The department of
education offers an
elementary education
major, a secondary
education major and
minor, and education
courses for endorsements
in academic disciplines.
Students successfully
completing the
professional preparation
program for teacher
education are eligible
to apply for teacher
licensure. The Teacher
Preparation Program
complies with and is
accredited by the State
of Iowa Department of
Education.
Teacher
Preparation Program
The professional
preparation program for
teaching in private and
public schools begins
with the Educational
Foundations course. This
course includes 10 hours
of field experience
mandated by the Iowa
Department of Education
and serves as the
gateway to the education
program. It is a
prerequisite for all
other education courses.
Students who complete
the requirements for
this course are eligible
to apply for admission
to the education
department. The
application, available
from the chair of the
education department, is
to be submitted by March
15 of the year in which
the foundations course
is taken.
Acceptance into the
Teacher Preparation
Program
The formal application
for acceptance into the
Teacher Preparation
Program is screened by
the Teacher Education
Committee. The screening
criteria include:
1. a grade of “C”
in WRTG 109 or
passing the writing
competency in the
education
department;
2. a cumulative and
major grade point
average of 2.5;
3. a grade of “C” in
accepted speech
course or passing
the speech
competency in the
education
department;
4. a letter of
nomination from a
Briar Cliff
University faculty
member outside the
education
department;
5. successful
completion of the
pre-professional
skills test (PPST)
(reading 173,
writing 172,
mathematics 172);
6. other appropriate
items—e.g.,
mathematics,
speaking, writing,
listening
assessments and/or a
personal interview;
7. an understanding
of and personal
characteristics
necessary to
teaching; and,
8. Teacher Education
Advisory Committee
recommendation of
acceptance.
When accepted, the
student is notified. If
a student does not meet
the above criteria, the
reasons for
non-acceptance will be
given to the student.
Once accepted into
the Teacher Preparation
Program, students are
required to maintain the
standards under which
they were accepted.
Personal qualities
required of a teacher
are also required of
students in the
education department.
These qualities include
but are not limited to:
the ability to complete
work on time,
punctuality and
attendance, the ability
to accept guidance in
teaching, and the
ability to relate to
other people.
To enroll in 300 and
400 level courses in the
professional core,
students must be
admitted to the Teacher
Preparation Program.
this includes EDUC01IR
and EDUC02IR 97
Internship (Student
Teaching)
Iowa School Law requires
each student in the
teacher preparation
program to complete a
minimum of 12 weeks of
internship. The student
will make formal
application for
internship on or before
March 15 of the year
preceding the one in
which the internship
will be undertaken.
Forms for application
and faculty
recommendation are
available from the chair
of the education
department. After the
required forms are
submitted to the chair
of the education
department, an interview
with the chair of the
department is scheduled.
During the interview,
the chair and the
student evaluate the
student’s progress in
the education program
and readiness for the
internship. The
internship is a
full-time
responsibility. The
intern is required to
follow the schedule and
activities of the
cooperating teacher,
including after-school
meetings and activities.
This educational
experience should be
scheduled during a term
in which the student is
free of
other college classes,
sports, and work.
Licensure
When the internship is
completed, the student
meets with the chair of
the education department
to initiate the process
for licensure.
Transfer Students
Transfer students and
students who make late
decisions are subject to
the same screening
procedures and are
required to meet the
standards as described
above.
Title II Program
Information
One hundred forty-nine
students were enrolled
in teacher preparation
programs at Briar Cliff
University during the
2003-04 school year.
Thirty-three students
were in programs of
supervised student
teaching. There were
five supervising faculty
for student teaching
programs during the
2003-04 school year.
Three supervising
faculty were appointed
full-time faculty in
professional education.
The student/faculty
ratio was 6.6.
Briar Cliff
University student
teachers averaged 40
hours per week in
supervised student
teaching. Supervised
student teaching was for
a total of 12 weeks.
The Teacher
Preparation Program at
Briar Cliff University
is currently accredited
by the State of Iowa.
The Teacher Preparation
Program is not under a
designation as
“low-performing” by the
State.
Teaching in the
Catholic School System
Briar Cliff University
prepares students for
teaching in Catholic
schools by offering
courses which provide
the students with the
background needed for
consideration in the
Catholic school system.
The four dioceses of
Iowa have agreed to give
preferential hiring to
students who have Iowa
licensure and have taken
the following courses:
One course in each of
the areas of scripture,
sacraments, and
morality, and:
EDUC 300 - Foundations
and History of Catholic
Schools
EDUC 400 - Ministry of
Catholic School Teaching
