2024-2025 Catalog
Education Undergraduate
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Bunce School of Education
College of Arts and Sciences
Anniversary Hall
740-245-7328 office; 740-245-7523 fax
schoolofeducation@rio.edu
Mission Statement
The School of Education at URG/RGCC holds a shared vision for its program, candidates and community. The URG/RGCC Bunce School of Education & Liberal Arts provides a challenging environment in which teacher candidates develop into professional individuals and are sensitive to Appalachian values. Our institution offers access to a professional career through a unique community college/private university configuration. An example of Rio Grande’s unique nature is that through a particular program alignment, teacher candidates at URG/RGCC may opt for some combination of a two, plus two, plus two program which will take them almost seamlessly from a two-year Associate’s Degree to a four year Bachelor’s Degree and into a two-year Master’s program. This allows the University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College to open “Windows to the Future” for our candidates at all degree and licensure levels.
Accreditation
The University of Rio Grande is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). The Teacher Education unit has been approved by the Ohio Department of Education and accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Additionally, some licensure areas are nationally recognized by their respective Specialized Professional Association; these are noted within each licensure area.
Teacher Education Conceptual Framework
The Bunce School of Education & Liberal Arts at the University of Rio Grande (URG) recognizes the core values of our Appalachian culture, especially ties to community and place and connection to family. URG is a teaching and service institution whose primary focus is to provide educational opportunities and open “The Windows to the Future” for students of Appalachia in Southeast Ohio. This purpose is in alignment with the mission of the institution, historically and today.
The Bunce School of Education & Liberal Arts faculty provide the parameter for their conceptual framework through the theme of “Windows to the Future” which is accomplished through the Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession. Three main organizers dominate the framework: the Focus of Teaching and Learning, the Conditions for Teaching, and Teaching as a Profession.
Approved Licensure Areas
The University of Rio Grande has program approval from the Ohio Department of Education to offer teacher licensure in the following areas:
- Career Technical 27 Hour - ages 12 - 21 (grades 7-12)
- Prekindergarten
- K-12 Intervention Specialist
- Primary Pre-K- Grade 5 & Primary Pre-K-Grade 5 Intervention Specialist
- Primary Pre-K-Grade 5 & Intervention Specialist (K-12)
- Middle Childhood - ages 8 - 14 (grades 4 through 9)
Must select two of the following concentrations:
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Science
- Adolescent to Young Adult-ages 12 - 21 (grades 7-12)
Must select one of the following licensure areas:
- Integrated Language Arts
- Integrated Social Studies
- Integrated Mathematics
Endorsements
The School of Education at the University of Rio Grande offers an Ohio Department of Education approved Early Childhood Generalist Endorsement attachment to the teaching license. This endorsement is available to Early Childhood candidates who wish to add grades 4-5 to their licensure areas. In order to obtain the Early Childhood Generalist Endorsement, teachers must successfully complete the courses outlined in the Endorsement program, and receive a passing score on the appropriate Pearson examination.
Admission to the Teacher Education Program
The application for admission to the Teacher Education Program will be completed during the student’s enrollment in EDU 20403 - Planning for Instruction . Enrollment in upper level (30000-40000) education (EDU) courses is only allowed upon satisfaction of the following standards:
Requirement |
Specifics |
Notes |
3.0 GPA in 3 classes |
ENG 11103 , ENG 11203 , and COM 11103 |
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Overall 2.5 GPA |
In 27 General Education hours |
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ACT score of 19 |
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For score of 17 or 18, see the Education Dept. Chair |
Submit 2 essays |
“The URG Conceptual Framework” and “My Philosophy of Education” |
Completed during EDU 20403 and EDU 10303 |
Sign a statement of Good Moral Character |
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As defined in Section 3319.30 of the Ohio Revised Code |
A clear background check |
Apply through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) |
Available at the URG Bookstore |
Current, clear tuberculosis test (TB) |
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Test is available through URG Health Services |
Pass an interview |
Satisfactory rating by panel of EDU faculty |
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Removal from Teacher Education Program
The Faculty Advisory Council will be chaired by the Education Chair. The Council may outline a program of improvement or recommend immediate removal from the Teacher Education Program. The candidate may file a grievance as outlined in the University of Rio Grande Student Handbook.
A candidate may be asked to appear before the Faculty Advisory Council for the Teacher Education Program comprised of full-time faculty of Teacher Education to address any one of the following issues:
- Evidence that the candidate is not of Good Moral Character as defined in Section 3319.30 of the Ohio Revised Code. The state of Ohio will not license anyone convicted of a felony.
- Failure to maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 in licensure area and/or at least an overall 2.5 G.P.A. for greater than two consecutive semesters.
- Concerns from the Coordinator of Field Experiences, principal, cooperating teacher, School of Education Faculty or other school personnel indicating unsuccessful field/clinical experiences, or moral character.
- Concerns from faculty indicating a candidate’s difficulties in URG School of Education knowledge, skills, dispositions, or moral character.
Field Experience
All candidates registering for field experience courses, other than Clinical Practice, will note the following:
- The teacher candidate must show verification before entering any field experience of a negative T.B. test according to Ohio State Law. URG Health Services is available to administer T.B. Tests for enrolled candidates.
- Candidate must have a current and clear background check from BCI.
- The teacher candidate will comply with all responsibilities outlined in the School of Education Field Experience Handbook. The teacher candidate will also comply with field requirements as outlined in course syllabi.
- A teacher candidate may be removed from a field experience by the Coordinator of Field Experience. Procedures for removal are outlined in the Field Experience Handbook.
- The field experience is a section of the course grade.
An incomplete in a field experience will result in an incomplete or “F” in the course grade.
