2005 - 2006 Education/Teacher Education Programs

Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Licensure

Mission Statement

The teacher education programs take a practical, multifaceted, student centered approach to preparing teachers. Content knowledge and pedagogy are developed to prepare teacher education students for teaching all learners. Professionalism in diverse school contexts is modeled and practiced through courses and related field experience. Teacher education students create a portfolio focused on self-reflection to document growth toward program goals.

Program Standards

Content Knowledge

Teacher candidates have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter that they plan to teach as described in professional and state standards.
Teacher candidates demonstrate their continued building of knowledge through inquiry, critical analysis and synthesis of subjects.

Pedagogy

Teacher candidates reflect a thorough understanding of pedagogical content knowledge of the subject matter they teach, allowing them to provide multiple explanations and instructional strategies so that all students can learn.
Teacher candidates present the content to their students in challenging, clear, and compelling ways with an integration of appropriate technology.
Teacher candidates know how students learn and how to make ideas accessible to them.
Teacher candidates consider school, family, and community context in connecting concepts to students' prior experiences and applying the ideas to real world problems.
Teacher candidates accurately assess and analyze student learning, and have a positive effect on learning for all students.
Teacher candidates develop and demonstrate proficiencies that support learning by all students as shown in their work with students with exceptionalities and those from diverse ethnic, racial, gender and socioeconomic groups in classrooms and schools.

Professionalism

Teacher candidates work collaboratively with other candidates and clinical faculty to critique and reflect on each others' practice and their effects on student learning with the goal of improving practice.
Teacher candidates' work with students, families, and communities reflects the dispositions expected of professional educators as delineated in professional, state and institutional standards.
Teacher candidates recognize when their own dispositions may need to be adjusted and are able to develop plans to do so.
Teacher candidates collect and analyze data related to their work, reflect on their practice, and use research and technology to support and improve student learning.

Note: Should the Utah State Board of Education change its requirements for teacher licensure, the Teacher Education Program requirements will change accordingly.

Admission to the Program

All students who wish to pursue an undergraduate education and licensure program must make formal application for admission to the Teacher Education Programs. To declare education as a field of study and apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Programs, students must follow the procedures and requirements in Step 1 and Step 2 described below. (You must have signed approval from an education advisor to register for any education class, but this is not the same as being formally admitted to one of the programs.)

Forms and application materials referred to are available in the School of Education Office and should be returned to that office when completed.

Declaring Education as a Program of Study

Undergraduate students begin with step 1; Graduate and licensure-only students begin with step 2.

Students pursuing first bachelor's degrees with licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary or Secondary Education must pass the writing and language usage test. (Information and testing dates and times are available in the START Center and the School of Education office.)
Note: Undergraduate students who do not pass the test after two attempts need to check with the School of Education before proceeding to step 2.

All undergraduate, graduate, and license-only students pursuing licensure in Early Childhood, Elementary or Secondary Education may pick up a packet and turn in the following before or during their first semester of education coursework. Undergraduate students should not begin this paperwork until all but the last few (1-3) Liberal Education classes have been completed.

Declaration of Intent form and letter
Background Check form and fingerprints
Have a 2.75 cumulative GPA
Three letters of recommendation

To complete the admissions process, all students must be enrolled in EDUC 302 and may also be enrolled in EDUC 268, 303, 322, 340 and SPED 303 or the graduate level equivalent for combined masters/licensure students. During this semester all students will meet with an education advisor and appropriate content area advisor(s) to complete a program plan.
All upper division, education transfer courses must be approved by the Dean or Program Director. Transfer courses in content areas (i.e., academic and/or teaching majors and minors) will be reviewed by content area advisors to assure that they meet Westminster degree requirements and State of Utah teacher licensure requirements.

Students are admitted each semester and acceptance or denial to the program is based upon the review of applications by the Education faculty and the Teacher Education Program Advisory Council.

Students may not enroll in further education classes without being admitted to the program.

The following courses may be taken prior to formal admission to the Education Programs: EDUC 268, 300, 302, 303, 322, 340, and SPED 303/503.

Student Teaching

To student teach, students must have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program and must complete the requirements listed below.

