Lower and Upper Divisions

As of fall 1998, the College of Education consists of two undergraduate divisions: the lower division and the upper division. The lower division is for the following majors: sports fitness management, human performance (non-certification), music education (non-certification), and PRED (pre-education majors). Students seeking teacher licensure are enrolled as pre-education majors — a general category — until specified general studies requirements (areas I-V) (see p. 177-178) are completed. At that point, each student may apply for admission to the upper division (PTEP). The upper division is for (a) students who advance successfully from the previously mentioned non-certification majors; (b) PTEP (formerly PRED) students having completed required hours in general studies who also meet GPA and other requirements; and (c) TEP (formerly PTEP) students admitted to the various teacher education (certification) programs.

Admission. Admission to the upper division of the College of Education is competitive, and meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. Admission to the upper division for non-certification majors requires meeting criteria established by the various non-certification programs. Students seeking admission to the upper division for certification programs must complete five stages prior to graduation: PRED (pre-education), PTEP (pre-teacher education program), admission to a teacher education program in one of the various teaching fields, placement in and successful completion of the internship, and successful completion of the exit examination.

PRED — Students identified as PRED are restricted from enrolling in 300- 400-level courses in the College of Education. PRED majors will be given two opportunities per year to apply for PTEP. (Transfer students should have their transcripts evaluated prior to the pre-registration period. Those who meet the standards may be enrolled as PTEP. Others will begin in PRED.)

PTEP — Students who anticipate completing at least 41 semester hours (primarily from Areas I-IV) by the end of the term with a University of Alabama GPA — and, if transfer credit an overall GPA — of at least 2.75 (unless otherwise indicated — see individual programs in this catalog), should attend an orientation session during the term to request changing the major to PTEP. PTEP students are enrolled in the College of Education.

Students who have achieved placement in the PTEP major concentration are allowed to register for certain 300- and 400-level courses. PTEP students (and students admitted to a TEP) are allowed to register for any remaining general studies courses, BEP 305, SPE 300, and, according to the major, the following:

Elementary: HPE 364 and MUE 385.

Secondary education: CSE 390/CSE 493 and courses in the teaching field at the 300/400 level.

Special education: Coursework based on semester of initial registration.

Physical education: Courses allowable in HPE program: HPE 306, HPE 365, HPE 362, HPE 366.

Music education: Courses specific to the program (these majors adhere to very tightly prescribed schedules and should meet regularly and often with their advisers).

Admitted to a TEP — A student successfully completing the process for admission to a TEP will be enrolled according to the teaching field. Such students will be allowed to take courses according to current policies (see "Criteria for Admission to TEP" p. 170).

1. Writing requirements. Students should check with program secretaries and/or advisers.

2. Alabama Basic Skills Test. Each student in a certification program must earn a passing score on the Alabama Basic Skills Test. This test, given four times each year at sites throughout the state, may be taken any time after the freshman year. A student planning to transfer from another college or university should attempt to complete the Alabama Basic Skills Test before transferring. A student who meets all GPA and course requirements may be conditionally admitted for a semester. During the first semester in PTEP, the transfer student must complete all required tests and interviews to continue in the College of Education.

3. Interview. Each candidate for admission must successfully complete an interview arranged by program faculty. Speaking skills and knowledge and abilities based on previous coursework will be among the attributes assessed in the interview.

4. Other requirements. Programs may have additional requirements for admission to the upper division. For example, some programs may require competitive ACT and/or SAT scores in addition to the minimum GPA and other requirements. See the sections on individual programs in this catalog.

5. Internship. After successfully completing all required coursework, each student is screened for placement into an internship.

6. Exit examination. Each student in a certification program must successfully complete an exit examination that covers the teaching field(s) and concepts associated with (a) educational psychology, (b) a survey course in special education, (c) the history and philosophy of education, and (d) the evaluation of teaching and learning. The exit examination is usually administered during the semester of the internship experience. The exit examinations over the teaching fields use a variety of assessment techniques. Check with personnel of the Office of Student Services and Certification (104 Carmichael Hall) for more information regarding these criteria. Requests for exceptions for "good and just cause" may be referred by the adviser to the College of Education's Exceptions Board.

LOWER DIVISION
Non-Certification Majors*		Certification Majors**
First Semester	Second Semester	First Semester PRED	Second Semester PRED
Third Semester	Fourth Semester	Third Semester PRED	Fourth Semester PRED
UPPER DIVISION			Fourth Semester PTEP
Fifth Semester	Sixth Semester	Fifth Semester PTEP or TEP	Sixth Semester TEP
Seventh Semester	Eighth Semester	Seventh Semester TEP	Eighth Semester TEP

*Sports fitness management, human performance (noncertification), and music education (non-certification)

**Elementary education, secondary education, special education, MAP, physical education, and music education

The table above represents conceptually the upper and lower divisions of the College of Education. Not all students complete programs in eight semesters, but the table can be illustrative of common patterns of academic progression. While all "semesters" are important, in certification programs the fourth and fifth semesters are especially critical. Many students will have met criteria for admission to the upper division and admission into a teacher education program by the end of the third semester. These students may be accepted into the upper division. A community college or other junior-level transfer student meeting GPA and other requirements may be admitted tentatively to the upper division during the fifth semester and must complete requirements for admission to a teacher education program by the end of that semester.

Continuation in the upper division. To continue to be eligible for enrollment in the upper division of the College of Education, a student must successfully complete any remaining courses in the teaching field(s) or major, and, for certification programs, the professional education courses, including successful clinical placements. Unless otherwise indicated for a specific program, the GPA in the teaching field — and, if transfer work, the overall GPA — must be at least 2.75. In professional education courses, the GPA must be at least 2.75, with no grade less than "C." For students in non-certification programs, required minimum GPAs vary from program to program. All students should be aware of and monitor their GPAs and should project when they will be able to enroll in required courses.

Students are expected to become familiar with the regulations discussed in "Student Records and General Academic Policies," p. 20.