Education Studies

B.A. Degree with a Major in Education Studies with Middle Grades Certification, 5-9

This degree program is not available to new majors until further notice.

This degree emphasizes the integration of content knowledge, educational theory, and pedagogical practice within appropriate teaching contexts, leading to middle-grades certification. Candidates who meet the requirements for the major will complete the program below in nine terms, including completion of the pre-professional term (8th term) and Student Teaching (9th term). No other courses may be taken during the pre-professional and Student Teaching terms. Candidates also must meet all criteria for admission into, and completion of, the Teacher Education Program (see above), including the required admission and exit portfolios.

A major in Education Studies with Middle Grades Certification, 5-9, is achieved by completion of the following requirements (including portfolios), in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:

Required Core Courses—EDS 150, 228, 340, 346, 349, and 355 (or an approved alternative)

Required Professional Year Courses—To be determined

Required Collateral Courses—MAT 201 and 202

Requirements for Academic Specializations—To be determined

Exploring the Major—Students will begin their Education Studies program with EDS 150 (see course sequencing below). Those students past their first year (including transfers) will be given priority for registration in EDS 150. Prior to the first day of the EDS 150 class, students must have completed a state criminal records clearance, which takes 6-8 weeks to be processed. Students will learn about this procedure during pre-registration. While taking EDS 150, students will be assigned an Education Adviser.

Admission to the Major—Grades of B- or higher in EDS 150 and one other EDS course (preferably EDS 228); a minimum overall GPA of 2.5; demonstration of appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and temperament in classroom and field settings; a satisfactory interview that demonstrates genuine commitment to children, teaching, and learning; and a satisfactory Declaration of Major portfolio that includes an annotated resume of experiences with children, including children of the ages with whom the student plans to work; a written reflection that elaborates on one of these experiences; a written reflection on the importance of embracing diversity; a statement of educational philosophy; and a reasoned rationale for choosing the Education Studies major together with a well-developed Curriculum Plan.

Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within nine terms)—Students planning to major in Education Studies with Middle Grades Certification, 5-9, are encouraged strongly to take EDS 150 in the second term of the first year, but no later than the first term of sophomore year. (Multiple sections of EDS 150 are offered each Fall and Spring term.) Students will take courses in this approximate sequence, leading up to the pre-professional 8th term and Student Teaching in the 9th term: EDS 228, MAT 201, MAT 202, and EDS courses and specialization courses in consultation with the Education Adviser. Courses to be taken in the pre-professional term, which will be the Spring Term of the senior year, remain to be specified. Student teaching will take place in the ninth term (Fall). Throughout their preparation, students should seek to make connections between each of their General Education courses and their professional preparation as teachers.

Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major—Students must meet all criteria for admission and retention at each stage of the TEP. (See “Requirements for All Students Seeking Certification” above.) In addition to completing specified course requirements and required portfolios, each student must satisfy departmental standards for written and oral communication, demonstrated through the portfolio and course work; and demonstrate appropriate qualities of judgment, disposition, and temperament in classroom and field settings.

Other Considerations and Recommendations—Transfer students should contact the Education Studies Department as early as possible because special rules may apply. Throughout their preparation, majors are expected to seek out rich and substantive experiences with students of the ages they plan to teach beyond those associated with EDS courses. Such activities include SFA-related service work (e.g., One-on-One Tutoring), working with after-school programs, summer camp experiences, and the like.