The College of Education has identified the “Center” as that “essential resource facility” whose major responsibility is to assist in the preparation of undergraduate teacher education majors for entry into the teaching profession for elementary and secondary schools of Florida and the nation. This responsibility is carried out via academic advisement, instruction and professional development. The Center provides various activities that are designed to produce teachers who are professionally astute exemplary, confident, analytical, reflective, proactive and ethical.
Academic advisement, the hub of the activities for the Center, has been characterized as an exchange of information between faculty advisors and students. This process enables our students to acquire information about the institution, and plan an educational program consistent with his or her goals, interests, and abilities. Specifically, academic advisement is a process that includes the collection, interpretation, and delivery of academic information regarding both the university goals and capabilities and the students’ goals and potential. The focus is on students’ progress in gaining admission into their professional teacher education programs, internship placement, fulfilling graduation requirements, teacher certification, and insuring our teacher education graduates are prepared to meet the challenges confronting today’s educators. . Students are to contact the Center for Teacher Preparation and Career Development upon acceptance into the University (see contact information below). Students will be assigned an advisor; an academic profile will be developed; and an analysis of admissibility into the professional teacher education programs will be given. These services will be provided to students each semester of enrollment.
The Center recognizes that academic advisement is a necessary process for guiding students through their chosen degree programs. The purpose of the academic advisement program is fourfold:
- to assist pre-teacher education students in the selection and registration of the current courses for their degree program,
- to advise students of and assist students in meeting the academic criteria for admission into the professional teacher education programs,
- to monitor the student’s matriculation in an effort to avoid academic failures, and
- to encourage academic success.
The Center instructs students about the teaching profession generally and the College of Education specifically by way of the course, “Overview and Orientation to Teaching” (EDG 3004). The goals of the courses are:
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Provide general information concerning the requirements for admission to the professional teacher education programs; Florida Certification requirements including the Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) the professional education competency program;
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Ensure the pre-service preparation is clinically and professionally oriented,
- Acquaint students with Florida’s Reform and Accountability measures,
- Provide opportunities for professional growth,
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Acquaint students with the Conceptual Framework of the Professional Education Unit (College of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences), and
- Disseminate current information relating to roles, policies and structure of schools and school districts.
The Center provides other professional services to the students, College and University, including:
- Participation in the recruitment activities for the College and University.
- Coordination of the registration of pre-teacher students in the College of Education.
- Serving as the depository for the student records of the Dean of the College of Education.
- Coordination of the “Professional Development Forums,” a forum for undergraduate students.
- Dissemination of information concerning financial aid, scholarships, grant, loans and employment.
- Participation in the coordination of “Teacher Recruitment Day’ for the College, University, and the community.
- Compilation of student academic reports for various stakeholders.
The Center expects students, with the assistance from competent, committed faculty advisors, to assume responsibility for their own academic success as they matriculate through the College and University. To accomplish this goal, students will be responsible for knowing the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the University and the College as they pertain to their degree programs. The student handbook is available on line at www.college.livetext.com. Additional information about the College of Education is located on the University website: www.FAMU.edu.
All degree seeking students should be advised of the following:
Apply for admission into the university, if you are still classified as an off campus, “special student,” or any other designation other than as a teacher education major or pre-teacher education major. University applications can be accessed and submitted on the web: www.famu.edu.
Submit an application for admission into the professional teacher education program. Contact the Center for Teacher Preparation (CTP) (850) 599-3619 or 3620 for directions and assistance.
Obtain a “Rattler Identification Card.” This card will allow assess to various services available to all Florida A&M University students, i.e. library services (accepted at all State University System Institutions); student activities, and health services, etc. Contact the CTP or the Office of Continuing Education (off campus students), (850) 599-3474, for directions and assistance.
Academic advisement sessions will be conducted by the Center for Teacher Preparation by appointment and at least once per semester at the school sites for off campus students. Students should avail themselves to these advisement sessions in order to resolve any academic problems, receive a status report on admission into a professional teacher education program and internship or obtain updated information about their degree programs. Each advisee will be assigned an individual academic advisor.