Multi-culture Experiences
The teaching of multi-culture education is threaded through the Professional Education courses. In addition, a course is designed to focus on multi-culture: EDU 30303 - Multicultural Relations .
Junior Field Experience
The final field experience for teacher candidates is EDU 39103 - Junior Field Experience . Candidates must complete an application process prior to admission to Junior Field Experience. The application is submitted to the Junior Field Instructor and placement is handled by the Field Experience Coordinator. In addition to completing the application, the teacher candidate must adhere to the following standards:
- A GPA of 2.5 in General Studies courses
- A GPA of 3.0 in Professional Education courses, curriculum content, and in Methods courses (with no grade below a “C”).
- No final course grade of Incomplete or the letter grade of “F” on transcript.
- Submit two letters of recommendation from faculty members (forms are included in the application). One recommendation must be from an Education faculty member and one from a Licensure Area faculty member.
- The candidate must have verification of a negative TB test before entering Junior Field Experience.
- Candidate must have a current and clear background check from BCI.
- Completion of a majority of Methods Courses (form is included in the application).
- EDU 33302 Integrating Educational Technology to be taken concurrently with Junior Field Experience.
Clinical Practice
The capstone activity for the University of Rio Grande Teacher Education Program is twelve weeks of clinical practice. The teacher candidate must work with a master teacher in the classroom for the full day during this experience and must remain after school for the same amount of time that is required for the master teacher. The candidate will be assessed by the master teacher and the University of Rio Grande college supervisor using an assessment based on the Ohio Teaching Standards, Specialized Professional Association standards and URG School of Education standards.
Admission to Clinical Practice
Teacher candidates must complete an application process, which is accompanied by a résumé and a degree audit. The Clinical Practice Coordinator is responsible for accepting and placing candidates into clinical practice. If the area of licensure requires two placements for clinical practice, the candidate will be placed in a setting that was not completed during the supervised experience in EDU 39103 - Junior Field Experience .
All candidates placed into Clinical Practice must adhere to the following performance standards:
Requirement |
Specifics |
2.5 GPA |
Overall |
No “F” on transcript or a course grade of Incomplete. |
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GPA of 3.0 with grade of “C” or better |
In all Curriculum Content, Methods courses and Professional Education courses |
Passing score |
On required Ohio Assessment for Educator exams for pedagogy and content area. |
Junior Field Experience |
Grade of “C” or better |
Current, clear tuberculosis test (TB) |
Test is available through URG Health Services |
Current, clear BCI and FBI background check |
Available through URG Bookstore |
Enroll in EDU 48902 |
This course is taken concurrently with clinical practice. No other courses may be taken without Clinical Practice Coordinator approval. |
Clinical Practice Experience
During the clinical practice experience, the teacher candidate will be expected to adhere to the following performance standards:
- Orientation and seminars must be attended by the teacher candidate.
- The teacher candidate must follow policies outlined in the Clinical Practice Handbook.
- The teacher candidate must follow policies outlined in the School Handbook for the placement school. The teacher candidate is expected to follow the master teacher’s assigned schedule including after school duties.
- A grade of “B” or better is required for licensure.
Removal from Clinical Practice
A teacher candidate may be removed from clinical practice by the Clinical Practice Coordinator. Procedure for removal from clinical practice is outlined in the Clinical Practice Handbook.
After two unsuccessful attempts at clinical practice, the candidate will be required to repeat courses in the Teacher Education Program. Courses will be determined by the advisor, university supervisor (if a full-time instructor), and Director of Clinical Practice. The Education Chair may ask other faculty to participate in the decision-making process.
Teacher Licensure
The Licensure Agent at the University of Rio Grande recommends teacher candidates to the Ohio Board of Education for teacher licensure. The following standards must be met before application for teacher license is recommended:
- All of the performance standards listed under “Admission to Clinical Practice”.
- A letter grade of “B” or better in clinical practice.
- A final audit which confirms successful completion of all course work required for the requested teacher license area(s).
- A clear criminal background check and clear FBI check.
No person may receive a teacher license who has been convicted of a felony. University of Rio Grande Campus Bookstore has electronic fingerprinting available to students.
Institutional Report Card: Title II
In April of each year, the University of Rio Grande issues an Institutional Report on the Quality of Teacher Education beginning with the 2000-2001 academic year. This report contains both summary information and data concerning the Pearson test passing rates of Teacher Education program completers of the previous academic year. Both aggregate and individual test data are reported. The Institutional Report on the Quality of Teacher Education is a federal mandate under the Higher Education Act of 1998: Title II, Section 207, which requires public reporting on the success of institutions in preparing teachers and is available on the ODE website.
Common General Education Requirements
Professional Education Requirements
ProgramsAssociate of Applied ScienceBachelor of Science- Adolescent to Young Adult Integrated Language Arts Education, B.S.
- Adolescent to Young Adult Integrated Mathematics Education, B.S.
- Adolescent to Young Adult Integrated Social Studies Education, B.S.
- K-12 Intervention Specialist, B.S.
- Middle Childhood Language Arts/Mathematics Education, B.S.
- Middle Childhood Language Arts/Science Education, B.S.
- Middle Childhood Language Arts/Social Studies Education, B.S.
- Middle Childhood Mathematics/Science Education, B.S.
- Middle Childhood Mathematics/Social Studies Education, B.S.
- Middle Childhood Science/Social Studies Education, B.S.
- Primary Pre-K-Grade 5 and Intervention Specialist (K-12): Four Year Dual Licensure Program, B.S.
- Primary Pre-K-Grade 5 and Pre-K-Grade 5 Intervention Specialist: Four Year Dual Licensure Program, B.S.
MinorCertificateEndorsementCoursesEducation: Licensure
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