University Catalogue: 2008-09

Teacher Education

College of Education and Human Sciences

 

Teacher Education

The programs in teacher education offered in the College of Education and Human Sciences are fully approved by the following accrediting agencies: the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

The University offers bachelor's degrees to teacher education candidates in Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence, Early Adolescence through Adolescence, Special Education, and Early Childhood through Adolescence.

Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence

The Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education is designed to provide candidates with sufficient breadth and depth in the disciplines taught in middle childhood through early adolescence classrooms to prepare them to work in self-contained classrooms or in multiunit schools. The preparation focuses on an understanding of children and the learning processes as well as on effective methods of presentation. A certifiable minor also is required.

Early Adolescence through Adolescence

Degree programs in Secondary Education provide specialized preparation through academic majors and minors which have been approved for teacher certification. Students preparing to teach in middle, secondary, or continuing education programs must complete certifiable specializations according to one of the following options:

1. a standard major of 36 credits and a standard certifiable minor of 24 credits; or

2. two standard majors of 36 credits each; or

3. a comprehensive major of 60 or more credits.

A list of certifiable majors and minors is found in the section of this Catalogue devoted to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Special Education

The Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education provides graduates with professional abilities in educational assessment, staffing, programming, and teaching children and youth with disabilities. Teacher preparation is offered in the areas of cognitive disabilities, emotional/behavioral disabilities, learning disabilities, and early childhood: special education. Various combinations of teacher certification in special education and middle childhood through early adolescence regular education are available.

Early Childhood through Adolescence

Programs are offered which prepare teachers to work with children at all grade levels in art, foreign languages, music, physical education, and theatre arts.

Graduate Programs

Teacher and other school personnel programs are offered at the graduate level in elementary education, in a number of secondary fields, in some special education fields, in reading, communication sciences and disorders, and school psychology. See the current Graduate Catalogue.

Non-degree Programs

Non-degree programs leading to teacher certification in any of the fields of study offered in baccalaureate and graduate programs can be arranged for candidates who hold bachelor's or advanced degrees. Due to enrollment limitations, a small number of students are accepted in non-degree and second degree programs.

Directed and Independent Studies

Many opportunities are available for students to study, independently or in small groups, problems and topics in education which may not be included or explored in depth in regular course offerings.

Directed studies for groups can be arranged by departments and offered as special courses, either on campus or in off-campus settings. Those interested in directed studies should consult with a department chair.

Independent study, through a student-initiated procedure in which a unit of study is described and approved prior to enrollment, allows a student to earn one to three credits for each such educational experience. Those interested in independent study should obtain appropriate forms in department offices.

Independent and directed study should not be used as a way of taking courses which are approved as regular offerings in the College.

International Education

Students are invited to participate in exchange programs sponsored by the Center for International Education. In the sophomore, junior, and senior years, study abroad programs offer students opportunities to visit another country and take courses on the host campus that will fulfill UW-Eau Claire requirements.

Students are also encouraged to consider completing part of their student teaching experience in classrooms in a variety of countries. Exchange student teaching programs are available during the fall and spring semesters through Global Student Teaching (GST) and meet Department of Public Instruction requirements. Students must complete the first student teaching placement in Wisconsin and then complete their second placement in another country, following its academic calendar.

Students interested in any of these international studies programs should contact the Center for International Education (Schofield 111) or the Field Experience and Certification office, Brewer 151.

Diversity Experiences

Students are invited to participate in a specially arranged student teaching experience in the Milwaukee Public Schools or in the Aldine School District in Houston, Texas. Students interested in these opportunities will gain experience working in a multicultural and multi-ethnic district. Interested students should contact the Field Experience and Certification office, Brewer 151, for details.

Program and Degree Requirements

University Requirements

All candidates for baccalaureate education degrees in the College of Education and Human Sciences must fulfill the minimum requirements for credits and curriculum as specified in the section of this Catalogue titled Graduation Requirements.

College Requirements for Teacher Education

All candidates for baccalaureate education degrees in the College of Education and Human Sciences must also meet the following:

1. General Education requirements in the College of Education and Human Sciences.

2. Grade point requirements:

	Resident	2.75 average
	Total	2.75 average
	Major	2.75 average
	Minor, intended for certification	2.75 average

3. Residency requirements:

	Minimum Total	30 credits
	Senior Year	23 credits
	Major, in upper division courses	12 credits
	Comprehensive Major, in upper division courses	21 credits

4. Criteria and requirements for Professional Programs and for Admission to the Professional Semester.

5. Specific requirements of programs offered in the College of Education and Human Sciences. (See the departmental sections of this Catalogue.)

