I am a certified/licensed teacher. What are my professional development and course-option opportunities through The Ohio State University at Newark?
Licensed/certified teachers have many opportunities to pursue their professional development through Ohio State Newark. Click here for options on projects or professional development opportunities you may participate in on an individual bases, or that may be specifically designed for your school or a group of teachers. Although our licensure programs prepare professionals to teach in pre K-grade 3, or grades 4-9 settings, our professional development and graduate level courses for currently licensed/certified teachers serve professionals across all grade levels, K-12.
Licensed/certified teachers may complete coursework at Ohio State Newark in pursuit of a masters degree, a Reading or P-6 Mathematics Specialist Endorsement, or simply as graduate non-degree students taking individual courses without pursuing a terminal degree.
Though we do not offer licensure in special education at this time, we offer selected courses that apply towards licensure.
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I am interested in becoming a teacher. What licensure programs are offered at The Ohio State University at Newark?
Ohio State Newark offers a Master's in Education (M.Ed.) with licensure programs that qualifies candidates to teach at the early childhood (age 3 – grade 3) or middle childhood (grades 4-9) levels. An undergraduate degree is required for admission to the program.
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How do I get a special education licensure?
Thanks for your interest in pursuing special education as a career and licensure to do so at The Ohio State University at Newark. This is a noble and wise endeavor as special education teachers are in short supply in our state and across the country. Many countries are also in the fledgling stages of implementing special education programs. Anyone with this licensure has excellent opportunities for employment in many areas of the state, country, and world.
Unfortunately, at this time, Ohio State Newark does not offer any special education licensure programs. Information about our Columbus campus program is available at our website http://ehe.osu.edu/paes/specialeducation/default.htm
If you're wondering why there is a special education professor at the Newark campus if there is no special education program, it is because all general education teacher candidates are required to have two special education courses. Dr. Hessler teaches those courses. As a result, there are some classes that can be taken on the Newark campus that would count towards a special education course of study at the Columbus campus (9 credit hours/3 classes at this time, perhaps another 3 hours/1 class in the future).
In general, Ohio State Columbus offers a bachelor’s degree and initial licensure in special education. You can also pursue a master’s degree and licensure in special education if you already hold an Ohio teaching license. Ohio State Columbus also offers a master’s degree without the licensure component, one in special education and one in Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition, if you hold an existing Ohio teaching license and want to pursue licensure only (without a master’s degree) in special education, that course of study is available as well.
Here is some general information about special education licensure. Ohio State (Columbus campus) offers licensure programs for the three state of Ohio special education licenses: early childhood intervention, K-12 mild-moderate intervention specialist, and K-12 moderate-intensive intervention specialist.
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How is the M.Ed. program structured?
The Ohio State Newark M.Ed. program is a graduate level program that builds on the undergraduate courses and experiences. The program may be taken full- or part-time. Full-time coursework begins in the autumn quarter, and continues through the end of the spring quarter. Summer is reserved for work on the master's project and preparation for student teaching, and student teaching is the following autumn quarter. By the end of the student teaching quarter, all requirements for licensure will have been completed, so students may start substitute teaching in the schools while they complete their Capstone course (offered one evening during the second winter quarter), the exit project, and job search. Those students who complete all requirements are awarded their M.Ed. degree at the end of the winter quarter.
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What are you looking for in an applicant?
Qualified applicants share three characteristics:
- strong academic preparation at the undergraduate level, some work experience, and qualifying test scores
- high interest and commitment to working with children and young adolescents as indicated by community service, statement of intent and activities listed in your resume
- high interest and commitment to education as a profession as indicated by your application materials, including letters of recommendation.
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What rewards are there for being a teacher?
Teaching is a rewarding career in many ways:
- Teachers touch the future through the children in their classes, and through their professional work with parents, other educators, and the communities in which they work.
- Knowing you helped children learn is very satisfying.
- Teaching allows you to apply your creativity.
