School of Education

Teacher Education

Thomas More University’s legacy is in training and developing the best teachers possible for the K-12 community. The Department of Education incorporates the teacher competencies found in the national standards for teacher education (AAQEP), state standards (Kentucky Teacher Performance Standards), and high-leverage practices to develop teachers who can demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required to facilitate learning for all students in a diverse and global society.

Why study Teacher Education at Thomas More University?

The Education Department of Thomas More carries out the mission of the University by preparing individuals for the teaching profession and related educational endeavors. Education majors at Thomas More begin field work in their very first education course (EDU 101). The Education Department ensures students are in the P-12 settings for their entire course of study. Education faculty work closely with local school districts to embed theory and practice with P-12 faculty and students throughout the tri-state area. District feedback indicates Thomas More teacher graduates are among the best prepared new teachers in the region.

ADDITIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM INFORMATION

What will I be doing?

Students begin by taking education courses along with core courses required by the University.

  • By sophomore year: Take and Pass CASE exams
  • Spring of sophomore year: Apply to the teacher education program
  • By junior year: Take and Pass Praxis II Content exams
  • Spring of junior year: Apply to Student Teach

Students are placed in area schools beginning with EDU 101: Introduction to Education, observing teachers in their classrooms. As students continue in the program, they are able to assist teachers with helping their students one-on-one. Students begin creating lesson plans during their junior year.

Students are required to complete 200 hours of field work before student teaching, which takes place in their senior year.

Thomas More’s Education Department faculty are all certified teachers and have experience in all levels of teaching. Several faculty have served as principals and superintendents as well. The faculty collaborate with many local schools through clinical partnerships and practices to provide diverse learning experiences for all students from multiple community members.

Education graduates typically teach in Kentucky, Ohio, or Indiana. A Thomas More graduate can teach almost anywhere in the U.S., although some states have additional requirements that need to be fulfilled.

The teacher education program includes advanced degree options: Master of Arts and Teaching, and Master of Education and Teacher Leadership.

Teacher certification prepares students to teach in P-12 settings in schools as a certified classroom teacher.

Recipients of the BAES degree can explore education-related fields, such as instructional assistant level positions, public policy in education, design and development of curriculum assessment products, business leadership training, teaching in informal educational settings (e.g. museums, outdoor education), working with individuals with special needs (outside the typical classroom environment), or other related fields in education.

The teacher education program places teacher candidates in classrooms at local public and private elementary, middle, and secondary schools. Students observe teachers, have the opportunity work with students one-on-one, and assist the teacher with various educational tasks. These experiences are invaluable when clarifying which level or content area students wish to teach or when deciding whether teaching is truly the career they wish to pursue.

Education majors are required by the state of Kentucky to complete 200 hours of field experience prior to student teaching. The majority of these hours are fulfilled via education courses. There are some hours students will need to attain on their own in order to reach the 200-hour goal. These consist of experiences working with school-aged individuals in a non-paying position. Most can be earned through local schools, churches, or within the community.

The culminating event for experiential learning is student teaching. Depending on the major, student teachers are assigned to one or two schools and complete a total of 15 weeks in the classroom(s).

There is also the opportunity for students to complete their student teaching abroad through the Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) program. Thomas More

Students may declare education as their major upon admission to Thomas More. However, during the spring semester of the sophomore year, an application to officially enter the teacher education program must be submitted to the Education Department.

In light of the program’s standards and the need to prepare students for the PRAXIS I exam, first-year education majors with under a 22 ACT score take EDU101 as a sixteen-week course during their first semester at Thomas More.

Students who have earned a 22 or higher on the ACT are exempt from PRAXIS I and only need to take the first eight weeks of EDU101 during their first semester.

To be considered for admission to the Teacher Education Program, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Minimum GPA: 2.75
  • Completion with appropriate grade of EDU 101/201/202 and COM 105
  • Successful completion of the Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE) in Reading, Writing and Mathematics
  • Acceptable Dispositions
  • Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts background check (required in EDU 101)
  • VIRTUS compliancy (attended training session, complete VIRTUS background check; remain up-to-date with monthly bulletins
  • Accurate Record of Field Experience/KFETS entries

In the spring semester of the junior year students submit an application to student teach.

The following must be met in order to be considered for Student Teaching:

  • Senior Status: minimum of 90 semester hours completed
  • Teacher education program: Previous admission and continuation in good standing
  • Professional Education Courses: Completion of three-fourths of required courses, including field work through junior level
  • Degree Audit with Certification Officer/Senior Advisor
  • Minimum GPA: 2.75
  • Praxis II/Subject Assessment test(s): Passing score(s) on relevant test(s)
  • Acceptable Dispositions
  • VIRTUS: Candidates must remain compliant throughout student teaching
  • 200 Hours of Field Experience completed, as required under 16 KAR 5:050 Section 3
  • Record of Field Experience and KFETS entries must be accurate and up-to-date

The Morow Family Scholarship is available to juniors who have been accepted into the teacher education program on a bi-annual basis. The Education Department provides information to students who qualify regarding the application process.

Undergraduate Programs

Prepare for a career in education with a Bachelor of Arts in Education or a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies.  As part of a liberal arts university, you’ll gain a strong understanding of core principles of education in relation to human development and learning. Growing as a compassionate teacher or education professional, our goals include inspiring learning and strengthen students’ relationships with their own communities. With a BA in Education from our program, you will have a strong understanding of content necessary to gain your initial state teaching certificate, pass your PRAXIS exam and effectively teach.

Graduate Programs

Thomas More University offers the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in a certifiable content area but do not have teaching certification. This program embeds Kentucky teacher certification requirements into a master’s degree program that supports new teachers.

Thomas More University alum Jason Payne

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