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The mission of the Department of Education is to develop reflective teachers and school leaders who are competent and caring lifelong learners. Our faculty members are dedicated to our students, university, and community through our research, service, and innovative teaching. In addition to the mission statement, the Department of Education has four guiding principles that are used in development and delivery of all courses and programs. These principles are:

·         Rigorous mind

·         Compassionate heart

·         Competent demonstration

·         Reflective stance

These guiding principles are integrated into all of our programs and align with our mission statement to define our commitment to our students. The programs in the Department of Education are aligned with state teacher certification standards, and only individuals who demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, professional attitude, and commitment to future students will be recommended by the institution for certification.

The Department of Education offers an undergraduate major in Educational Studies for students interested in the study of educational foundations, methods, and processes. The major includes a culminating capstone where students will be engaged in an educational context to deepen their understanding the complexity of education and schooling as well as develop the ability to think critically about the ways in which education intersects with a broad range of social, cultural, political, and economic forces. The Educational Studies major does not lead to teacher certification.

• Students will demonstrate that they can create learning experiences that reflect the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of a various discipline(s).
• Students will reflect on their understanding of how individual differences and diverse cultures impact education to create inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
• Students will design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences that reflects their understanding of  how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas.
• Students will demonstrate that they have acquired and mastered the dispositions that define professionalism.
• Students will demonstrate their ability to seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

FIELD EXPERIENCE

The faculty in the Department of Education are committed to ongoing and frequent observation and involvement in schools. All students engaged in education courses will spend time in a field setting in each of the semesters for which they are registered for professional education courses. Involvement in the schools will be connected to specific, course-related tasks (e.g., observation, the teaching of lessons, conducting of experiments, administration of assessments, etc.). Students in Educational Studies will also have internship experiences in school or educational contexts that support their career aspirations.

We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their major advisor. 

Individuals who have full acceptance in the Teaching Certification Program can transfer up to, but no more than (6) education credits from other universities.

In-service or workshop-type courses that do not carry college credit will not be accepted for transfer equivalency.

No course of any kind will be accepted from other institutions after your acceptance into the program at É«ÏãÊÓƵ without a course equivalency granted prior to the course being taken.

Candidates for all undergraduate education programs not already possessing a bachelor’s degree must meet the core requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the requirements for their major. Elementary/middle certification requirements for the major rests solely within the Department of Education. Secondary certification students and art education students must meet two sets of major requirements involving their content major as well as the requirements for professional certification. 

Each undergraduate student will be reviewed for admission to advanced standing when s/he has completed approximately 60 credit hours. Advanced standing is earned by achieving minimums of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in professional education courses with no course grade below a C; 3.0 in content area classes for those pursuing secondary or art education certification; and a 2.5 cumulative grade point average across all courses including the core curriculum and electives. Grade point averages will be calculated using only courses taken at É«ÏãÊÓƵ (the cumulative grade point average) and using transfer courses if accepted as a part of the professional program (the cumulative professional grade point average). Students who do not meet these grade-point average requirements must improve their grade-point average before continuing in education courses, or change their major to Education Studies. If a grade below C- is attained in a professional education course, that course must be retaken until at least a C- is received before additional education courses can be taken.

COURSE WITHDRAWAL POLICY

In the fall, spring, and summer semesters, a student may withdraw from a course without academic penalty with a grade of W at any time during the first two-thirds of the semester as specified in the current academic calendar. If withdrawal occurs after that date, the grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) will be entered. The grade of WF is computed in the grade point average.

INCOMPLETE POLICY

An Incomplete (I) grade may be given by the instructor to a student, who is doing passing work in a course, but who, for reasons beyond his/her control, is not able to complete the work on time. The Incomplete grade must be changed within the time limit determined by the instructor and may not extend beyond six weeks following the end of the semester or 30 days following the end of an eight-week session. Until changed, the Incomplete grade defers computation of credits and grade points for the course to which it is assigned. Failure to complete the work before the deadline date, or within the time imposed by the instructor, results in the assignment of an administrative F grade for the course. Once an Incomplete grade is removed, academic standing will be updated according to dean's list, good standing or probationary standards.

COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

All coursework, including the internship, should be completed within a five-year timeframe.  A delay beyond the five years might warrant the retaking of course work.  Furthermore, if state certification requirements change prior to your completion even within the five-year timeframe, those changes must be incorporated into a revised program plan, in order to meet state certification regulations.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Informationsection of this catalog.