Submit the completed Request for Student Teaching form by the first Monday in March to student teach in the fall or by the first Monday in October to student teach in the spring.
Submit the Major/Minor/Education Advisor Recommendation and audit forms.
Be approved to student teach by the Teacher Education faculty.

Appeal Process: A student has the right to appeal a decision denying admission to the Teacher Education Programs or denying the opportunity to student teach. The student has fifteen days after receiving a denial letter to petition the Dean, in writing, for reconsideration.

Note: Formal admission to the Teacher Education Program does not guarantee a recommendation for licensure. Recommendation for licensure is made upon development of teaching competence in designated areas after successful completion of the student's specific teacher education program and successful completion of state approved licensure tests.

Program Requirements

All students, whether seeking degrees and teacher licensure or seeking teacher licensure only, must maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 cumulative GPA in education courses and have a minimum grade of C+ in all education courses. In credit/no credit education courses, students must perform work at the level of C+ or higher to receive credit. Education courses may only be repeated once.

Degree-Seeking Students

All degree-seeking students must satisfy general program requirements listed above and must also satisfy requirements detailed under the specific education program.

Students with previously earned bachelor's degrees who are seeking their first teacher licensure in Early Childhood or Elementary Education are considered to be seeking second bachelor's degrees, unless otherwise designated by the Dean. These students are subject to the provisions detailed in the Second Bachelor's Degree section of this catalog.

Students seeking Secondary Education licensure who also wish to complete second bachelor's degrees are subject to the Second Bachelor's Degree section of this catalog.

Licensure-Only Students

Early Childhood or Elementary Education students with previously earned degrees who are designated by the Dean as not seeking second bachelor's degrees are considered to be licensure-only students. These students must meet with an education advisor and an advisor in their content area(s) to review transcripts to assure they meet state licensure requirements.

Secondary Education students with previously earned bachelor's degrees who are not seeking second bachelor's degrees are considered to be licensure-only students. These students must meet with an education advisor and an advisor in their content area(s) to review transcripts to assure they meet state certification requirements.

All licensure-only students must also satisfy general program requirements listed above and the specific Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary program requirements on the following pages with the exception that all academic or teaching minors are recommended but not required.

Combined Masters/Licensure Program

This program is designed for students who currently hold a bachelor's degree and are seeking a graduate degree in Education along with a Utah state teaching license in secondary, elementary, or early childhood education. Students must meet the requirements for admission into both the undergraduate licensure and the Masters of Education (M.Ed.) programs, including a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Students in this program are permitted to complete four licensure courserequirements through M.Ed.-level courses:

EDUC 302 (fulfilled by MED 614 or 606 and EDUC 300L)
EDUC 303 (fulfilled by MED 672)
EDUC 315 (fulfilled by MED 601)
EDUC 320 (fulfilled by MED 610)

These graduate courses will also count toward completion of the student's M.Ed., meaning that the student can complete up to 12 credit hours of the 32 required to obtain a M.Ed. by the time the student finishes his/her licensure coursework.

Students are considered undergraduate while in the licensure program even though they are taking some graduate-level courses. This may offer financial aid options that are not available to graduate students. See the Office of Financial Aid for more information.

Early Childhood (Grades K-3) Program Requirements (ERCHD)

Students who are seeking their first licensure must take a minimum of 30 credit hours in education at Westminster College and must also meet college residency requirements. All coursework must be planned with the student's advisor. Early Childhood Education majors must have an academic or teaching content minor. Acceptable academic or teaching minors and acceptable transfer academic or teaching minors are listed. Other minors must be approved by the dean.

Art	Music
Communication	Physical Science
Computer Science	Psychology
English	Social Science
Fine Arts	Spanish
French	Special Education
History	Speech
Mathematics	Theatre

The major in Early Childhood Education includes the following:

Completion of Teacher Education Program Admission, Step 1

Liberal Education Courses	Credit Hours
The following course, which fulfills the LE requirement, is required for the Education major: PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology, LE MATH 141 College Algebra, LE	3 4