Degree Planning
A degree plan indicates how a student expects to meet the curricular requirements for a degree. Degree plan forms for the various programs offered in the College may be obtained in department offices. These plans are for students' use in planning programs with their advisers. The plans are supplemented by the Registrar's office Degree Audits used for official evaluation of academic progress.

Human Relations/Cultural Diversity/ Service-Learning Requirements

Students in teacher education majors shall meet the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's Human Relations Requirement and the UW-Eau Claire Cultural Diversity Requirement by completing Fed 385/585, Social Foundations: Human Relations, which includes completion of 30 hours of direct contact fieldwork with racial/ethnic/cultural minorities different from themselves, people from low-income backgrounds, and people with disabilities. This fieldwork satisfies the University Service-Learning Requirement. Students are expected to accrue 15 of the 30 hours of volunteer/fieldwork prior to the semester they are enrolled in Fed 385/585.

Screening for Admission to Field Experience Courses, Student Teaching, Other Intern/Practica Programs

The College of Education and Human Sciences requires applicants to complete a Background Information Disclosure and a release for a Department of Justice Criminal Background Check through the state in which the applicant is a resident. Falsification or omission of information relevant to the questions may constitute grounds for denial of admission to the course(s) or for termination of admission if the falsification or omission is discovered after admission. Further, after submission of the questionnaire, while an application is being considered or while a student in the program, if circumstances occur that would change any response(s), students must inform the College of the changed response(s). For further information, contact the College of Education and Human Sciences Associate Dean's office (Brewer 154).

Admission to Professional Education Programs

Criteria for Admission

Formal application to the professional education program must be made by October 1 for spring admission or March 1 for fall admission. Only students who meet all criteria listed below should apply.

1. Approval by the appropriate department in the College of Education and Human Sciences. See Curriculum and Instruction and Special Education sections of this Catalogue for criteria to be considered in making these recommendations.

2. Pre-education status.

3. Minimal resident and total GPAs of 2.75 on a minimum of 30 credits of degree work exclusive of courses with education (CI, Edmt, Fed, Mued, Sped) prefixes. Admission is competitive, thus the minimum GPAs do not assure admission to a professional program in education.

4. Completion of Engl 110 or Hnrs 101 with a grade of C or above.

5. Good academic standing.

6. Passing scores on Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests of mathematics, reading, and writing. Passing scores in Wisconsin are: Mathematics 173, Reading 175, and Writing 174. Information on the PPST is available through Academic Testing, Schofield 226.

Application Procedure

Formal application to the professional program must be made. The number of students admitted to a program is limited by resources available. Not everyone who applies can be guaranteed admission. See the appropriate section of the Catalogue for criteria upon which the departmental recommendation will be based. Note that minimum criteria for a department may exceed the minimum criteria listed above.

Students who do not meet all the criteria listed above or who do not receive a favorable departmental recommendation may reapply during a later application period.

Special or Transfer Students

Special students and transfer students who desire to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program in the College of Education and Human Sciences should inform the Admissions office upon application for admission to the University. They should indicate their area of interest. These students are expected to have a minimum GPA of 2.75.

Retention in Professional Education Programs

Students who are in good standing in the University but are having difficulty meeting the College of Education and Human Sciences criteria for professional education programs are strongly advised to seek the counsel of their adviser and/or the Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences regarding their continuation in the program. A student may continue in the program while in good standing or after receiving an Academic Warning. (See Academic Standing and Progress.) However, if placed on probation or if readmitted after a first suspension, the student may continue in the program only upon recommendation of the department concerned (Curriculum and Instruction or Special Education). After a second suspension, the student may not continue in the professional education program.

Admission to the Professional Education Semester

The “professional semester” is defined as the senior semester in which a student is enrolled in the field experience of student teaching or internship.

Filing Applications

Students who plan to enter the professional semester during the fall semester of the next academic year must file an application available at an education “professional semester” meeting held each November. Students who plan to enter the professional semester during the spring semester of the next academic year must file an application at an education “professional semester” meeting held in April. Dates for these meetings will be posted across campus.

Students are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after the meeting. Considerable time is required to process each application—that is, to determine eligibility, to make arrangements with schools for an appropriate field experience assignment, and to allow for introductions, orientations, and, in some cases, interviews. Students who file early will benefit by the careful consideration that can be given to their requests; the later an application is received, the fewer the placement assignments and choices still available. Failure to file an application on time will result in a delay of the professional semester.

Transfer and Special Students

No transfer or special student can enter the professional semester until after a full semester of residence and after a minimum of 15 credits have been earned at UW-Eau Claire. Senior transfer students enrolling in September must file an application for admission to the professional semester by December 1 for the following fall.

