15 hours: CECS 1100, 3440, 4100, 4900 and 3 hours of additional CECS course work.
Learning Resource Endorsement, 24 Hours
SLIS 5090, 5210, 5340, 5420, 5430, 5400, 5600, 5720.
Gifted and Talented Endorsement, 12-15 Hours
EDSP 5150, 5160, 5170, 5180, 5430.
Detailed information may be found in the Graduate Catalog.
All Courses of Instruction are located in one section at the back of this catalog.