- Starting salaries for teachers are competitive with many other professions. Salaries increase with experience and training.
- Retirement and health benefits are excellent. Teachers with 35 years of experience can retire with 89% of the average of their last three years income.
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How much time does it take to complete the M.Ed. program?
Full-time graduate students in the M.Ed./licensure program take classes all three quarters the first year, participate in student teaching during the autumn quarter of the second year, and complete their M.Ed. with one additional course during the winter quarter of the second year and completion of the masters project. This Capstone course is offered in the evening so M.Ed. candidates may begin working in the schools during the day as substitute teachers, and may begin the application process for full-time teaching positions. Part-time students may complete the courses required for licensure in two years or more, and may complete the remaining courses and requirements for the master's degree post-licensure.
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What will I learn in the program?
The School of Teaching and Learning at Ohio State Newark seeks to provide exemplary leadership to its constituencies, both within and beyond traditional school settings. The purpose of the school is the effective preparation and continued education of teachers so that these teachers can respond to the needs of all learners. The school strives to advocate on behalf of all learners. Further, the school promotes scholarship pertaining to the understanding of teaching and learning processes and the developing of effective forms of education among its students and faculty.
To these ends you will take coursework and have field experiences that arm you with the fundamentals of pedagogy that prepare you to work with students of various skill levels and backgrounds, to prepare high quality lessons, to align curriculum and assessment, to score students' work with accuracy and confidence, to use technology to facilitate learning, to manage classrooms, and to work productively with other professionals. You will be placed in schools that are working hard to improve their own programs to meet the challenges of our current social, political, and work environments.
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How will I know if I'm prepared to teach by the end of the program?
Teacher candidates work in collegial relationship with Ohio State Newark and school-based supervisors to monitor progress and identify specific needs, based on the appropriate standards for early and middle childhood educators. Reflective self-assessment is a major part of work of candidates so they emerge from the program confident and competent.
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Is there an application deadline?
The deadline to apply is December 1. Applications received after that time may be considered on a space-available basis.
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Are there specific academic requirements I must meet to be eligible for admission into the M.Ed. program at The Ohio State University at Newark?
Typically, applications are judged on a combination of G.P.A., G.R.E. scores, and letters of recommendation and intent. Nearly always the successful applicant will have a 3.0 G.P.A. or better. Contact Karen Prost in the advising office for information on application procedures or requirements.
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Are there course prerequisites that must be taken before enrolling?
For information, contact Marilyn Barber or Karen Prost in the Ohio State Newark Advising Office.
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I already have a bachelor's degree and I would like to become a teacher. What courses must I take before I can start the licensure/M.Ed. program at The Ohio State University at Newark?
Students wishing to enter the teaching profession from a field outside of education may have more requirements to complete before entering the M.Ed. than education major students would. For information and a review of your individual case, please consult with Karen Prost in the advising office.
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What if I want to teach at the high school level?
The Ohio State University at Newark does not offer licensure programs for the secondary level. But many of the pre-licensure undergraduate courses may be taken at Ohio State Newark. For information about pre-licensure coursework to teach English Education (7-12), Social Studies and Global Education (7-12), Foreign and Second Language Education (K-12), Math, Science (7-12) and Technology (4-12) Education, Art Education (K-12), and/or Music Education (K-12), please contact Gregory Halbe, academic advisor & staff assistant. For information about special education/intervention specialist licensure, contact Kynthia Droesch, Assistant Director of Academic Studies in the college of Physical Activities and Educational Services (PAES) at droesch.4@osu.edu.
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What is the cost and is financial assistance available?
Current information on the costs of graduate school tuition is available on line. Click here. Financial assistance is available. Click here to be directed to the financial aid website.
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How can I financially support myself while in graduate school?
Many Ohio State Newark students work during the summers to help defray the costs of tuition; some have part-time jobs during the academic year. The graduate courses and work load is significant, so for the full-time M.Ed. student, working during the year should be avoided if possible and minimized otherwise. Part-time students may base the pace of their progress through the licensure requirements on financial needs in terms of work and family.
