The School of Education’s Christ-centered mission is to develop and empower dedicated professional educators committed to student learning in a global society. The teacher preparation program is firmly established, guided by, and assessed using the School of Education (SOE) Model for Effective Teaching (see graph). The core and central component of the model is the University’s Concept and the integration of faith in all learning experiences. The six foundational domains and four professional elements ensure that every teacher candidate is knowledgeable, skilled, and effectively prepared for success as a professional educator. Assessment processes are reasonable and consistent and data from those processes informs decisions concerning all aspects of the educator preparation program.
Teacher Education Accreditation
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) recognizes the School of Education at Spring Arbor University as a fully accredited educator preparation program. The next CAEP accreditation visit will occur in spring 2025.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) requires that all educator preparation programs receive national accreditation status. Upon successfully completing the chosen program of study, candidates participating in the Spring Arbor University School of Education accredited program are eligible to become recognized “certified teachers” by the MDE.
Teacher Certification
The teacher preparation program at SAU is approved by the MDE for teacher certification in Michigan. Students desiring Michigan teacher certification are responsible for meeting all certification requirements of the MDE, whether or not they are explicitly stated in this catalog. Candidates for certification as an elementary educator must pass the appropriate grade level Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC). Candidates for certification as a secondary educator must pass the MTTC in their content major.
Elementary certification covers PK-3, 3-6, or PK-6 all subjects. Secondary certification covers grade 6 through 12 in the candidate’s major and minor disciplines. K-12 endorsements for elementary candidates are English as a Second Language and Special Education: Learning Disabilities. K-12 endorsements for secondary candidates is Special Education: Learning Disabilities.
School of Education Policies and Procedures
Policies and procedures for the SOE are located in the Handbook, which is revised annually and provided to students in EDU 140 - Exploring Critical Skills for the Professional Educator . In order to complete the teacher education program, a student must successfully meet the program requirements in effect at the time of the student’s first semester of enrollment at SAU.
Disclaimers:
- MDE Administrative Rules, state laws, and changes in requirements of accreditation bodies may supersede any requirements printed in the catalog or SOE handbook.
- The state of Michigan is in the process of modifying the structure of teacher certification from elementary or secondary to grade bands. This will affect every teacher education student in Michigan.