Program Mission and Philosophy
Introduction
Admission Requirements
Professional Education Core

Program Mission and Philosophy

Within the conceptual framework of the College of Education and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction the mission of the secondary education program is best reflected in the theme "Teacher as reflective decision maker." Together with colleagues in the subject disciplines, the faculty in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction are committed to preparing knowledgeable, competent, ethical, and caring educators who are committed to excellence in their professional pursuits.

The faculty responsible for preparing students for K - 12 and 7 - 12 licensure also support the adoption and implementation of performance-based standards recommended by national organizations focused on the improvement of teaching and learned societies of the disciplines. As such, the student who seeks to become a teacher candidate in the Secondary Education program will understand, know and be able to demonstrate:

• the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students;
• how early adolescents and young adults learn and develop, and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social and personal development;
• how students differ in their approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners;
• and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills;
• and use individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation;
• knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom;
• knowledge of subject matter, students, the community, and curriculum goals in the planning of instruction;
• use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social and physical development of the learner; continuous evaluation of the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents, the learning community) through reflective practice and actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally; and
• the ability to foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well being.

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Introduction

Undergraduate students seeking Secondary (7 - 12) or K - 12 licensure earn their degrees in other colleges in the university but complete a minor in the College of Education.  In the College of Arts and Sciences, students can earn

7 - 12 licensure in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Geography, English, French, German, Government, History, Mathematics, Spanish, Sociology, Physics, Psychology, Speech and K - 12 licensure in Art, Music, and Theatre. In the College of Applied

5-12 licensure in Family & Consumer Sciences, and K - 12 licensure in Health Education in the College of Public and Allied Health.

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Admission Requirements

Undergraduates and transfer students seeking to complete an initial licensure must file a Declaration of Intent in the Office of Student Services 321 Warf-Pickel Hall. The Declaration of Intent should be filed before 30 semester hours of course work have been completed. Students who have not filed a Declaration of Intent will not be considered for admission to any teacher education program and are not eligible to enroll in many professional education courses.

Admission to Teacher Education

Students admitted to Teacher Education must:

1.      Complete a formal application to the College of Education Teacher Education Program.

2.      Complete 30 credit hours of General Education courses including: Writing (6 hrs.); Sciences (8 hrs.); Mathematics (3 hrs); and 13 additional hours chosen from History, Humanities and Fine Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

3.      Achieve a GPA of at least 2.50 on all general education coursework attempted as reflected in the calculated grade point average excluding Developmental studies courses.

4.      Meet standardized test requirements {either ACT composite score of at least 22; or SAT. combine score of at least (20 (1020 if taken after 4/1/95); or minimum PRAXIS I scores for Reading (174, PPST or C-PPST), for Math (173, PPST or C-PPST); and for Writing (173, PPST, C-PPST)].

5.      Submit a portfolio as initiated in EDFN 2100--Orientation to the Profession of Education.

6.      Complete a successful interview with the College of Education Admission Board.

7.      Demonstrate good moral character and freedom from any condition that would impair effectiveness as a teacher¹.

8.      Complete EDFN 2100--Orientation to the Profession of Education with a grade of "C" or better and EDFN 2300--Foundations for Teaching with a grade of "C" or better. (Early Childhood majors must complete FACS 2120--Foundations for Early Childhood with a grade of "C" or better.)

Because of the nature of the program, the university reserves the right to change the requirements in the teacher education program at any time when it is needed to meet state licensure standards.

Following admission to teacher education, students may declare a major in early childhood education, Interdisciplinary Studies in Education, Physical Education (K-12 licensure), Special Education.

¹Applicants will achieve passing scores on an approved speech and hearing test and sign a notarized statement of character.

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Teaching Edu. Minor Requirements 21-27 Credit Hours

Required courses for all students 17 Credit Hours

EDFN 2100 Orientation to the Profession of Teaching (1 credit)
EDFN 2300 Foundations for Teaching (2 credits)
EDFN 3301 Issues in Education (3 credits)
HDAL 3310 Educational Psychology (3 credits)
SPED 2300 Exceptional Learners in Schools & Comm. (3 credits)
MEDA 3570 Educational Technology (2 credits)
READ 4437 Reading Instruction in Middle/Secondary School (3 credits)

Additional Required Courses 4-10 Credit Hours

Students Majoring in: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, French, German, Spanish, English, History, Economics, Political Science, Mathematics, and Speech 7 Credit Hours

CUAI 4417 Secondary Curriculum & Methodology (3 credits)
CUAI 4427 Sec. Curriculum & Methodology Field Experience (1 credit)
and (3 credits)
SCED 4417 or LANG 4417 or ENGL 4417 or GEOG 4417 
or
HIST 4417 or MATH 4417 or SPCH 4417
(as appropriate to the teaching major)

Students Majoring in: Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health 4 Credit Hours

CUAI 4417 Secondary Curriculum & Methodology (3 credits)
CUAI 4427 Sec. Curriculum & Methodology Field Experience (1 credit)

Students Majoring in: Theatre 10 Credit Hours

CUAI 4417 Secondary Curriculum & Methodology (3 credits)
CUAI 4427 Sec. Curr. & Methodology Field Experience (1 credit)
and (3 credits)
SCED 4417 or LANG 4417 or ENGL 4417 or GEOG 4417
or
HIST 4417 or MATH 4417 or SPCH 4417 (3 credits)
THEA 4417 Teaching Theatre in Grades K-12 3
 

Clinical/Field-based Experience/Student Teaching:

Phase One - Clinical/Field-based Experience

Required Hours: EDFN 2300 Foundations of Teaching 15

Phase Two - Clinical/Field-based Experience Course

Required Hours: XXXX 4417 Methods in Content Area 

CUAI 4427 Secondary School Curriculum & Methodology Field Experience 30+

Phase Three - Student Teaching

CUAI 4580 Student Teaching (12 credits) 12 Academic Credit Hours

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