Overview

a. Institution

1. What is the institution's historical context?

What James Millikin envisioned when he founded the University in 1901 was unique: the University would embrace the “practical” side of learning along with the “literary and classical.” In addition, while affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, it would not be narrowly “sectarian” and would remain open to all. The result is one of the nation’s first small, comprehensive universities that, nearly a century later, has four colleges and schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Professional Studies, and the Tabor School of Business.

Millikin University has been true to its founding vision for 100 years. Our students learn through real-world projects that reinforce classroom experiences, help develop practical skills, and serve the global community. They learn to see connections with other academic disciplines and understand the diversity of human experience, the interactions between technology and society. And they learn about themselves and others, developing a respect for differences and for the dignity of all.

2. What is the institution’s mission?

Millikin University’s mission is to deliver on the promise of education. We challenge minds and change lives. More specifically, we prepare students for professional success, democratic citizenship in a global environment, and a personal life of meaning and value. The board, faculty and entire Millikin University community have adopted and embraced these statements. Millikin’s mission documents clearly articulate its mission, indicate its strong commitment to high academic standards and state three major learning goals to be achieved by all students. Campus signage, publications and presentations are among the many examples of how these are articulated.

3. What are the institution's characteristics and type of institution such as private or land grant?

Millikin University is a small, private, comprehensive university located in Decatur, Illinois. Millikin University opened its doors to students in 1903 and has been accredited by the North Central Association since 1914. For the 15th straight year, U.S. News & World Report magazine has named Millikin University as one of the best colleges in the Midwest. Millikin is ranked 17th in the Midwest in the Best Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelor’s category in 2005. Employers and graduate schools continue to prize Millikin graduates. In fact, in 2005 99% of Millikin graduates gained employment or entered graduate/professional school within six months of graduation.

b. Unit

1. What is the professional education unit at your institution and what is its relationship to other units at the institution that are involved in the preparation of professional educators?

The professional education unit at Millikin University is the School of Education (SoE). It is in the College of Professional Studies (CPS) along with the department of Exercise Science and Sport, the department of Professional Comprehensive Adult Education (PACE), and the School of Nursing. Within the CPS, these four chairs/directors report to the Dean of the College of Professional Studies.

The SoE is led by a director, the unit head, who chairs and coordinates the activities of the Committee on Teacher Education Programs (CTEP). CTEP is a strong governing committee with representatives from each of the eleven teacher education programs, crossing three of the university’s colleges (College of Arts and Sciences, College of Fine Arts and College of Professional Studies). Since CTEP serves students across the university, membership on this committee is carefully evaluated annually. The dean of the CPS is also a member of CTEP. CTEP approves all procedures associated with the teacher education programs offered at Millikin University. Planning, operational issues, and curricular revisions affecting teacher education are vetted through CTEP. Changes in program design, implementation, and evaluation must also be approved by CTEP. In matters of curriculum, approvals must then proceed through the CPS and the full university curriculum committee prior to implementation. Changes affecting university publications (such as grade point average requirements) are implemented in accordance with published university documents. CTEP provides oversight for (a) analysis of assessment data including those required for checkpoints within the candidates’ progression; (b) standards and policies regarding candidate application and performance while enrolled in the major; and (c) advising issues related to curricula and dispositions.

2. How many professional education faculty members support the professional education unit? Please complete Table 1.

Table 1

Professional Education Faculty

(Calendar Year 2009 – Spring & Fall Semesters)

3. What programs are offered at your institution to prepare candidates for their first license to teach? Please complete Table 2.

Table 2

Initial Teacher Preparation Programs and Their Review Status

(Fall 2009 Semester)

4. What programs are offered at your institution to prepare advanced teacher candidates and other school professional? Please complete Table 3.

Not applicable for us.

5. Which of the above initial teacher preparation and advanced preparation programs are offered off-campus or via distance learning technologies? What alternate route programs are offered?

Two of our initial teacher preparation programs are offered off-campus. The two programs are Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. We offer these initial teacher preparation programs at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois (ECE only) and Parkland Community College in Champaign, Illinois (both ECE and El Ed). We do not have advanced preparation programs, distance learning programs or alternate route programs.