Chemistry, Secondary Education Certification

The Chemical Education major is the fastest route to secondary chemistry certification.

Individuals who want to teach chemistry rather than work in a laboratory will find that this program meets all their needs.

This program adheres to the College of Education teacher disposition and screening requirements; students will be required to achieve all of the benchmarks for the Department of Teacher Education in order to successfully complete the program. State regulations regarding teacher certification may change during pursuit of the Chemical Education degree.

Students graduating from Lander University with recommendation for teacher certification complete student teaching, coursework and testing requirements for recommendation for certification in South Carolina consistent with the College of Education's conceptual framework. This framework provides direction for programs, courses, teaching and teacher candidate assessment. The framework is built on the conceptual model of the "Professional Educator" as one who demonstrates these Learner Outcomes.

The Professional Educator

1. integrates content knowledge and skills of scholarly inquiry to teach all students;
2. plans, provides and assesses learning experiences that are supported by research, knowledge of best practice and professional standards;
3. communicates and collaborates with diverse populations (students, educators, families and community members) exhibiting professional behaviors and dispositions; and
4. engages in reflection and professional development to foster student learning and inform instructional decisions.

Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.

¹ For approved courses see the General Education section

* A grade of "C" or better is required in these Teacher Education courses.

• Freshman Year: Students must pass the State Skills Exam (Praxis CORE) during their freshman year, earn a C or better in all courses marked with an asterisk (see the 4-Year Major Guide for recommended sequence), and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75. Students who do not earn the minimum GPA of 2.75 by the end of their Freshman Year will be removed from the program and placed in the History B.S. track.
• Sophomore Year: Students must file their application for admission to Teacher Education, pass the Screening Interview for Teacher Education, earn a C or better in all courses marked with an asterisk (see the 4-Year Major Guide for recommended sequence), and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75. Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA of 2.75 will be removed from the program and placed in the History B.S. track.
• Junior Year: Students must file their application for student teaching, maintain a GPA of 3.00 or higher in all professional education coursework, earn a C or better in all courses marked with an asterisk (see the 4-Year Major Guide for recommended sequence), and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75. Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA of 2.75 will be removed from the program and placed in the History B.S. track. Students must pass the Praxis II content area exam prior to taking EDUC 461: Clinical Practice B and are advised to take the exam during the summer between their Junior and Senior Year.
• Senior Year: Students must pass the Praxis II content area exam prior to taking EDUC 461: Clinical Practice B, complete the PPAT Teacher Certification Assessment during Clinical Practice, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all professional education coursework, earn a C or better in all courses marked with an asterisk (see the 4 Year Major Guide for recommended sequence), earn a 3.0 or better in EDUC 461: Clinical Practice and EDUC 499: Teacher Education Seminar, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75, submit Graduation Application, and complete any remaining FALS requirements. Students who do not maintain the minimum GPA of 2.75 will be removed from the program and placed in the History B.S. track. Students who do not meet all requirements will not earn teacher certification in Social Studies.
• Coursework must include at least 30 hours earned in 300 or above level courses, of which 12 hours must be in the major.
• See the 4-year major guide for recommended order in which to take courses

Student Eligibility

Students enrolled in Secondary or PK-12:

Initial Level (First Year)

1. Participate in initial Advising and Induction.
2. Take PRAXIS Core or exempt with 22 ACT or 1100 SAT score.
3. Maintain a 3.0 GPA in all professional courses; achieve a grade of "B" or higher in each field experience; achieve a grade of "C" or higher in all EDUC, ECED, and SPED courses (see catalog for further details, including each department's GPA requirements within the specific content area).

Provisional Level (Second Year)

1. Complete Initial Level requirements.
2. Complete a SLED check.
3. Display professional dispositions and behavior at target levels.
4. Obtain a minimum 2.75 GPA on Lander coursework; maintain a 3.0 GPA in all professional courses; achieve a grade of "B" or higher in each field experience; achieve a grade of "C" or higher in all EDUC, ECED, and SPED courses (see catalog for further details, including each department's GPA requirements within the specific content area).
5. Pass PRAXIS Core or exempt with 22 ACT or 1100 SAT score.
6. Submit Sophomore Portfolio.
7. Gather and submit references.
8. Successfully complete an (April) oral interview with Teacher Education faculty.
9. Successfully complete other reviews as required by departments in specific content areas.

Formal Level (Third Year)

1. Complete Provisional Level requirements.
2. Display professional dispositions and behavior at target levels.
3. Obtain a minimum 2.75 GPA on Lander coursework; maintain a 3.0 GPA in all professional courses; achieve a grade of "B" or higher in each field experience; achieve a grade of "C" or higher in all EDUC, ECED, and SPED courses (see catalog for further details, including each department's GPA requirements within the specific content area).
4. Participate in Induction and Pinning Ceremony.
5. Successfully complete departmental requirements for PRAXIS II.
6. Successfully complete other departmental requirements, reviews, projects, or milestones.

Candidate Level (Fourth Year)

1. Complete Formal Level requirements.
2. Complete FALS requirements before student teaching semester.
3. Enter candidacy with formal admission to the teacher education program.
4. Display professional dispositions and behavior at target levels.
5. Obtain a minimum 2.75 GPA on Lander coursework; maintain a 3.0 GPA in all professional courses; achieve a grade of "B" or higher in each field experience; achieve a grade of "C" or higher in all EDUC, ECED, and SPED courses (see catalog for further details, including each department's GPA requirements within the specific content area).
6. Successfully complete departmental requirements for PRAXIS II.
7. Successfully complete departmental requirements for PLT.
8. Successfully complete other departmental requirements, reviews, projects, or milestones.