Courses

What are the course descriptions for the online classes?

EDSE 5002 - Everyone Can Learn--Applying Theory to Teaching Practice

This course provides information about the processes of learning and development as related to teaching  in diverse secondary school settings.  Cognitive, social, physical, and moral development research is presented, and practical examples applied to teaching practice are demonstrated.  Student differences with regard to intelligence, learning style, culture, economic status, and gender are discussed in detail, and the impact of grouping on student success is explored. The goal of this course is for students to study and understand the learning process and then translate this knowledge into actual classroom practice.  This will empower the teacher to adopt teaching practices that maximize individual learning.

EDSE 5004 -Literacy for All

This course is designed to help prospective and practicing middle and secondary teachers in all content areas increase and enhance students' learning, especially from printed materials. It is also designed to help secondary teachers recognize and compensate for the variety of ability levels in the classroom. The course provides a brief overview of relevant theory with a heavy emphasis on practical applications of that theory. Areas studied will include cognition related to reading, metacognition, schemata, constructivism, vocabulary learning, writing to learn, literacy   strategy instruction, assessment of literacy, text analysis, academic diversity and the use of resources other than textbooks to enhance learning. Students will explore and understand extant theory and research as
related to content literacy and apply this information to practical classroom settings.

EDSE 5005 -The Multicultural Curriculum

This course provides knowledge and skills required for the development and organization of curriculum and instructional strategies in the diverse secondary classroom. Topics include: philosophy and principles of multicultural education; racial and cultural influences on education; Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS); alignment of state, district, and national curriculum standards; the impact of teaching and learning styles on instruction and assessment; online graduate assessment theories, and the relationship of instruction to classroom management. The goal of the course is to provide the student with the necessary skills and understanding involved in curriculum development and to aid in the selection of appropriate instructional strategies associated with implementation of the curriculum. 

EDSE 5470 -Classroom Management and Instructional Strategies in Diverse Settings

Models and procedures for classroom management and discipline, as well as techniques for motivating and instructing students, are presented. Human relations strategies are discussed in great detail, and methods for  increasing parental involvement are also touched upon. A broad array of topics are presented, including what to do before the students arrive, creation of the learning environment, behavioral analysis, legal considerations, conferencing, learning contracts, incentives,  planning, keeping organized, and managing time. Additional topics include: operant conditioning, social learning theory, information processing, constructivism, various approaches to instruction, and motivation theory.

EDRE Course work for English Language Arts and Reading Students

In order to meet the state requirements to teach reading, each Language Arts and Reading candidate must complete an additional six hours of reading coursework. Texas Public schools offer reading classes through tenth grade. Contact the program advisors for more information.

EDSE 5105 -5115 Internship (OR) EDSE 5108-5118 Student Teaching (Field Experience)

Mentored professional in the secondary school. May include teaching under supervision.

Internship
Participation in the teaching internship, EDSE 5105 and EDSE 5115, requires working with school-aged children. According to state law, all candidates must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check in order to work in a school. Candidates who are unable to pass a criminal background check will be immediately dismissed from the program.

When can I begin applying for a teaching position?
Individuals who have been admitted to the Online Teacher Certification Program may begin applying to school districts immediately. Applicants should contact local school districts for applications. Copies of the following documents should be attached to each application filed with a school district:

• letter of acceptance to the Online Teacher Certification program (see  Figure 2)         

• certification plan (see Figure 3 and 4)

• Statement of Eligibility of Internship form (see Figures 5, 6a and 6b). According to state law, all candidates must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check in order to work in a school. Candidates who are unable to pass a criminal background check will be immediately dismissed from the program.

What can I teach?
Public law §230.601 ties Texas teaching certificates to teaching assignments. These teaching assignments can be downloaded from the State Board for Educator Certification website at:
http://info.sos.state.tx.us/fids/19_0230_0601-2.html

Candidates must complete the teaching internship as specified in public law §230.601. Candidates assigned to teaching assignments that DO NOT match the Texas teaching field on their certification plan will NOT receive credit for the teaching internship.

TEXAS REQUIREMENTS FOR ASSIGNMENTS OF TEACHERS
www.sbec.state.tx.us
click on: “school district information”  →   “assignment rules” →  “2030.601” →
scroll down and click on “attached graphic” →  select word or PDF to view

Does UNT place me in an internship?
The Online Teacher Certification does NOT place interns in school districts. It is the responsibility of the applicant to secure a teaching position in order to participate in the teaching internship.

