Heidelberg University’s School of Education has received full national accreditation, without qualifications, from the National Council for Accreditation
of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education. This accreditation is evidence that the university’s initial and advanced programs have proven its commitment to preparing quality teachers.
This accreditation is based on a rigorous review of data supporting program quality and continuous improvement. NCATE requires institutions to provide evidence that prospective educators possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions to positively affect the learning and development of diverse students. Teachers, for example, must know and understand the subject matter they plan to teach and be able to teach effectively so that all students learn.
The accreditation process also requires the institution to have an assessment system in place in order to ensure continuous improvement, as well as evidence of appropriate field experiences, diversity, quality faculty and resources. The institution must have partnerships with P-12 schools that enable candidates to develop the skills necessary to help students learn. The faculty must model effective teaching practices, and the department must have the resources (including information technology) necessary to prepare candidates to meet the rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community.
As part of the accreditation process, the individual licensure programs were reviewed according to the standards developed by the appropriate professional education associations, providing evidence that candidates are prepared to teach in the fields in which they are licensed. The following programs at Heidelberg have fully met the professional standards and are nationally recognized: Early Childhood Education (by the National Association for the Education of Young Children), Middle Childhood Education (National Middle School Association), AYA Social Studies (National 
Council for the Social Studies), AYA Integrated Science (National Science Teachers Association), AYA Integrated Mathematics (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), AYA English/Language Arts (National Council of Teachers of English), Multi-Age Health (American Association of Health Education).
Entering freshmen will be classified as Conditional Education Majors (EDC) and will take EDU 110 or MUS 110 (Music Education majors only), EDU 115 or6 MUS 115 (Music Education majors only) and PSY 101 during their freshman year. Upon successful completion of these courses (C – or higher), students may enroll in EDU 200, the accompanying seminar, and EIS 265/266. A one week residential camp experience with a diverse student population is required in EIS 266. Upon successful completion of these courses (C – or higher), conditional education majors may enroll in EDU 220 and the accompanying seminar. (A 2.75 GPA also is required). Students enrolled in EDU 220 will be required to register to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) examination prior to the end of the course. During EDU 220, students should apply for admission to the Education Licensure Program.
Admission to the Teacher Licensure Program is by application only and is subject to certain requirements. Prior to admission, those who plan to pursue a program in Education must have developed entrance level competency in general knowledge and professional studies as evidenced by the following requirements:
- A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or better
- Demonstration of General Education Proficiency in the following ways:
A score of 175 on each subtest of the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST).
A minimum composite score of 21 on the Enhanced American College Test (ACT) or a minimum score of 1000 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
- Registration for the Principles of Learning (PLT) examination appropriate for the student’s licensure area.
Once accepted into the licensure program, Conditional Education majors will be classified as Education Licensure Candidates (EDL). Conditional Education majors will not be permitted to enroll in 300-level professional education classes until they are classified as EDL. They also must maintain a 3.00 cumulative GPA in order to enroll in any professional education courses at the 300-level or above. (The 3.00 GPA may be waived for candidates who have earned a passing score on all state-mandated tests required for the licensure area.)
Education Licensure Candidates (EDL) must earn state passing scores on all state mandated tests required for their licensure area before they will be permitted to register for student teaching (EDU 426, 427, 428, 429, 430). These include Praxis II tests, designed to ensure that candidates have acquired the minimal knowledge necessary for entry-level teaching positions and examinations provided by ACTFL that assess the spoken and written proficiency if Spanish education majors.
Upon graduation, candidates will receive a four-year Resident Educator license. The Transition Resident Educator Program includes Instructional Mentoring from a trained mentor and a system of formative assessment over the course of one academic year. The mentor and superintendent will then sign the Resident Educator’s application for a professional license, completing the transition to a five-year license.
The state of Ohio requires that all Early, Middle Childhood Majors and those adding Intervention Specialist to complete a reading core of 12 credit hours. These hours are built into the candidate’s program so that “reading teacher” will automatically appear as a teaching area on their license.
(NOTE: this is not equivalent to a reading endorsement). The required courses include EDU 230, 344 or 350, 414 and EIS 285. Anyone who has graduated without reading teacher status may also add reading to their licensure after completing the above courses.
All Education Majors must complete the education licensure core courses. Beyond these, candidates need to complete the courses required for their specific licensure area. Any EDU or EIS course that is used as a prerequisite for any other EDU or EIS course must be passed with a grade of C- or better. “D-” waivers will not be given for pre-requisite courses.
For the 2010-2011 academic year, Heidelberg University had a summary pass rate of 100% on the required Praxis II licensure tests. The 3-year follow-up pass rate on all required Praxis II licensure tests for the 2007-2008 completers cohort is 100%.
Ohio law requires that all persons working in schools with students must complete both an Ohio criminal background check and an FBI criminal background check, conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Identification Investigation (BCII). This includes all education majors who are registered for any course with a field experience component. Incoming first-year students can get details about getting this check done prior to coming to Heidelberg by contacting the education department office.
