Policies and Procedures for Students in the Art, Fine Arts, and Performing Arts Majors with Teacher Certification

Students are responsible for obtaining a copy of Policies and Procedures for Students in Teacher Certification Programs when they begin their program at Fontbonne. These copies are available from the certification coordinator in the East Building, Room 235. Students are responsible for carrying out all current policies, procedures, and requirements for certification.

The student must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for coursework designated as “professional”, and a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. These standards take into consideration all coursework taken at all colleges and universities.

Students who have “conditions” placed upon them by the teacher certification committee will not be approved for teacher certification. Conditions may be defined as deficiencies related to the potential success of the candidate to be an effective teacher. (Students should refer to the procedures manual for specific guidelines in this area.)

All candidates for teacher certification must fulfill all Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requirements, including passing scores on entrance and exit tests, grade point average, portfolios, and criminal background checks. These requirements are subject to change. The most current requirements must be met.

Many school districts require that any individual who teaches, supervises, or has access to students in a school undergo a criminal record check and child abuse/neglect screening. The Missouri Highway Patrol and the Department of Social Services conduct these screenings. Every Fontbonne student engaged in clinical experiences in the teacher certification programs must complete these background checks prior to placement in any school.

Majors in Art and Fine Arts with Teacher Certification K-12

The bachelor of arts degree in art or fine arts with the teaching certification enables a student to teach in the Missouri public schools K-12. Certification can also be combined with the BFA degree by completing all requirements below and fulfilling the concentration requirements (15 hours in drawing, ceramics, painting, sculpture, or studio plus the three hours of senior project, participation in the junior portfolio review and senior exhibition). A student must successfully complete, at Fontbonne, a minimum of 50 percent of the credit hours required for the major.

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

The requirements for all undergraduate degrees are listed in the academic policies and regulations section in this catalog. In addition the following are required:

General Education Requirements

The 42 credit hours of general education requirements are presented in the academic information section of this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement in the major or a course requirement in another discipline. The following specific general education courses stipulated by the state Department of Education must be chosen to meet the requirements for this major:

Courses Required in the Major

48 hours in art including the following required courses:

Three additional hours of art history which may include any of the following:

The following studio courses:

Courses required in education: 24 hours

Teacher Certification in Speech and Theatre

In addition to the core curriculum for Performing Arts, the following are required: