Department of Teaching and Learning

The School of Education has an historic legacy of preparing teachers, school leaders, and other education professionals to serve learners throughout the Baltimore area, the State of Maryland, the country, and the world.

Coppin State University’s story begins in 1900, when we were founded as a training program designed to meet significant educational needs for Baltimore City students, particularly African American students. Today, we continue this important teacher training with innovative program offerings that focus on curriculum, instruction, adult education, operational leadership, and community-building.

The Standard for Teacher Preparation

The School of Education offers programs specifically designed to prepare teachers for classroom environments. These programs reflect a collaborative effort between the departments within the School of Education.  

To align with standards set by the Teacher Educational Council, our teacher education programs require a variety of coursework and real-world experiences, including: 

• General Education Requirements (GERs) 

• Professional education courses 

• Clinical experience or student teaching 

• Program specialization (if offered by program) 

How does Coppin define “teacher as reflective facilitator of learning”? 

All of our teacher education programs have a universal goal to train systematic planners, instructional leaders, effective communicators, reflective decision makers, and evolving professionals. All of these elements compose the conceptual framework of how we build students into teacher candidates who meet the highest industry standards and best practices. Our faculty teach through theoretical and practical experiences that qualify teacher candidates to design and deliver educational services that help all students reach their ultimate potential. 

What do Coppin’s teacher education programs prepare me for?

The School of Education offers undergraduate early childhood, elementary, and special education teacher preparation programs. We built each major to have a solid liberal arts foundation that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, research, reflection, and analysis. 

Note: As of fall 2014, Coppin no longer offers programs leading to secondary education certification in English, mathematics, history and social studies, biology, and chemistry. 

Why is it important to meet with my academic advisor?

Academic advisors are a valuable resource to help you through your college journey. Scheduling time with your advisor can ensure you select the right coursework and avoid surprises about grade and graduation requirements. Advisors can also help you navigate general and specific requirements as they apply to each major, including: 

• Planning semester coursework to meet General Education Requirements (GERs)

• Selecting major-specific GER coursework

• Understanding additional requirements for specific majors

• Knowing grade requirements across various coursework 

What are the teacher candidate milestones?

We review the academic standing and progress of each teacher candidate during 3 strategic phases of the program. Each phase requires the submission of a performance-based portfolio assessment and an interview.

• Entrance to the program

• Entrance to internship

• Program completion

Please refer to your academic advisor for more information about the expectations at each Milestone.

How to Declare as a Teacher Education Major

All Coppin students who want to earn a degree are called degree-seeking students. When Coppin offers someone undergraduate admission to Coppin State University, that admission does not automatically guarantee admission to a specific major program.  

Every department interviews and accepts its own students. Before declaring a major, undergraduate students must complete any required developmental courses in addition to at least 30 credits of university-level work.  

Your Next Steps to Declare a Major  

Have you completed all coursework requirements needed to declare a major? Great! Here are your next steps to make your major official:  

1. Pick up a Declaration of Major form from your department

2. Request an unofficial transcript from the Office of Records and Registration 

3. Schedule your interview with the appropriate department chairperson 

4. Complete your interview with the department chairperson and another faculty member

5. Get your acceptance letter to the major 

6. Return your completed Declaration of Major form to the Academic Advising and Testing Office  

How to Prepare for Internship and Student Teaching

Once teacher candidates are admitted to internship, you must apply for student teaching. Remember to submit your application at least one semester before the expected start of the student teaching experience.  

Students who submit the student teaching application have until the end of that same semester to: 

• Complete all General Education Requirements (GERs) 

• Earn a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) or a 2.85 and a Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-qualifying score on the Praxis CORE exam

• Earn a “C” or better in all professional and methods courses 

• Pass the physical exam 

• Get approval from the department chairperson sponsoring the internship or experience

• • Successfully complete Phase II of the Teacher Education program: Admission to Internship

• Pass the interview with the Internship Review Committee

• Take the Praxis II series of exams

• Get approval from the Teacher Education Council 

When teacher candidates get recommended for certification

Before being recommended for certification, teacher candidates must meet several requirements: 

• Successful completion of all major course requirements

• Demonstration of continued competence, aptitude, and potential for satisfactory success in teaching

• A 2.85 GPA and qualifying scores on the Praxis CORE (or maintain a 3.0) and Praxis II series of exams

• Successful completion of Phase III: Exit from the Teacher Education Program