Q: My high school history teacher was important in my education. I would like to teach history in high school. Who do I have to see?
A: You need to contact Dr.
Doug Burgess (R-S 109), in the Department of History. He
will be happy to go over the requirements for graduation and
certification. You should also contact the
professional advisor in the College of Education, who will
acquaint you with the requirements for admission to the program
which will certify you in Secondary Education.
Q: My high school history teacher was the football coach. Do I need to be a coach in order to teach history?
A: The short answer is" NO!", you do
not need to be a coach in order to teach history in high
school. However, it is the practice of some school board in
East Tennessee to have the coaches teach history or to have the
history teachers coach.
Q: I want to be a coach. Do I have to be a history teacher?
A: Please, look at the previous
question and answer. If you wish to coach, IMHO you need to
go to speak to the appropriate academic advisors in the
department of Physical Education. They can acquaint you
with all the possiblities which are open you in regard to
coaching.
Q: I took several history classes. I find that they do not match the list of courses required for certification. Can I get substitutions for all of those course so that I don't have to take the courses the state expects?
A: Some limited substitutions are
possible, before the fact. This means that you must
contact Dr. Doug Burgess (R-S 107), PRIOR to taking the
class, in order to see if the class you are thinking of taking is
one which will substitute for any on the certification
list. Some courses will not substitute. Please, do
not wait until you are ready to graduate and have taken a full
load of course before you come and ask about substitutions, you
may find that some or all of the courses which you have take do
not apply.
Q: I would like to add History as a second field for certification. How do I do this? Is an "ADD ON" the way to go?
A: If you are an undergraduate and
anticipate certification in two fields (history and "whatever"),
then you need to meet the state certification requirements.
If you have not been made aware of what these are, you may
contact Dr. Doug Burgess (R-S 107), or the professional
advisor in the College of Education. The so-called "ADD ON"
which you mention is designed for individuals who have already
received certification, who have graduated with a B.A. or an
M.A.T., who are currently teaching or seeking a teaching
position, and who wish certification in an additonal field.
It is not designed for certification for those who have not yet
received a B.A. If you are an undergraduate, seeking
certification, you must meet the expectations of the State of
Tennessee in each area in which you hope to obtain
certification. Please, see the advisor in the appropriate
departments for that information.
Q: I notice, when I look at the list of courses required for certification, that I don't get much choice. I also notice that there are a lot of courses that I really don't want to take. I want to take course on war, or at least I only want to take courses in U.S. history. What's the deal here?
A: Both the Department of History (with
it requirements for a major) and the State of Tennessee (with its
requirements for certification) hold the opinion that "history"
is more than wars and dates. In the opinion of both groups,
you need a broad and diverse background, both to understand that
the past is complex and complicated, and that it is not just made
up of king and battles. Nothing says that you cannot take
additional courses in particular subjects which you personally
find interesting; such things can only make you a better
teacher. However, you must meet state expectations in
regard to particular courses.
Q: Does HIST 4417 count as part of my major?
A: No, it is a part of your
"professional core", required by certification standards.
We teach it as a courtesy, for the Department of Curriculum and
Instruction.
Q: I have the "check-sheet" for certification in secondary education. Can I go by this for graduation purposes?
A: No, you cannot. It is only a
list of courses required for certification. If you only use
that list to plan your courses, you will not graduate. It
does not contain may courses necessary for graduation.
Please, contact Dr. Doug Burgess (R-S 107), for additional
information.
Q: Look, I am getting close to graduation, I think I might want to teach high school. Will this delay my graduation and for how long?
A: The core of classes needed for
certification is a minimum of 44 hours, not including any history
courses necessary for certification. If you have not take
any of these course, at the very minimum it will add three terms
to your stay at ETSU. If you do not wish to do this, you
have two options open to you: (1) you may graduate and then
return as a Special student, and receive post-B.A. certification,
or (2) you may seek an M.A.T. (
Masters of
Arts in Teaching). If you are unsure how to proceed,
please contact Dr. Doug Burgess (R-S 107), for additional
information.
Last modified: Ides of August, in the 2762th ab urbe condita (from the Foundation of the City, Rome, that is....2009, for those of you on a different calendar).
Resources and Information
Phi
Alpha Theta, National Honor Society for History
Registrar
Goldlink
Registration System
Academic
Calendar
Libraries
Millenium Online
Catalog
Academic Advising
Rights and Responsibilities
Student Rights and
Responsibilities
Academic
Advisor Rights and Responsibilities