School of Education

Department website: https://www.daltonstate.edu/academics/schools-and-departments/school-of-education/

Mission Statement: Preparing Educators for a Diverse Community of Learners

The School of Education's mission is to prepare competent, collaborative, caring and reflective educators who are committed to excellence in their profession. The Professional Teacher Education Programs are developed collaboratively with public school partners who believe that connecting theory and practice prepares future teachers to raise diverse learners' academic achievement. The curriculum integrates quality academic preparation and supervised field experiences in culturally diverse public school settings. Teacher candidates' completion of the programs ensure beginning teachers are effective and possess a strong academic background in both content and pedagogy; are able to collaborate with parents and community; are caring advocates of learners; and are reflective practitioners who utilize best teaching practices to positively affect student achievement. Teacher candidates in the education programs share a commitment and belief that professional educators can make a difference in the lives of young people.

The teacher education programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC). The DSC Teacher Education programs combine a strong liberal arts core, professional education courses, and practical field experiences. The programs are developed in accordance to the Georgia Standards for the Approval of Professional Education Units and Programs.

Admission to Teacher Education Programs

Acceptance into the Professional Teacher Education Programs is a prerequisite to enrollment in professional education courses. Teacher candidates should file the application for admission with the School of Education. Admission to the program is based on meeting specific requirements. The requirements and procedures for application are on the School’s website and also are available in the School of Education office.

Criminal Background Check

Candidates enrolled in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, EDUC 2150 are required to complete a criminal background check (current to one year) prior to placement in school sites. All school systems in which DSC maintains partnerships with require all DSC students who will be placed for field experiences to have a current background check on file. Candidates must obtain a background check from https://www.castlebranch.com/ only. See School of Education website for specific details on the background check process.

Liability Insurance

Candidates enrolled in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, EDUC 2150, and all upper division professional education courses are required to submit proof of professional liability insurance prior to placements in school sites. Tort liability insurance can be obtained through professional organizations such as Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) or Georgia Association of Educators (GAE).  Each candidate, not Dalton State College, is responsible for what he/she does while participating in professional field experiences. See School of Education website for specific details on obtaining liability insurance.  Policies can be obtained for multiple years.

Mandated Reporter Training

Prior to enrolling in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, or EDUC 2150, candidates are required to submit proof of completion of the on-line mandated reporter training course.  The course can be found at: https://www.prosolutionstraining.com/index.cfm.  See School of Education website for specific details on the reporter training process.  To date, this course is only required to be taken once.

Ethics Assessment

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (PSC) has determined that ethics needs a more prominent place in teacher education programs in the state.  As part of that determination, students will need to pass an ethics assessment prior to registering for EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, EDUC 2130, and EDUC 2150. Students must pass this assessment with a 100%. This assessment is found on D2L/GA View.

Elementary Education Baccalaureate Degree (B.S. Ed) Admission Requirements:

Acceptance to the Professional Teacher Education Programs is a prerequisite to enrollment into the Professional Education courses. Eligibility requirements for teacher candidates seeking a B.S. degree in Elementary Education or a B.S. degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in ESOL and/or ASD include the following:

  • Completion of Core Impact, Program Advice, and Field of Study Requirements in Elementary Education.
  • Completion of Program Advice and Field of Study with grades of C or above.
  • Completion of COMM 1110 and PSYC 1101 with a grade of C or above.
  • Grade point average of 2.7 cumulative in academic work.
  • Proof of professional liability insurance.
  • Proof of completion of the mandated reporter training course.
  • Complete and pass an Georgia Educator Ethics-Program Exit 360 found at GaPSC.
  • Completion of three recommendation letters; one letter MUST be from the EDUC 2110 or EDUC 2150 instructor.  (Recommendation form is provided in the School of Education application packet).
  • After acceptance into the Professional Teacher Education Program, the student must apply for pre-service certification. This requires a background check completed by the GaPSC.

Elementary Post -Baccalaureate Initial Certification Admission Requirements:

Acceptance to the Professional Teacher Education Programs is a prerequisite to enrollment in the Professional Teacher Education courses. Eligibility requirements for potential teacher candidates seeking initial certification in Elementary Education or in Elementary Education with an endorsement in ESOL and/or ASD include the following:

  • Grade point average of 2.7 cumulative in academic work.
  • Proof of professional liability insurance.
  • Proof of completion of the mandated reporter training course.
  • Complete and pass an Georgia Educator Ethics-Program Exit 360 found at GaPSC.
  • Completion of three recommendation letters.  (Recommendation form is provided in the School of Education application packet).
  • After acceptance into the Professional Teacher Education Program, the student must apply for pre-service certification. This requires a background check completed by the GaPSC.