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May I go to the M.Ed. program part-time?
Beginning in the fall of 2008, teacher candidates in the M.Ed. and Early and Middle Childhood licensure programs may enroll part-time. Course schedules have been adjusted so courses will be available to accommodate the schedules of both full-time and part-time students.
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May I transfer courses to the M.Ed. program from another college/university?
Students wishing to enter the licensure program with degree work from another university may have more requirements to complete before entering the M.Ed. than Ohio State University students would. For information, and a review of your individual case, please consult with Karen Prost in the advising office.
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Is it possible to complete courses required for licensure first and continue to complete the M.Ed. after I have a teaching position?
The new structure of the M.Ed. and licensure program will allow candidates to complete the requirements for licensure prior to completing the M.Ed. program. For more information on this option click here, contact Diana Erchick, Education Department Coordinator, or contact Karen Prost, Education Academic Advisor at (740) 366-9333.
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What are the licensure requirements in Ohio?
The Ohio Provisional Teacher License, valid for two years, is the first license that a graduate may be granted and is required for participation in an entry-year program. The provisional license is good for up to two years. During this time, an entry-level teacher must satisfy specified criteria and pass a performance assessment (PRAXIS III) in order to be granted his/her first professional teaching license, good for five years.
The two-year provisional license will be issued to individuals who complete the following requirements:
- Hold a degree required by the license
- Fulfill all requirements and completed an approved program of teacher preparation (such as the Ohio State Newark program).
- Are deemed to be of good moral character.
- Have not been convicted of a felony (any misdemeanors, other than traffic offenses, will be reviewed by the Ohio Department of Education's legal department).
- Successfully completed professional examinations required by the State Board of Education (PRAXIS II).
- Demonstrated skill in integrating educational technology into instruction for children.
- Completed required Application for Licensure Forms.
A professional teacher license, valid for five years, will be granted to individuals who complete the following requirements:
- Hold an appropriate provisional certificate
- Are deemed of good moral character (have not been convicted of a felony)
- Successfully completed an approved program of teacher preparation
- Successfully completed an Entry-Year Program
- Successfully completed a performance assessment during the Entry-Year Program (PRAXIS III).
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How important is the accreditation that The Ohio State University at Newark receives from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)?
By working with the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the National Middle School Association (NMSA), Ohio State Newark’s School of Teaching and Learning has been able to receive national recognition for having a high-quality education program overall. To achieve this recognition we submit documentation of our program, which goes through a peer-review process. Faculty from around the country (who have been trained by NAEYC, NMSA, and NCATE) review the early and middle childhood licensure programs at other institutions of higher education; only those programs that meet the rigorous standards receive accreditation.
In general the report and review process leads to the recognition of high-quality programs, the development of well-prepared early and middle childhood professionals, and good outcomes for young children and their families. At Ohio State Newark the process ensures that our program meets national standards, serves the needs of pre-service educators, and prepares graduates for their professional work as educators of young children.
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Will I get a job when I am finished?
There are more jobs for new teachers now because many Ohio teachers are retiring, and will be over the next 5-10 years. In Ohio there is a great demand in math, science, and special education in particular. Graduates who are willing to relocate have multiple job offers and Ohio State Newark has a very high hire rate for our graduates.
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What if I want to teach in another state or abroad?
If you are interested in teaching in states other than Ohio, you should review that state's requirements with the education advisor early in your program. Ohio currently participates in the Interstate Licensure compact with 26 states. Final authority for issuing licenses rests with the individual states. Some of our graduates have moved to other states to teach. Some have taken jobs overseas.
At the Ohio page (http://certificationmap.com/states/become-a-teacher-in-ohio/) you can find reciprocity information for (State's name) teacher certification.
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How can I get additional information?
Click here and send a request. After completing and sending the e-mail form, the appropriate faculty or staff person will contact you to answer your questions or set up an appointment to discuss the program options.
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