The School of Education is recognized for preparing educators who are ready for the classroom. Even though theory is at the core, significant time is spent in very practical applications of the current best practices in the classroom. The traditional programs in education have a strong field-based component, allowing pre-service educators a variety of opportunities to work with children in the early childhood, middle school, and/or high school settings. Alternative programs are also available for individuals who have a bachelor's degree and would like to pursue educator certification. The overall design of the program stems from careful review, state and national standards, and the best practices defined in current research and application. Other special features of the program include the following.
Faculty
Degrees
To earn a degree, students must complete the curriculum and meet other requirements for a degree listed in the academic policy section of this catalog.
Educator Certification Program
The Lubbock Christian University Educator Certification Program is accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and holds membership in the Consortium of State Organizations for Teacher Education (CSOTTE), Texas Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (TACTE), Texas Directors of Field Experiences (TDFE), Texas Association of Certification Officers (TACO), Independent Colleges and Universities in Texas (ICUT), and Texas Coordinators for Teacher Certification and Testing (TCTCT).
The university offers the following approved certification programs. These programs meet the requirements for certification in the state of Texas. Students interested in seeking certification in a state other than Texas should notify the Director of Certification in the School of Education for more information. Additional information is also available in the institutional disclosure statement for programs leading to licensure or certification.
Education coursework is designed to prepare teachers to integrate technology into instruction that is consistent with TEA/ISTE Technology Application standards while also training educators to effectively collect, manage, and analyze data in order to enhance student academic achievement. EEL/EDS 2320, EDS 4310, and EEL 4320 focus on these standards.
Certification programs are subject to change by the accrediting agencies. Students should check with their academic department advisor for exact requirements.
The Educator Certification Council (ECC) is responsible for ensuring that educator certification candidates possess the basic skills and qualities necessary to perform their duties in a professional and Christ-like manner. The council is comprised of deans and faculty representing the departments offering educator certification. The council meets twice each long semester. As required by the Texas Education Agency, the council has established admission requirements for all programs of study leading to educator certification. All program applicants must:
Undergradute students must be admitted to the ECP prior to Methods. Applications must be submitted to the Director of Certification by October 15 or March 15. The Educator Certification Council (ECC) reviews completed applications each semester.
Criteria for Admissions to the ECP
Submission of an application portfolio containing the following items:
Students must be admitted to the ECP upon enrollment to the University. Applications must be submitted to the Director of Certification by October 15 or March 15. The Educator Certification Council reviews completed applications each semester.
Criteria for candidacy in the Educator Certification Program leading to certification with the Texas Education Agency.
Applicants must demonstrate the teaching qualities outlined in the ECP Mission Statement or demonstrate a potential for positive development of these qualities. The Educator Certification Council (ECC) will evaluate these qualities through an analysis of the faculty recommendations, faculty interviews and the student self-evaluations that are included in the application portfolio. Interviews are required and will be scheduled. Educator qualities include the following.
The School of Education will examine completed application portfolios. The ECC will review the application portfolio and vote to approve or deny admission into the ECP. If admission is denied, applicants may reapply to the Director of Certification. If the council denies admission to an applicant that has met the basic academic criteria, a process for appeal is available through the Dean of the School of Education.
After formal admittance to the ECP, candidates should seek approval for the content TExES from the appropriate department chair. The content department chair will submit testing authorization to the director of certification. The candidate must complete the appropriate TExES content test within 45 days of this approval to test.
The council will review each complete application and vote to either approve or deny admission to candidacy. If the council denies admission to an applicant who has met the basic academic criteria, a process for appeal is available through the Dean of the School of Education. Upon letter of approval of entrance to the Educator Certification Program, Program Chairs/Coordinators will approve a candidate to take their Content TExES exam. A candidate must complete that test within 45 days of notice of approval to test.
Submit an application for candidacy to the Field Office Coordinator by October 15 or March 15 to be eligible to enroll in clinical teaching for the following semester.
Progression to clinical teaching is based on the following criteria for undergraduate candidates.
Candidates may contact the office of the Director of Certification during the clinical teaching semester for questions regarding state certification procedures. When a candidate has met all requirements and submitted all fees, the School of Education will recommend the candidate for certification to the Texas Education Agency.
The university Educator Preparation Program encourages its participants and students to discuss their concerns with an appropriate program employee and make every reasonable effort to resolve concerns informally. However, participants in the program may submit written complaints at any time. Neither the program nor any program employee shall retaliate against participants for raising concerns or for submitting written complaints. Written complaints may be submitted using the university complaint system which is linked on the student right to know web page on the university web site. Procedures for resolving complaints and for appealing decisions are also provided on that link. If any complainant is not satisfied with an outcome, the complainant may file a complaint against the program with the Texas Education Agency. The Texas Education Agency complaint process can be found at this link. The Texas Education Agency complaint process is also linked on the student right to know web page on the university web site.
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in Early Childhood Education
Requirements to be certified to teach age 4/Pre-K through 6th grade (Core Subjects EC6).
Notes: Grade of at least a C is required for each academic specialization and major course except for REA 3340, where a grade of at least a B is required. To register for the Methods Block students must meet each requirement for unconditional acceptance into the School of Education.
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in Middle School Education
Requirements to be certified as a specialist in grades 4 through 8.
Notes: Grade of at least a C higher is required for each academic specialization and major course. To register for the Methods Block students must meet each requirement for unconditional acceptance into the School of Education.
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in Secondary Education
Requirements to be certified to teach grade 7 through 12.
Candidates must select either the composite or specialization route to complete this degree. The composite route consists of 48-51 hours in the chosen field listed below under composite teaching fields. The specialization route consists of 48 hours; 30 hours in one specialization content area and an additional 18 hours in a selected area of emphasis. The specialization route should culminate with certification in the area of specialization and the opportunity to add certification in the emphasis area after graduation.
Composite Teaching Field Route-select one of the following two composite teaching fields.
Specialization Teaching Field Route-select one 30 hour area of specialization and one 18 hour emphasis area.
Emphasis-The emphasis may be selected from one of the specialization areas or additional options including EC-12: Art, Music, Physical Education, Spanish, and Theatre. Please see content advisor and refer to the major courses listed in the appropriate section of this catalog.
Notes: Grade of at least a C is required for each academic specialization and major course. To register for the Methods Block students must meet each requirement for unconditional acceptance into the School of Education.
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree with Educator Certification in Middle or Secondary School
Students seeking to earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree and educator certification must complete the following:
Methods Block
Clinical Teaching Block
Notes: Minimum grade of C is required for each education course, except for EDS 4660 where at least a B is required. To register for the methods block students must meet each requirement for admission into the ECP. Prior to enrolling in the clinical teaching block, students must pass the appropriate TExES exam for their specialization. Students in this program may be eligible to complete a portion of these requirements through an internship. Consult your academic advisor for more information.
Minor in Early Childhood Education
Completion of minor in early childhood education does not include coursework necessary for teacher certification.
(18 hours)
Minor in Secondary Education
Completion of minor in secondary education does not include coursework necessary for teacher certification.
(18 hours)