Teacher Education Program

In our OBU Teacher Education Program, our vision is...

To equip and empower our candidates to be teachers like the Master.

Our Mission is...

To provide the curriculum and environment that will prepare future teachers who

• Are student-centered and see teaching as ministry;
• Possess the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for effectively educating all students;
• Are life-long learners involved in their disciplines and professional development.

At Ouachita, this happens in the context of a Christ-centered community.

Accreditation

The Huckabee School of Education is accredited by the state of Arkansas and NCATE – The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Ouachita is CAEP (Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accredited.

Certification

Candidates completing the approved programs in education are eligible for teacher licensure in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas has reciprocity with other states. Some states do require additional tests or requirements unique to that state.

Approved Science of Reading Pathways

Ouachita has met DESE requirements for the Science of Reading instruction in our programs of study. The approved credential pathways are: Proficiency Credential and Awareness Credential.

• The Proficiency Credential Pathway listed here is part of the Elementary Education licensure program of study. Candidates who successfully complete the Elementary Education program of study concurrently meet the Proficiency Credential.
• The Awareness Pathway Credential listed here is part of the programs of study for all other licensure areas. Students who complete programs of study for K-12; 4-8; or 7-12 education concurrently meet the Awareness Credential.
• The Awareness Pathway Credential for endorsements (ECED, ESL, and SPED) is also listed here.

Other candidates who transfer into the program or plan to pursue an endorsement to an existing degree will be required to provide proof of an Awareness/Proficiency Credential or take the prescribed course(s) to meet the appropriate pathway requirements.

Grade Point Requirements

Admission to the Teacher Education Program requires a minimum Grade Point average of 2.7 overall. A GPA of 2.7 must be maintained in one of the following areas with a minimum of 2.5 in the other: Teaching Field (licensure area) and Professional Education requirements.

Four-Year Experience

Education majors can finish their programs in four academic years. The Teacher Education Handbook is available electronically and contains sample four-year programs for each licensure area.

Facilities

The Huckabee School of Education is located on the third floor of McClellan Hall. Classrooms are equiped with either SmartBoard or Promethean technology tools to prepare candidates for classrooms in the schools in which they will teach. The Wetherington Teaching-Learning Center houses a computer lab, Ellison dies, and other materials available for creating presentation and teaching materials.