Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) - Alternative Fifth-Year Certification Program for Teachers

Purpose

The purpose of the Alternative Fifth-Year Program is to provide initial teacher certification programs for individuals holding a baccalaureate level degree in a field other than education or those desiring initial certification in a new teaching field. Candidates shall have acquired knowledge and skill above the level required for the completion of the baccalaureate program in the same discipline, including subject matter knowledge, student development, diversity, instructional strategies, classroom management and learning environment, communication, planning, assessment, professionalism, and collaboration.

The College of Education adopted the model standards for beginning teacher licensure developed by the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) in 2013. These standards are applied throughout the Alternative-Fifth-Year Program.

Troy Global Campus College of Education students must meet all specialized accreditation requirements to be classified as graduates of specialized accredited programs (CAEP, CACREP, and CORE). Up to 12 hours of course work completed at a site/university without the appropriate specialized accreditation may be considered for application toward program completion. See Transfer Credit section for additional information. Students in the Alternative A certification program may be required to complete face-to-face field experiences in a classroom related to their certification as part of their coursework prior to their internship.

Admission Requirements for Alternative Fifth-Year Program for Teachers

Prior to applying for admission to the Graduate School and the Master of Science Alternative Fifth-Year certification program, individuals must possess a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a posted minimum cumulative/overall graduating grade point average of 2.75 on the official baccalaureate transcript from the degree granting institution. (Note: A student who does not meet the 2.75 GPA requirement but has at least a 2.5 can be unconditionally admitted provided they pass the appropriate content knowledge praxis with an alternate score.) A 3.0 GPA is required on a master’s or higher degree transcript from the degree granting institution. (Students will not be permitted to use additional undergraduate or post degree courses to raise their grade point average). Effective July 1, 2017, and thereafter, a candidate must earn credit for an ALSDE approved diversity course at the Class A level, if they earned credit for a survey of special education course prior to Unconditional Admission (GTEP).

All education courses require clinical field experiences beyond class time. Candidates are required to attend an orientation prior to beginning clinical field experiences. Within the first week of class requiring a clinical field experience, students must provide evidence of background and fingerprint clearance application and evidence of current professional liability coverage, or the student will be dropped from the class.

Admission Requirements to the Teacher Education Program (GTEP)

Admission to the Graduate School does not automatically qualify a student for admission to the Graduate Teacher Education Program. Written application to the Graduate Teacher Education Program is required from all students seeking acceptance. In addition to the written application, the following are also required:

1. A grade of “C” or better in the two English composition courses.
2. A grade of “C” or better in mathematics courses completed for the baccalaureate degree that is equivalent to the required general studies courses for the teacher education major. If equivalent courses were not completed at the baccalaureate level, these must be completed as prerequisites.
3. A minimum cumulative/overall graduating grade point average of 2.75 on the baccalaureate transcript. Note: A student who does not meet the 2.75 GPA requirement but has at least a 2.5 can be unconditionally admitted provided they pass the appropriate content knowledge praxis with an alternate score.
4. Evidence of current professional liability coverage of established amount.

There is no Conditional Admission for this program.

Students working to complete pre-admission requirements for the Graduate Teacher Education Program are encouraged to work closely with their discipline adviser. This individual will assist in course selection and course sequencing for completion of these requirements.

Information regarding qualification and acceptance into the Graduate Teacher Education Program can also be obtained through the Teacher Education Office on the respective campus.

Internship

All candidates completing the Alternative Fifth-Year initial certification program for teachers must complete a six-semester hour internship in the grade level(s) and academic subject(s) of the certification sought. Instructions regarding qualifications and applications for internship should be obtained from the Office of Teacher Education. Prerequisites for internship include the following:

1. Admission to the Graduate Teacher Education Program.
2. A grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 overall on all graduate work attempted.
3. Internship Advisor Approval Form (A)
4. Completion of all coursework except for Internship Seminar, which is taken in conjunction with internship.
5. Evidence of current First Aid and CPR certifications.
6. Passing Praxis II score in each teaching field area of initial certification.
7. Evidence of current professional liability coverage of $1,000,000 minimum.
8. Completion of any additional requirements mandated by the Alabama State Department of Education.
9. Passing score on Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA)-for initial certification only.

Courses for the Alternative Fifth-Year Program

Degree Plans

• M.S.Ed.: Early Childhood Education - Grades P-3 Certification/Alternative Fifth Year Degree Plan/Progress Record  
• M.S.Ed.: Elementary Education - Grades K-6 Certification/Alternative Fifth-Year Program Degree Plan/Progress Record   
• M.S.Ed.: Secondary Education - Grades 6-12 Certification/Alternative Fifth-Year Program Teaching Field Options - Biology, History, or Mathematics Degree Plan/Progress Record  
• M.S.Ed.: Secondary Education - Grades 6-12 Certification/Alternative Fifth-Year Program Teaching Field Options - English/Language Arts Degree Plan/Progress Record  
• M.S.Ed.: Secondary Education - Grades 6-12 Certification/Alternative Fifth-Year Program Teaching Field Social Science Degree Plan/Progress Record  
• M.S.Ed.: Interdisciplinary Education - Grades P-12 Certification/Alternative Fifth-Year Program Degree Plan/Progress Record  
• M.S.Ed.: Collaborative/Special Education Teacher Education - Grades K-6 Certification/Alternative Fifth-Year Program Degree Plan/Progress Record  
• M.S.Ed.: Collaborative/Special Education Teacher Education - Grades 6-12 Certification/Alternative Fifth-Year Program Degree Plan/Progress Record