Non-Degree Programs

For applicants who have a bachelor's degree but do not have a license to teach, Otterbein University offers program to prepare teachers for Early Childhood (Pre-K through grade 3), Middle Childhood (grades 4-9**), and Secondary (adolescent/young adult, grades 7-12) settings. Our students can be licensed to teach Integrated Language Arts, Integrated Social Studies, Integrated Mathematics, Life Science, Chemistry*, and Physics* at the 7-12 grade levels. In certain areas, including Music, Art, Spanish, and Health and Physical Education, students are licensed to teach from Pre-K through grade 12.

This program takes about 2-3 years to complete. This is not a Master's program; all the classes are at the undergraduate level. Some field work is required, with a mixture of day and evening classes.

• Applicants must provide official transcripts from all schools from which they have earned credit. In order to be considered official, the transcript must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Adult and Transfer Services Office.
• Applicants must have received their bachelor's degree and have a minimum cumulative grade point average from all schools attended of a minimum grade point of 2.5.
• Applicants must interview with the Education Advisor.
• Applicants must have acceptable test scores including:
  • ACT score of 20 or higher in English and Math OR
  • SAT score of 500 or higher in Critical Reading and Math OR
  • GRE score of 450 or higher in Verbal or 550 or higher in Quantitative OR
  • Praxis I score of 172 or higher in Math and Writing
• In addition to required coursework, post-baccalaureate students must complete all standard licensure requirements.

*Currently under review by Ohio Board of Regents

**Qualified students who are interested in an initial Middle Childhood license AND have a Bachelor's Degree may choose to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching degree.

See the program booklet for more details. For questions or to set up your interview, contact the Graduate Education Advisor.

Applicants who are pursuing a Reading Endorsement and who meet Decision Point criteria will be admitted to enroll in up to 12 graduate semester hours required for completion of the Endorsement. These hours are concentrated in reading instruction. A Reading Endorsement may be added to any valid Ohio Teaching Certificate/License. Reading Endorsement and major programs require a minimum of 125 clock hours of substantive field experience. These hours are distributed across the four required courses, culminating in a substantive field requirement (75-100 hours) in EDUC 6670. Student performance in the field is formally evaluated by a university-appointed supervisor. Those applying for the Reading Endorsement must take the Praxis II test for reading. Because of the sequential nature of the Reading Endorsement courses, the student should seek the advice of the Graduate Education Advisor in the Graduate School at the beginning of the Reading Endorsement program. Students wishing to enroll in the Reading Endorsement program must have the following prerequisite courses work: EDUC 1700/1710 Phonics and Language Study and an undergraduate-level reading methods course.

Courses

EDUC 6640 Reading Assessment & Instruction (3)
EDUC 6650 Research-Based Reading & Writing PK-3 (3)
EDUC 6660 Research-Based Reading & Writing 4-12 (3)
EDUC 6670 Clinical I: Advanced Literacy Instruction (3)

Applicants who are pursuing a Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Endorsement and who meet Decision Point criteria will be admitted to enroll in up to 18 graduate semester hours required for completion of the Endorsement. A certified/licensed teacher may add the TESOL Endorsement to any valid Ohio Teaching Certificate/License.

The TESOL Endorsement requires 75 clock hours of field experience. Up to 50 hours may be documented prior to the field practicum, with approval of the Practicum instructor. A minimum of 25 of these hours must be completed in conjunction with EDUC 6250. Those applying for the TESOL Endorsement must take the Praxis II TESOL test.

Courses
EDUC 6210 Linguistics & Language Acquisition (3)
EDUC 6220 TESOL English Language Assessment (3)
EDUC 6230 TESOL Instructional Strategies (3)
EDUC 6240 TESOL in School & Society (3)
EDUC 6250 TESOL Teacher Work Sample (3)
EDUC 6260 Reading Instruction for Students with Diverse Learning Needs (3)

The Middle Childhood Generalist Endorsement (Grades 4-6) can ONLY be added to a valid Middle Childhood Teaching License with two content areas. The candidate will take additional coursework in the concentration areas not covered in the original license. The required course sequences are listed below. Additional Praxis II exam is required.

Language Arts:
EDUC 6545 Advanced Pedagogical Content Know.: Language Arts 4-6 (2)
EDUC 6580 Language Arts Methods in the Intermediate Classroom (4)

Mathematics:
EDUC 6525 Advanced Pedagogical Content Know.: Math 4-6 (2)
EDUC 6590 Math Methods in the Intermediate Classroom (4)

Science:
EDUC 6515 Advanced Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Science 4-6 (2)
EDUC 6570 Science Methods in the Intermediate Classroom (4)

Social Studies:
EDUC 6535 Advanced Pedagogical Content Know.: Social Studies 4-6 (2)
EDUC6560 Social Studies Methods in the Intermediate CLassroom (4)

Applicants who are pursuing an Early Childhood 4-5 Generalist Endorsement and who meet Decision Point criteria will be admitted to enroll in up to 12 graduate semester hours required for completion of the Endorsement. A licensed Early Childhood teacher may add the Early Childhood 4-5 Generalist Endorsement to a valid Ohio Teaching License.

The Early Childhood 4-5 Generalist Endorsement requires clock hours of substantive field experience during EDUC 6550. Those applying for the Early Childhood 4-5 Generalist Endorsement must take the Praxis II Elementary Education: Content Knowledge test.

EDUC 6510 Advanced Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Science 4-5 (2)
EDUC 6520 Advanced Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Math 4-5 (2)
EDUC 6530 Advanced Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Social Studies 4-5 (2)
EDUC 6540 Advanced Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Language Arts 4-5 (2)
EDUC 6550 Development, Learning & Instruction for Interm. Grade Students (4)

License for providing intervention specialist services to grades PK-3.

Licensure for teaching grades PK-3. One concentration area required from Early Childhood: Early Childhood Generalist (includes adding 4th and 5th grade licensure), Intervention Specialist, Reading (includes endorsement), or a Specialized Content Strand. 

Licensure for teaching grades 4-9. At least two concentration areas required from: Language Arts & Reading; Mathematics; Science; Social Studies. 

Licensure for teaching grades 7-12. Available areas include integrated language arts, integrated mathematics, integrated social studies, life sciences and physical sciences.

Licensure for teaching grades PK-12. Available areas include: Visual Arts, Spanish Language, Health, Music, and Physical Education.

Applicants who wish to enroll to earn credit hours beyond their Master's degree must provide an official transcript documenting completion of their Master's degree. In order to be considered official, the transcript must be sent directly from the issuing institution to the Graduate School.

Applicants who hold a current or expired teaching certificate/license may enroll on a non-degree basis. Applicants may take up to 12 semester hours of graduate education credit and unlimited undergraduate credit hours. If an applicant already has a Master's degree they make take an unlimited number of graduate courses.

The following are criteria for permission to take undergraduate or graduate course work as a non-degree student:

• MAE/Non-degree application indicating your desire to take graduate course work as a non-degree student.
• Copy of your teaching certificate/license
• Applicants holding an out-of-state certificate/license must provide an official transcript showing receipt of their bachelor's degree. In order to be considered official, the transcript must be sent directly from the issuing institution to The Graduate School.