The Teacher Education Program

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The four checkpoints below outline the progressive requirements of the Teacher Education Program and serve as a guideline for students as they move toward licensure as an elementary education or Special Education major, for secondary licensure along with a disciplinary major, or when completing the Post Baccalaureate Certification Program. At each checkpoint the candidate’s file is reviewed by the local Teacher Education Committee (TEC) to ensure that the requirements have been met and to approve the student’s progress through the checkpoint. As will be noted in the description of each major, specific education courses (EDCO, EDUC, ESSI, SEDU, and TESL) may require that the student has passed a specific TEP checkpoint before enrolling in the course.

Based on submitted information, at each checkpoint the local teacher education committee will:

Fully approve the candidate to pass through the checkpoint; or,
Deny the candidate. Reasons/rationale for denial will be shared in writing with the candidate.

Each candidate will have an opportunity to address deficiencies in a timely manner.
Candidates will be informed of their right to appeal the decision.

Checkpoint I: Progress through Educational Foundations and Acceptance to the Teacher Education Program

Teacher Education Program Application
The following courses completed with a minimum grade of “C- “

EDCO 250 Educational Psychology/Human Development and Field Experience
ESSI 101 Introduction to Exceptional Learners

All: Completion of Background Check: Students must complete a background check prior to beginning their first field experience. The background check will be conducted by BVU’s Human Resource department and is at the student’s expense.
All education and content courses taken to this point passed with a minimum grade of “C-“. This includes all course work for major, secondary certification content, and endorsement content.
Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 2.5
Minimum of 3 credits successfully taken at BVU
Successful completion of Educator Disposition Assessment
Successful completion of the SOE Orientation.
Two professional progress reports recommending the candidate for admission
Professional conduct policy, confidentiality, universal precautions, and mandatory reporter statements signed
Agreement to meet the technology specification as described in the Teacher Education Program application

Checkpoint II: Completion of Educational Foundations and Continuing with Theory into Practice

Checkpoint II Application
The following courses completed with a minimum grade of “C- “

All: EDCO 280 History of American Education
All: EDCO 390 Instructional Technology and Innovative Teaching
All: ESSI 303 Methods of Teaching Differentiated Curriculum and Field Experience
Secondary Licensure and Post Bacc: SEDU 310 Standards, Assessment and Instruction for Engaged Learning
Secondary Licensure and Post Bacc: SEDU 365 Methods of Reading in the Content Areas and Field Experience
Elementary Education: MATH 123 Mathematics for Elementary Education I
Elementary Education and Special Education Major: EDUC 336 Literacy Foundations I Online
Special Education Major: EDUC 337 Literacy Foundations II or SEDU 337 Literacy Foundations II

All education and content courses taken to this point passed with a minimum grade of “C-“. This includes all course work for major, secondary certification content, and endorsement content.
Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
Successful completion of Educator Disposition Assessment.
If, since Checkpoint I, the student has been on a growth plan related to the Teacher Education Program Professional Conduct Policy, the student must have successfully achieved the goals of the plan.

Checkpoint III: Developing Professional Identity and Acceptance to Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culminating experience in the teacher education program. It is designed as an opportunity to apply skills, theory, and knowledge gained during the teacher preparation program to a real-life educational setting.

Checkpoint III Application
All education and content courses taken to this point passed with a minimum grade of “C-“. This includes all course work for major, secondary certification content, and endorsement content.
All major, and minor if applicable, requirements complete.
Students must complete a background check prior to beginning the student teaching experience. The background check will be conducted by BVU’s Human Resource department and is free of charge to the student.
Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 2.5
Minimum major grade point average of 2.5. If applicable, minor grade point average of 2.5
Successful completion of Educator Disposition Assessment.
If, since Checkpoint II, the student has been on a growth plan related to the Teacher Education Program Professional Conduct Policy, the student must have successfully achieved the goals of the plan.
Resume, References, and Letter of Introduction for the cooperating school submitted to the Education Field Experience Office
Senior standing and in residence (as defined by the university catalog) the semester/term immediately preceding student teaching.

Checkpoint IV: Licensure Requirements

Each semester/term the Licensure Officer or designated official meets with student teachers to discuss the licensure procedure. The state sets fees related to licensure. The student is responsible for payment of the fees. Students are provided information and appropriate forms to apply for licensure. The basic requirements that must be in order to be recommended for licensure are as follows:

Successful completion of Buena Vista University degree requirements
Successful completion of the teacher education program that Buena Vista University has on file with the Iowa Department of Education
Minimum BVU cumulative grade point average of 2.5
Minimum grade of a “C-” in each of the student teaching placements
Successful completion of Educator Disposition Assessment
Fingerprinting/background check 10-12 weeks prior to completion of student teaching
Graduates are required to meet Buena Vista University’s major requirements for their first endorsement area. Additional endorsement areas may be obtained by completing the Buena Vista University requirements or the Iowa minimum requirements for licensure. Individuals should consult with their advisor and the Licensure Officer about these options.
Recommendation for Iowa licensure upon program completion will be subject to requirements in effect at the time of recommendation. Any changes to the Teacher Education Program that Buena Vista University has on file with the Iowa Department of Education or to the licensure requirements from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners must be met. Failure to meet program completion requirements in a timely manner may, at minimum, require additional courses and/or field experiences.

Teaching Licensure Requirements For Other States:

The teacher education programs at Buena Vista University provide coursework meeting the Department of Education and Board of Educational Examiners requirements for Iowa certification. An individual desiring licensure in a state other than Iowa should contact the Department of Education in that state as soon as possible and request certification requirements. By learning early what courses are needed for other states’ certification, individuals can plan to meet those requirements by taking appropriate courses at Buena Vista University.