Admission Requirements for Secondary Education Certification - Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Mathematics:

Acceptance to the Secondary Professional Teacher Education program is a prerequisite to enrollment in the Secondary Professional Education courses. Eligibility requirements for teacher candidates seeking certification in Secondary Biology, Chemistry, English, History, or Mathematics include the following:

  • Completed application for admission to the Teacher Education program by the posted date.
  • Attendance in a Secondary Orientation meeting. (Offered twice in Fall semester and twice in Spring semester.)
  • Completion of Program Advice courses with grades of C or above.
  • Completion of COMM 1110 and PSYC 1101 with a grade of C or above.
  • Grades of C or above in EDUC 2110 or EDUC 2150, EDUC 2120, or EDUC 2130.
  • Completion of a minimum of thirty (30) academic credit hours.
  • Grade point average of 2.7 cumulative in academic work.
  • English majors:  Completion of ENGL 3010 and (3) credit hours of 3000-level ENGL courses with grades of C or above.
  • History majors:  Completion of HIST 3000 and (3) credit hours of 3000-level HIST courses with grades of C or above.
  • Biology majors:  Completion of BIOL 1107K and BIOL 1108K with grades of C or above.
  • Chemistry majors:  Completion of CHEM 1211K and CHEM 1212K with grades of C or above.
  • Math majors:  Completion of (8) credit hours of MATH 2253, MATH 2254, and/or MATH 2255 with grades of C or above.
  • Proof of professional liability insurance.
  • Proof of completion of the mandated reporter training course.
  • Complete and pass an Georgia Educator Ethics-Program Exit 360 found at GaPSC.
  • Completion of two recommendation letters; one letter MUST be from the EDUC 2110 or EDUC 2150 instructor.  (Recommendation form provided in the School of Education application packet).
  • After acceptance into the Professional Teacher Education Program, the student must apply for pre-service certification. This requires a background check completed by the GaPSC.

Education Blocks

Teacher Candidates enter the Elementary Education Professional Teacher Education Program in fall or spring semester in a cohort. Secondary Education teacher candidates enter in fall semesters only. The professional programs are delivered in sequential blocks (semesters) until program completion.  The block arrangement applies to both the Elementary Education program and Secondary Education programs. Block courses are taken concurrently and are connected through common field experience requirements. The block schedule and program guides are available via the School of Education website and the School of Education offices.

Field Experiences and Clinical Practice

Candidates enrolled in the Teacher Education Programs participate in field experiences and internship (student teaching) in public school classrooms appropriate to the candidate’s program of study and/or endorsement.

Practicum/Internship/Student Teaching Fee

A fee is associated with field experiences and internship in the Professional Teacher Education Programs at Dalton State College. "Education: Student Teaching Internship" fees apply. Please see Special Fees table for current rate. Student fees provide honoraria to school professionals who assist candidates in their field placements. The student fees also apply to some of the costs associated with supervision of clinical experiences. 

Tevera Program Charge

The purchase of Tevera, an electronic data and field experience management program, is required with field experiences and internship in the Professional Teacher Education Programs at Dalton State College. Tevera purchase will occur during the Block I/PES I seminar course. This is a one time fee. Please see Special Fees table for current rate. 

Retention in the Teacher Education Programs

Elementary candidates must earn a grade of B or above in EDUC 3101, Teaching Diverse Learners (a requirement for certification).  Secondary candidates must earn a grade of B or above in EDUC 3120, Teaching Diverse Learners (a requirement for certification). Candidates must earn a grade of C or above in all other Teacher Education upper division courses and content area course work (Elementary, ESOL, READ, and Secondary) in order to continue into the next block of the Teacher Education program.  Candidates must also meet the minimum ratings required on field assessments in the current block of which they are enrolled to continue in the Teacher Education program.  Secondary candidates must complete the required minimum credit hours within their content area before they can move to PES IV.  See program sheets for the minimum requirements.

Candidates must complete all required upper division professional education courses assigned to their program of study with a C or above prior to entry into Internship (student teaching). Candidates must complete EDUC 3101 with a B or above prior to entry into Internship (student teaching).

Certification

The DSC SOE certification officer recommends candidates for certification after the candidate has successfully completed all the program requirements and has achieved a passing score on GACE content tests in the candidate's field of preparation. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) awards the professional educator certificates in the State of Georgia.  Dalton State College teacher preparation programs in Elementary childhood (grades PK -5) and Secondary education (grades 6 -12) prepare our teacher candidates to attain this professional certification. The Secondary Education programs in Biology, Chemistry, English, History, and Mathematics qualify candidates for certification to teach grades 6 -12 in their specific content field. The completion of the coursework and field experiences for an ESOL endorsement prepares teacher candidates for a an endorsement in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).  Elementary and Secondary majors may take the coursework and field experiences for this endorsement. AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER:  This credential can be earned by undergraduate teacher candidates seeking teaching induction certification and certified professionals who wish to gain knowledge in the area of teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and are adding to existing teaching certifications. Other professionals from related fields who have specific interest in serving students with Autism Spectrum Disorders may also enroll in these classes.