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Foreign Language Requirement	8
	Education majors must complete eight credit hours in one of the following ways: Four credit hours of a foreign language, and either: four credit hours of a Westminster May term/summer international study tour, four credit hours of a May term/summer cross-cultural national study tour approved by the School of Education, or four credits of an international study tour transferred from an accredited college or university. Eight credit hours of a single foreign language. See Foreign Language Requirement for equivalencies, AP and CLEP credit policy. Note: Foreign Language is not a requirement for Combined Masters/Licensure Program
II.	Prerequisite Courses	11
	PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology, LE PSYC 301 Child Development MATH 141 College Algebra, LE (or higher level Note: With Dean and/or program chair approval, prerequisite psychology courses at the 200-level may be transferred from other institutions. Psychology courses completed within the previous ten-year period will be considered for transfer. ** Or higher level or equivalent	4 3 4
III.	Required Courses	53
	EDUC 268 Mathematics and Methods for Elementary Teaching I EDUC 302 Foundations of Education EDUC 303 Teaching with Technology EDUC 305 Classroom Management EDUC 315 Learning Theory EDUC 320 Education in a Diverse Society EDUC 340 Materials & Methods for ERCHD EDUC 341* Language Arts Methods EDUC 342* Science Methods EDUC 343* Reading Foundations I EDUC 344* Creative Arts Methods EDUC 346* Social Studies Methods EDUC 354 Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties (1) or EDUC 355 Literature-Based Reading Instruction (1) EDUC 361 Healthy Life Styles EDUC 362 Physical Education Methods EDUC 368* Mathematics and Methods for Elementary Teaching II EDUC 419 Early Childhood Student Teaching Seminar EDUC 490 Early Childhood Student Teaching *Students must also register for one credit of EDUC 360, Field Experience/Portfolio Development, during the first and last semester enrolled in EDUC 341, 342, 343, 344, 346, 368.	3 4 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 3 2 10
TOTAL HOURS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION MAJOR		72
Completion of an approved academic or teaching major or minor is required (see individual program listings for details).

The following classes are recommended but not required:

EDUC 300 Special Topics	1 - 4
EDUC 351* Reading Foundations II	3
EDUC 354* Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties	1
EDUC 355* Literature-Based Reading Instruction	1
EDUC 356* Study Skills in the Content Area	1
ENGL 312 Children's Literature	3
THTR 350 Creative Dynamics	2

*If not taken as a required course

Elementary Education (Grades 1-8) Program Requirements (ELED)

Students who are seeking their first licensure must take a minimum of 30 credit hours in education at Westminster College and must also meet college residency requirements. All coursework must be planned with the student's advisor. Elementary education majors must have an academic or teaching content minor. A teaching minor and the appropriate state required content test must be completed to meet the requirement for an endorsement recommendation that can be added to an elementary license.

Programs offering teaching minors are:

Art	History
Biology	Mathematics
Chemistry	Physics
Computer Science	Spanish
English	Special Education
French	Theatre

The major in Elementary Education includes the following:

Completion of Teacher Education Program Admission, Step 1

Liberal Education Courses	Credit Hours
The following course, which fulfills the LE requirement, is required for the Education major: PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology, LE MATH 141 College Algebra, LE	3 4

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Foreign Language Requirement	8
	Education majors must complete eight credit hours in one of the following ways: Four credit hours of a foreign language, and either: four credit hours of a Westminster May term/summer international study tour, four credit hours of a May term/summer cross-cultural national study tour approved by the School of Education, or four credits of an international study tour transferred from an accredited college or university. Eight credit hours of a single foreign language. See Foreign Language Requirement for equivalencies, AP and CLEP credit policy. Note: Foreign Language is not a requirement for Combined Masters/Licensure Program
II.	Prerequisite Courses	11
	PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology, LE PSYC 301 Child Development MATH 141 College Algebra, LE With Dean and/or program chair approval, prerequisite psychology courses at the 200-level may be transferred from other institutions. Psychology courses completed within the previous ten-year period will be considered for transfer. **Or higher level or equivalent	4 3 4
III.	Required Courses	53
	EDUC 268 Mathematics and Methods for Elem. Teaching I EDUC 302 Foundations of Education EDUC 303 Teaching with Technology EDUC 305 Classroom Management EDUC 315 Learning Theory EDUC 320 Education in a Diverse Society EDUC 322 Methods and Material for Middle School (2) or EDUC 340 Methods and Materials for Early Child. Educ. (2) EDUC 341* Language Arts Methods EDUC 342* Science Methods EDUC 343* Reading Foundations I (3) EDUC 354 or 355 (choice of one) (1) or EDUC 351* Reading Foundations II (1 - 3) EDUC 354 or EDUC 355 or EDUC 356 (choice of one) (1) EDUC 344* Creative Arts Methods EDUC 346* Social Studies Methods EDUC 361 Healthy Life Styles EDUC 362 Physical Education Methods EDUC 368* Mathematics and Methods for Elem. Teaching II EDUC 418 Elementary Student Teaching Seminar EDUC 480 Elementary Student Teaching *Students must also register for one credit of EDUC 360, Field Experience/Portfolio Development, during the first and last semester enrolled in EDUC 341, 342, 343, 344, 346, 351, 368. Students must obtain the dean's approval to register for more than three methods courses in one semester.	3 4 2 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 4 3 3 1 1 3 2 10
TOTAL HOURS FOR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR		72
Completion of an approved academic or teaching major or minor is required (see individual program listings for details).

