An educational experience at St. Mary’s is built upon the university’s value-centered core curriculum. Encompassing coursework in the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and qualitative disciplines, the core helps develop creativity and analytical skills. It includes a study of ethical and moral issues designed to foster an understanding of human nature and an appreciation of individual differences and diverse populations. The core, shaped by the values of the Society of Mary, fosters academic excellence, personal integrity, adaptability and service to society.

One of the strengths of St. Mary’s teacher certification programs is the emphasis placed on multiple theories of instruction. The modern classroom is filled with students who vary greatly in ability and maturity; no single teaching approach is best for all. Since our student teachers are acquainted with a wide range of educational theories and instructional strategies, they are better able to adapt their teaching styles to meet the needs and learning styles of individual students.

Recommended First-Year Schedule

Fall

• Personal and Academic Development
• Rhetoric and Composition
• College Algebra
• From Experience to Meaning (Philosophy)
• Organizing, Acquiring, Presenting Information
• Foreign Language

Total: 15 hours

Spring

• American Literature through 19th Century
• Fundamentals of Oral Communication
• The United States to 1877 (or)
• The United States since 1877
• Introduction to Fine Arts
• Foreign Language

Total: 15 hours

Student Teaching Requirements

All students seeking initial teacher certification are required to complete a 12-13 week student-teaching assignment in an accredited public or private school within the Bexar County area. The student-teaching experience provides an opportunity for preservice educators to get as fully acclimated to the school setting as possible. As the 12-13 week experience progresses, student teachers gradually assume more of the teaching responsibilities. Student teachers are expected to assume full teaching responsibilities, and this commonly occurs by the fifth week of student teaching. The student teacher is supported by a supervising teacher at the school site and a University supervisor who will conduct periodic observations and maintain weekly contact.

Student teaching is conducted during the semester in which the student will graduate, and students must have fulfilled all requirements in order to be eligible for student teaching. During the student-teaching semester, students also are enrolled in a three-hour seminar course. As the student-teaching experience is very demanding, students are strongly encouraged to have met all other degree requirements prior to the semester in which they student teach. Final determination of acceptance into student teaching is made by the Faculty Committee on Teacher Education.

NOTE: For a complete listing of all certification fields (and their corresponding majors) offered at St. Mary’s, please go to the Teacher Certification link.