Oct 15, 2024  
ACE Catalog - Volume 19 
    
ACE Catalog - Volume 19 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Additional Information for the Teaching Programs


Background Check

American College of Education requires applicants to a program leading to certification successfully complete and pass a criminal background check prior to being evaluated for admission. By requiring a background check, ACE can confidently refer students to schools to complete their student teaching which will continue to increase schools’ trust in ACE. In addition, by successfully passing a background check for admittance, helps improve the applicant’s likelihood of being able to obtain a certificate from the state upon successful completion of the program.

Location of School-Based Internship, Field Experiences, or Student Teaching

Student teaching and/or field experience activities are designed to be compatible with the US school system. In order to ensure appropriate supervision and equivalent experiences, students must complete all field-based experiences in a school that holds an American regional or state accreditation. Students living or working outside of the U.S. should complete the Clinical Experience Approval to ensure that the international school they have selected meets this accreditation requirement. This includes Department of Defense schools and/or American-based international schools. 

American College of Education does not offer visas or other types of work permits. Securing any necessary authorization is the responsibility of the student. All admitted students must be eligible to work within and agree to complete all requirements in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Clinical Experience Exception Approval Process

Clinical experience is defined as any required experience in a school setting including field experiences, internships, and/or student teaching. Students in special circumstances may seek approval to complete their internship, student teaching and/or field experiences outside of the jurisdictions listed above. Special circumstances include, but are not limited to, Department of Defense schools or American-based international schools. Students may not enroll in a course with an internship, student teaching, and/or other field experience without being granted prior approval by the MAT Program Coordinator through the process outlined in the Student Teaching Handbook.

Professional Licensure

The Masters of Arts in Elementary Teaching and Secondary Teaching programs are approved by the Indiana Department of Education as preparing students for initial teacher licensure. For Indiana teacher licensing requirements, see: [http://www.doe.in.gov/student-services/licensing].

The requirements for professional licensure, certification, endorsement, salary increase, and related employment benefits vary from state to state and district to district. It may be necessary for candidates seeking such benefits to satisfy additional state or district specific requirements. The College neither implies nor guarantees that the completion of an American College of Education degree or certificate program will result in eligibility for licensure, certification, endorsement, salary increase or related employment benefit. Prospective students are strongly advised to verify the benefit(s) for which they may be eligible upon completion with their state’s licensure agency prior to enrolling in an American College of Education degree or certificate program.

Licensure Testing

It is the responsibility of the student to know the requirements of and to make appropriate arrangements to fulfill all licensure testing requirements for the state of Indiana and in some cases in the state in which they intend to teach.

Suicide Prevention Training

Effective July 1, 2013, the department may not issue an initial teaching license (includes instructional, student services and administrative licenses) at any grade level to an applicant for an initial teaching license unless the applicant shows evidence that the applicant has successfully completed education and training on the prevention of child suicide and the recognition of signs that a student may be considering suicide. This requirement does not apply to a completed license application submitted and paid for in the LVIS online application system prior to July 1, 2013 even though the license may not be processed by licensing advisors or OELD staff until July 1, 2013 or after.

Visit the Indiana State Suicide Prevention website [http://www.in.gov/issp/2365.htm] for additional information on suicide prevention training programs. Please email [[email protected]] with additional questions.

CPR-Heimlich Maneuver-AED Certification

Per Indiana Code 20-28-5-3(c), applicants applying for an initial teaching license must have successfully completed training in:

  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation that includes a test demonstration on a mannequin,
  • Removing a foreign body causing an obstruction in an airway, and the Heimlich Maneuver;
  • Beginning July 1, 2011, the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED); and
  • Hold a valid certification in each of these procedures from either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association or other providers as approved by the department.

An initial teaching license is the first license issued to an applicant, regardless of content area or setting. Effective July 1, 2012, the requirements above must be met for all license and permit renewals. Applicants for initial licensure of any type and applicants for all renewals must show proof of valid CPR/AED/Heimlich certification. For applications submitted and paid in LVIS on or before June 30, 2012, the current requirement will be honored even though the licenses may not be processed by licensing advisors or OELD staff until July 1, 2012, or after.