2025-2026 Adrian College Academic Catalog

Teacher Education Levels of Progression

TEACHER PREPARATION INCLUDES THREE LEVELS OF PROGRESSION:

T ED Progression through Level One

Level 1 involves introductory course work in the Teacher Education department and completion of Essential Liberal Arts Requirements. Any undergraduate student can enter Level 1 of the Teacher Education Program and is encouraged to meet with their academic advisor during advising sessions to ensure program requirements are being met and they are on track to progress to the next level of the teacher education program.

Within Level 1, the introductory course is: T ED240: Foundations of Education (3). T ED240 is open to all students, allowing candidates to explore and experience the profession before making a larger commitment. The next courses in the level 1 sequence include: T ED204, T ED205/ 205L, and T ED217/ 217L: Adolescent Development at the Secondary and K-12 Level with a co-requisite clinical experience course or T ED206: Child Development at the Elementary Level.

In addition, criminal background checks and self-reporting of misdemeanors/felonies are required. The Michigan Department of Education has the right to deny, suspend or withdraw teaching certificates in response to an individual’s record of misdemeanors or felonies. To ensure that candidates are adequately counseled regarding possible results of such convictions, they are asked to sign a “Rule 101.1 Statement” a number of times throughout the program. Fraud or misrepresentation in this process may result in removal from the Teacher Education program. In addition, candidates participating in clinical placements may be required to complete background checks/volunteer forms as required by districts that are utilized for the clinical placements. It is the responsibility of the teacher candidate to complete this process. The Adrian College Student Code of Conduct also allows for further sanctions.

T ED Progression to Level Two

T ED courses in the Professional Education Sequences require a formal approval into the Teacher Education Program. Applications for Level 2 are submitted while enrolled in TED 205. Once applications are reviewed students will be asked to participate in interviews with Faculty Members from the Teacher Education Department. Acceptance into Level 2 of the Teacher Education department will be permitted upon completion of all Level 1 coursework and will be determined based on the following criteria:

  1. Constant demonstration of professional dispositions necessary for success in teaching as outlined in Adrian College Teacher Education Professional Disposition Policy.
  2. Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  3. No grade lower than a C+ for any T ED courses or content area course.
  4. Successful completion of and positive evaluations from required clinical experiences.
  5. Positive recommendations from faculty.
  6. Evidence of strong writing and public speaking skills, grade of B- or better required in CCC100, and CCC102 (or have transfer credit equivalency).
  7. Participation in a T ED Level Two interview and a qualifying score on the rubric for all areas.

Candidates who fail to meet the criteria will be denied progression further into Level Two. Along with meeting this criteria during Level 2 progression, a student must continue to meet the criteria listed above to continue progression and ensure continued eligibility for level 2 courses, as the Teacher Education Department will continue to monitor a students’ ability to meet the criteria listed above. Failure to maintain the criteria listed above may lead to removal from Level 2 or ineligibility for additional T ED courses until deficiencies are corrected. Candidates who are denied initial progression into Level Two or continued progression in Level Two may file an appeal as determined by the Teacher Education Department.

More information about the Level 2 application process is described in the Guide to Teacher Certification.

T ED Progression to Level Three

Progression to the Professional Semester is also by application. Courses undertaken during the Professional Semester include T ED400: Associate Teaching (11-12 cr), T ED407: Assessment and Evaluation (2 cr) and T ED444: Seminar (2 cr).

As with progression to Level 2, a formal review is completed for each candidate. In addition to the Level 2 criteria outlined above, candidates must provide evidence of completion of a minimum of 200 contact hours of clinical experience ensuring that the grade band span has been met for PK-3/3-6, secondary and K-12 programs. In addition to the above criteria eligibility for program completion and certification includes passing scores on required MTTC subject area tests in endorsement areas, and successful completion of the Associate Teaching experience. Students who withdraw from the college and subsequently return may be required to meet any new or changed program requirements. The Michigan Department of Education stipulates a five-year window for submitting a program completer’s recommendation for certification.

Application for the Professional Semester is due in February of the school year prior to Associate Teaching.

Criteria for Progression to Level Three:

  1. Attendance at mandatory Associate Teaching Information Meeting in January and April.
  2. Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  3. All Content Area and Teacher Education courses are completed with a final grade of a C+ or higher.
  4. Demonstration of professional dispositions necessary for success in teaching as outlined in the Adrian College Teacher Education Professional Disposition Policy
  5. Demonstration of appropriate writing skills, through submission of Biographical Information Form
  6. Positive Clinical Experience evaluations
  7. Appropriate progress towards completion of 200 hours of field experience. (Completed cumulative logs are due at the start of Final Exam week of the semester before Associate Teaching. Failure to complete this requirement may lead to removal from the Professional Semester.)
  8. Passing of the required Professional Knowledge and Skills MTTC test and an attempt on at least one required MTTC test.

Associate Teaching Placements

Teaching placements are coordinated and assigned by the Associate Teaching Coordinator(s) in collaboration with the Placement Coordinator. During the application process, applicants may indicate any specific requests or needs. While placement decisions aim to align with these preferences and are guided by the criteria outlined in the Guide to Teacher Certification, there is no guarantee that all special requests can be accommodated. Placement approvals depend on multiple factors, including availability, program requirements, and the approval of local partner schools, administrators, and mentor teachers.

Orientation Experience

All Associate Teachers whether fall or spring semester, must participate in any back-to-school events (professional development) planned by their assigned schools. This includes participating in the school’s back-to-school preparation activities and attending the opening day of school. Furthermore, during the Associate Teaching semester students will follow the academic calendar of the district they are placed.

Completion of Associate Teaching

Associate Teachers are periodically evaluated according to a list of competencies reflecting the Teacher Education Department’s program outcomes. If competencies are not attained in the designated semester by the required deadlines, the experience may be extended, at the discretion of the Coordinator(s) of Associate Teaching and the teacher education department. Candidates experiencing significant difficulties achieving expectations may be withdrawn from the placement, and the Coordinator(s) will determine whether an alternate placement will be offered.

Withdrawn students (or those who have been dismissed) will not be refunded tuition and fees beyond the refund policies described elsewhere in this catalog. Students failing to complete Associate Teaching in the assigned semester will be required to reapply in order to be eligible for a new placement; readmission will be determined by the Coordinator(s) of Associate Teaching and the Teacher Education Department chair. Students repeating the Associate Teaching experience, for any reason, will be required to pay full tuition and fees.

Planning Additional Classes or Activities during the Professional Semester

Associate Teachers must enroll in:

  • T ED 444 Seminar (2)
  • T ED 407 Assessment and Evaluation (2)

Plans to enroll in additional courses or participate in other college activities during the Professional Semester must be reported on the Associate Teaching Application and pre-approved by the Coordinator(s) of Associate Teaching.

Teacher Certification Majors and Minors

  • Candidates who wish to be certified to teach grades 6-12 or 7-12 (Mathematics and English Language Arts only) must select a secondary major content area. Additionally, candidates may choose to add a minor area as well, though it is not required. Candidates who choose to add a minor should work with their academic advisor to determine the number of semesters required to complete all coursework.
  • Comprehensive majors including K-12 Health/Physical Education, Visual Arts, Music, Spanish, Secondary Social Studies and Secondary Integrated Science do not require an additional minor.
  • With the approval of the Teacher Education Department Chair, courses taken in fulfillment of a teaching major or minor requirement may also be used to meet cognate requirements in other teaching majors or minors.