school of teacher education
frequently asked questions

1.	Does my Toccoa Falls College degree transfer to other states?
	Upon completion of the teacher education degree at Toccoa Falls College and the passing of the National Certification test (PRAXIS II), the student also receives certification with the State of Georgia. Georgia has a reciprocal agreement with most other states, and consequently, the degree does transfer. Toccoa Falls College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Teacher Education program is certified through the Professional Standards Commission; therefore we are fully accredited and certifiable for transfer of credentials to other states.
2.	How large is the School of Teacher Education?
	The School of Teacher Education is one of the biggest schools on campus. We serve approximately 1/4th of the student body.
3.	Can I get certified to teach overseas?
	Overseas schools will recognize your Georgia certificate. However, there is a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) endorsement offered to Teacher Education majors, to promote the ability to teach English overseas or teach non-English speaking students in American schools. In the 15 hours required for this endorsement, courses are included in helping students understand other cultures and adapting to those environments.
4.	What kind of experiences do I have with students before I teach?
	Several types of field experience are required of students before they student teach.  Learning about students of different ages and abilities is imbedded into the curriculum of teacher education both in observation and in mini-teaching sessions in the local schools.  You will be in the area schools approximately 250 hours before student teaching.
5.	Where do I student teach?
	Most of our students teach in local area schools and are supervised by faculty from the College. However, there is also the opportunity to student teach overseas in both Christian and International schools if the student is interested in future teaching possibilities overseas. Requirements for student teaching overseas are included in the college catalog.
6.	Can I major in more than one area?
	It is possible, but you should plan on more than eight semesters to complete two majors. Majors outside the College of Teacher Education are often chosen, as in World Missions, Communication, and Counseling. Other double majors are in the College and include a specific concentration and music, or double areas within a given concentration .
7.	What areas beside teacher education courses do I need to take?
	Depending on your major area of concentration, there are different core requirements. The catalogue will help you see these in outline form. Bible, math, science, humanities, social science, and computer literacy are all part of the core curriculum.
8.	Are there specific financial grants or loans for teacher education students?
	For Georgia residents there are specific scholarships for teacher education students with high GPA's. Our financial aid department has complete files on all other available grants or loans that are general in nature.
9.	Are there specific requirements for getting into teacher education, as opposed to other schools on campus?
	There are specific requirements for being accepted into the Teacher Education Program. During Teacher Education Orientation and Founds and Trends in Education these requirements are spelled out step by step. A 2.5 Grade Point Average is the minimum for acceptance into the Program.  A student must also have had the following SAT or ACT scores for admission to teacher education:  SAT = 1,000 (Composite of Math and Verbal); ACT = 43 (combining English and Mathematics scores)
10.	I already have an undergraduate degree.  What do I need to become certified to teach in Georgia?
	There are three ways:
	Short = GTAPP (Georgia Teacher Alternative Preparation Program) www.gapsc.com
	Medium = An "innovative route" this is in between short and long
	Long* = Traditional Route (Take all classes required in MAJOR (not core or Bible).  Courses already taken will count.  This often takes 1.5-2 years!
	*TFC is only approved for the long version at this time.
11.	I have a teaching degree from an unaccredited institution.  What steps do I need to take to teach at a public school?
	Toccoa Falls College will evaluate your transcript and then recommend classes for you.  In Georgia you must be recommended by College or University to become certified.
	There are also two standardized tests Teacher Education majors must take in order to be certified to teach. PRAXIS I is a basic skills test that you must pass or exempt early on in your program. PRAXIS II is the test required for teacher certification. Once again you will be informed about these tests at different points in your program.