Program Decision Points:
Initial/Advanced

Initial Program Decision Points:

The Unit has multiple indicators and multiple decision points for candidates prior to program completion.The multiple decision points for the teacher education unit include four stages. (See Ongoing Assessment for Candidate Performance, Teacher Education for a more comprehensive overview).

Decision Point I: Meet Admission Standards:

Candidates must meet a list of pre-requisites prior to the application being submitted to the Teacher Education Program. Most candidates complete these prior to or during their junior year.

Decision Point II: Faculty Review of Candidates Application:

Once candidates have successfully completed the pre-requisites, faculty reviews applicants’ portfolios to determine if candidates’ written comments, academic performance and dispositions are acceptable.

Decision Point III: Faculty Admit Candidate to Internship/Student Teaching:

Candidates are observed and assessed by faculty and school personnel to determine candidates’ proficiency prior to student teaching/internship. This stage requires candidates to successfully complete numerous courses, practicums and to be assessed on multiple criteria by faculty and school personnel. Upon completion of all prerequisites, a candidate applies for admissions to student teach.

Decision Point IV: Candidates Demonstrate Program Completion Criteria:

State competencies, national societies and the goals from the conceptual framework are used to guide this final stage of the assessment. Faculty, cooperating teachers, and university supervisors utilize numerous activities during the student teaching/internship experience to determine a candidate’s proficiency. These activities include portfolios, as well as demonstrating knowledge, skills, and dispositions as defined in the unit’s conceptual framework and state competencies.

During the completion of stage four, the Undergraduate Advisement Center reviews candidates’ academic program to determine if all graduation qualifications have been met.

(Note: The unit has for many years used a procedure we entitle “Selective Review.” A faculty member in conjunction with the department head can call this hearing. Selective reviews are often called when faculty feel that a candidate’s academic performance, attitude, disposition or performance in a practicum is in question.)

Advanced Level Decision Points (Master's):

Each graduate/advanced program has similar procedures for determining a candidate’s proficiency.

Decision Point I: Meets Admission Standards:

Graduate/Advanced programs work with the graduate school to determine if a candidate meets the requirements outlined by the specific department or program. If a candidate meets admission standards then the application is submitted for faculty review.

Decision Point II: Faculty Review Candidates Application:

Faculty review application to determine if a candidate can be admitted to program.

Decision Point III: Program of Study:

Candidate successfully completes the outlined program of study. This will include courses, practicum experiences, and other activities outlined by the program. Once prerequisites to the internship are completed, candidates apply for the internship experience.

Decision Point IV: Internship/Experience:

Candidates participate in a practical experience that is supervised by faculty and approved practitioners or clinical supervisors. These experiences are guided by state competencies, national societies, and the unit’s conceptual framework. If candidates successfully complete this experience then they qualify to participate in the next stage.

Decision Point V: Comprehensive Exams:

Comprehensive exams vary somewhat within each program. Candidates participate in a written and/or oral comprehensive exam that faculty review. Upon successful completion of this experience candidates are recommended for graduation.

Decision Point VI: Graduation:

Advisor, department head, and graduate school conduct final review of a candidate’s program of study and application for graduation.

Advanced Level Decision Points (Doctoral):

Each graduate/advanced program has similar procedures for determining a candidate’s proficiency.

Decision Point I: Meets Admission Standards:

Graduate/Advanced programs work with the graduate school to determine if a candidate meets the requirements outlined by the specific department or program. If a candidate meets admission standards then the application is submitted for faculty review.

Decision Point II: Faculty Review Candidates Application:

Faculty review application to determine if a candidate can be admitted to program.

Decision Point III: Program of Study:

Candidate successfully completes the outlined program of study. This will include courses, practicum experiences, and other activities outlined by the program. Once prerequisites to the internship are completed, candidates apply for the internship experience.

Decision Point IV: Internship/Experience:

Candidates participate in a practical experience that is supervised by faculty and approved practitioners or clinical supervisors. These experiences are guided by state competencies, national societies, and the unit’s conceptual framework. If candidates successfully complete this experience then they qualify to participate in the next stage.

Decision Point V: Comprehensive Exams:

Candidates participate in both a written and oral comprehensive exam that faculty review. Upon successful completion of this experience candidates are recommended for the dissertation stage.

Decision Point VI: Dissertation:

A candidate must present to faculty a proposed research study. Once approved, the candidate must complete the research project and defend their dissertation to faculty. Upon successful completion of the dissertation, the candidates are recommended for graduation.

Decision Point VII: Graduation:

Advisor, department head, and graduate school conduct final review of a candidate’s program of study and application for graduation.