Lucinda S. Spaulding, B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Chair, Special Education
Professor of Education

Esther Alcindor, B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D.
Chair, Early and Elementary Education
Associate Professor of Education

Andrea Beam, B.S., M.A.T., Ed.S., Ed.D.
Chair, Middle Grades and Secondary Education
Professor of Education

Purpose

The mission of the Educator Preparation Program at Liberty University is to develop competent professionals with a Christian worldview for Christian, public, and private schools.

Excellent teachers are an invaluable asset to the home, church, community, and nation. The Educator Preparation Program at Liberty is designed to provide a program of study and preservice experiences that will foster teaching excellence and stimulate improvements in teaching practices in Christian, public, and private schools. The program is designed for teacher candidates who are preparing to teach kindergarten, elementary, and middle school, as well as high school students. Those wishing to pursue careers in middle school, or high school teaching may do so in the following areas: biology, business, computer science, English, family and consumer sciences, history/social sciences, mathematics. Comprehensive licensure may be completed in the following areas: music (vocal or instrumental), health/physical education, Spanish, special education, studio art, teaching English as a second language, and theatre arts.

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

1. Formulate knowledge of learner development, learning difference, and learning environment.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the discipline area and the application of content to connect concepts and engage learners.
3. Plan instruction using multiple methods of assessment and instructional strategies to develop a deep understanding of the content for all learners.
4. Develop a Biblical worldview and professional responsibility through ongoing reflection and professional development experiences where opportunities are provided for leadership and collaboration with stakeholders.

Definitions For Dispositions – Scrip:

1. Displays a sense of Social responsibility
2. Demonstrates Commitment/ work ethic
3. Demonstrates Reflective practice
4. Displays personal Integrity
5. Displays Professionalism

Teacher Endorsement Areas

Teacher preparation and endorsement are available through the Teacher Education Department in cooperation with departments offering majors in the following teacher endorsement areas:

Elementary

• Elementary education (preK – 6) [Integrated Studies major]
• Middle education (grades 6 – 8) [only with preK – 6]

Secondary (6 – 12)

• Biology
• Business
• Computer Science
• English
• Family and Consumer Sciences
• History/Social Sciences
• Mathematics
• Studio Art

Comprehensive (preK – 12)

• English as a Second Language
• Health/Physical Education
• Music: Choral or Instrumental
• Spanish
• Special Education (K-12) [Integrated Studies major] General Curriculum
• Theatre Arts (preK – 12)

Add-on Endorsements

• Algebra I
• Chemistry (only with Biology)
• Computer Science
• Journalism
• Speech
• Theatre Arts (preK – 12)

Minor (Non-licensure)

• Special Education

Educator Preparation Provider (EPP)

The Educator Preparation Provider (EPP) Program is designed to meet licensure requirements of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the candidate’s approved concentration. The University has approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Educator Preparation Provider Program has been officially approved by the Virginia Department of Education and is accredited under NCATE Standards through the CAEP Accreditation System. Graduates of Liberty’s approved educator preparation programs are eligible for licensure within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Completing Virginia licensure requirements will generally be necessary if the teacher candidate intends to seek licensure in another state.

Several states have additional licensure requirements beyond what is specified for graduation from an approved program at Liberty. However, teacher candidates are typically able to gain licensure and to begin teaching in another state while completing the additional requirements. Assistance in securing licensure from other states, information about licensure requirements in states other than Virginia, and help in obtaining necessary applications for out-of-state teaching credentials may be obtained from the Teacher Licensure Office. In addition to state licensure, students who complete the Educator Preparation Program at Liberty are eligible for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) certificate.