Student Teaching

Is it possible to enroll in student teaching instead of the teaching internship?
Applicants who are unable to secure a teaching internship or who do not desire to participate in a teaching internship may elect to participate in student teaching under certain conditions. Student teaching is an unpaid position in which the student teacher works one semester full-time under the supervision of a master teacher in a local school district. UNT will place student teachers in local school districts that partner with UNT. Please contact the program administrator for information regarding participation and requirements for participation in
student teaching. Placement in student teaching is not guaranteed. According to state law, all candidates must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check in order to work in a school. Candidates who are unable to pass a criminal background check will be immediately dismissed from the program.

***You must apply online for a student teaching placement. Click on this link for more detailed information

http://www.coe.unt.edu//field-experience

Who can student teach?
Anyone who has completed all four courses, met certain observation requirements, and passed the subject ExCET/TExES.

Will substitute teaching experience exempt me from the teaching internship?
Substitute teaching is NOT an acceptable field experience for purposes of teacher certification.

Will working as a Teaching Aide exempt me from the teaching internship?
No, working as a teacher aide does not exempt a candidate from the field experience. Under certain conditions, experience as a teaching aide will make a candidate eligible for a loan forgiveness program sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Follow the link for information about this program.

http://www.collegefortexans.com/Paying/EdAide.cfm

Questions about Course work
Is it necessary to come to campus during participation in the Online Teacher Certification Program?

Each online course (EDSE 5002, EDSE 5005, EDSE 5004, and EDSE 5470) and the teaching internship (EDSE 5105 and EDSE 5115) have mandatory meetings on campus and/or designated sites. The mandatory meeting dates are listed in UNT’s course schedule, during the registration process, and on the Teacher Education and Administration Website. Attendance for the mandatory meetings is required. Important information regarding the course, state testing, internship, and student advising are some of the topics covered in the mandatory meetings. Students who miss the mandatory   meetings will be administratively dropped from the courses they are enrolled in.

Can I take all four courses in one semester?
The maximum coursework that is recommended to be taken in one semester is two courses. Please see the tables below to view the sequence of coursework for each of the model tracks.

 Are textbooks required for the Online Teacher Certification courses?
Yes. Each course requires at least one textbook to complete the course. Texts can be ordered by phone, (940) 565-3191, or via the Internet, www.efollett.com

What is a teaching portfolio?
All EDSE online students begin and maintain a teaching portfolio. Each online course has specific artifacts that are required for the teaching portfolio. Students are encouraged to add examples of materials that document professional growth and expertise related to the art and science of teaching and that follow state and national standards.

What is the sequence of courses I should take?
There are several models with multiple tracks for completing the required coursework, teaching internship, and state mandated tests. Some students may desire to work on teacher certification while working as the teacher of record in a Texas Education Agency (TEA) accredited school district. A list of TEA schools can be found by visiting the following website:
http://oldaskted.tea.state.tx.us/org-bin/menus/nonpublic_schools.pl

The One-Year Model for Concurrent Employment and Coursework consists of three possible tracks and is shown below. This is our most popular model for individuals who want to finish the certification process as quickly as possible. Tables 1-5 illustrate the possible sequences for completing your coursework.

Table 1.  One-Year Concurrent Employment and Coursework Model      

Other candidates may desire to complete coursework prior to employment in a TEA accredited school. There are four possible tracks for the Coursework followed by Teaching Internship model. This is our second most popular model and is shown below.

Table 2. Coursework followed by Teaching Internship Model

However, the Online Teacher Certification Program is highly flexible and a number of additional tracks are possible. General characteristics of any model track include continuous enrollment, completion at least one course in the fall and spring semesters (summer enrollment is not required), completion of a teaching internship in fall and spring semesters (internships are not available during the summer term), and enrollment in one or two courses per semester. Click here to investigate 27 tracks that lead to teacher certification.

Table 3. Begin Coursework in a Spring Semester

The subject area ExCET/TExES is taken during the first semester of coursework.EDSE 5004 and EDSE 5005 may be reversed.

Table 4.  Begin Coursework in a Spring Semester

The subject area ExCET/TExES is taken during the first semester of coursework. EDSE 5004 and EDSE 5005 may be reversed.

 
Table 5.  Begin Coursework in a Spring Semester

The subject area ExCET/TExES is taken during the first semester of coursework.EDSE 5004 and EDSE 5005 may be reversed.