The following classes are recommended but not required:

EDUC 300 Special Topics	1 - 4
EDUC 322 Methods and Materials for Middle School Educ.	2
ENGL 312 Children's Literature	3
THTR 350 Creative Dynamics	2
EDUC 343* Reading Foundations I (3) or EDUC 351* Reading Foundations II (3)	3
EDUC 354* Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties	1
EDUC 355* Literature-Based Reading Instruction	1
EDUC 356* Study Skills	1

*if not taken as required courses

Secondary Education (Grades 6-12) Program Requirements (SED)

Students who are seeking their bachelor's degree and first licensure must take a minimum of 30 credit hours of education at Westminster College and must also meet college residency requirements. Students who already have a bachelor's degree and are seeking their first licensure must take a minimum of 24 hours of education coursework at Westminster. Secondary education students must select a teaching major and an academic or teaching minor, or a composite teaching major. Students who complete a teaching minor or composite teaching major must successfully pass the appropriate state required content test(s) in order to meet the requirement for an endorsement recommendation in the content area(s). All coursework must be planned with the student's major, minor, and education advisors.

Programs offering teaching majors and minors include:

Art (major/minor)	Mathematics (major/minor)
Biology (composite major/minor)	Physical Science (composite major)
Chemistry (major/minor)	Physics (major/minor)
Computer Science (minor)	Social Science (composite major)
English (major/minor)	Spanish (minor)
French (minor)	Special Education (minor)
History (major/minor)	Theatre (minor)

The Secondary Education program includes the following:

Completion of Teacher Education Program Admission, Step 1

Liberal Education Courses	Credit Hours
The following course, which fulfills the LE requirement, is required for the Education major: PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology, LE	3

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Foreign Language Requirement	8
	Secondary Education students must complete the Foreign Language requirement of their teaching major.
II.	Prerequisite Courses	7
	PSYC 105 Introduction to Psychology, LE PSYC 305 Adolescent Development Note: With Dean and/or program chair approval, prerequisite psychology courses at the 200-level may be transferred from other institutions. Psychology courses completed within the previous ten-year period will be considered for transfer.	4 3
III.	Required Courses	36 - 42
	EDUC 302 Foundations of Education EDUC 303 Teaching with Technology EDUC 305 Classroom Management EDUC 315 Learning Theory EDUC 320 Education in a Diverse Society EDUC 330 Secondary Instructional Planning and Techniques EDUC 331 Secondary Field Study Experience EDUC 345 Reading in the Secondary Classroom EDUC 417 Secondary Student Teaching Seminar EDUC 470 Secondary Student Teaching Major/minor or composite methods courses	4 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 10 2 - 8
TOTAL HOURS FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION LICENSURE		51 - 56
Completion of an approved teaching major and teaching minor or composite teaching major is required (see individual program listings for details).

The following classes are recommended but not required:

EDUC 300 Special Topics	1 - 4
EDUC 322 Methods and Materials for Middle School Education	2
EDUC 351 Reading Foundations II	3
EDUC 354 Diagnosis of Reading Difficulties	1
EDUC 355 Literature-Based Reading Instruction	1
EDUC 356 Study Skills in the Content Area	1
ENGL 313 Literature for Young Adults	3