Criteria for Admission

No application for admission to the professional semester will be processed in the case of transfer and special students unless a full semester of residence and a minimum of 15 credits have been earned at UW-Eau Claire.

Factors to be considered in the application for admission to the professional semester are:

1. Criteria for admission to a professional program have been met.

2. Good academic standing, as defined in the Catalogue section on Academic Standing and Progress.

3. A minimum of 90 credits completed prior to the professional semester.

4. Completion of courses which are prerequisite to field experience. For each program, a list of prerequisite courses is available in the Field Experience and Certification office, Brewer 151.

5. Approval of the major and minor department(s).

6. Resident and total GPAs of at least 2.75, GPAs of at least 2.75 in the major(s) and minor(s) intended for certification, and a 2.75 or higher GPA based on a combination of all coursework in the major, minor (where certifiable), and professional education courses, including Psyc 261. All college-level courses attempted by the student are included when major, minor, and total GPAs are determined for admission to the professional semester and for graduation.

7. Passing score(s) on appropriate Praxis II content test(s). Information on Praxis II is available through Academic Testing, Schofield 226, and at www.ets.org/praxis.

For placements in the fall semester, the last test date for the Praxis II Content Exam is the preceding January date.

For placements in the spring semester, the last test date for the Praxis II Content Exam is the preceding August date.

For placements in the summer session, the last test date for the Praxis II Content Exam is the preceding November date.

8. Completion of the 30 hour Human Relations Fieldwork requirement.

9. Evidence of freedom from tuberculosis. Tests are provided by Student Health Service when filing for the professional semester.

10. Approval by the appropriate departments in the College of Education and Human Sciences. Personal qualities suitable for teaching will be considered.

11. Proficiency in speaking and listening demonstrated in CJ 202, or a public speaking course and CJ 205.

Deadline for Meeting Criteria

For placements in the fall semester, criteria for which the student is responsible (GPA, TB test, Praxis II Content Test(s), and Psyc 261) must be met by March 1 of the preceding semester.

For placements in the spring semester, these criteria must be met by October 1 of the preceding semester.

For placements in the summer session, these criteria must be met by February 1 of the preceding semester.

Failure to meet criteria on time will result in a delay of the professional semester.

Credentials

All senior students in education are encouraged to enroll with the University's teacher placement service, located in the office of Career Services, for assistance in preparing a set of professional credentials and in locating job opportunities.

Licensure to Teach

Criteria for Recommendation for Licensure:

1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree.

2. Completion of an approved teacher education major, including portfolio approval.

3. A 2.75 or higher GPA based on a combination of all coursework in the major, minor (where certifiable), and professional education courses exclusive of student teaching. All college-level courses attempted by the student except student teaching are included when major, minor, and professional education GPAs are determined for recommendation for licensure.

4. Completion of student teaching courses with a mark of S, or grade of B- or above in departments where a letter grade is assigned.

5. A passing score on a Praxis II content examination in each certification major, minor, and concentration, unless the field is exempted by the State Superintendent. The standardized examination and passing score shall be determined by the State Superintendent.

Wisconsin Application

A graduate desiring a license to teach in Wisconsin may obtain the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) application form from the DPI Web site at www.dpi.state.wi.us/tepdl/applications. Upon completion of all items appropriate to certification desired, the application and a check or money order payable to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction should be returned to the Field Experience and Certification office, Brewer 151. When the completion of all licensure criteria has been verified, the application will be endorsed by the certification or assistant certification officer who serves as the institution's representative to DPI. The endorsed application and the fee will be forwarded to DPI. The initial license issued will be valid for five years and will be sent by DPI directly to the applicant.

Out-of-state Applications

It is recommended that graduates seeking licensure to teach in states other than Wisconsin request application forms and instructions from the Department of Education of the state in which licensure is desired. Inquiry early in the period of professional preparation is advisable. In most cases, an official transcript of credits must accompany the completed application form; additional tests or coursework may be required. Therefore, it is imperative to check requirements of other states. A helpful Web site to obtain requirements of other states is www.uky.edu/education/tep/usacert.html. Wisconsin, and most other states, require institutional endorsement. In general, candidates will be able to obtain licenses in other states.

University Requirements in Teacher Education in the College of Education and Human Sciences

Candidates for baccalaureate degrees or certification in teacher education must meet General Education requirements as follows:
	Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence (formerly Elementary Education)	Early Adolescence through Adolescence and Early Childhood through Adolescence (formerly Secondary Education and Special Subjects)	Special Education EBD/MC-EA Regular Education and LD/MC-EA Regular Education follow Middle Childhood through Early Adolescence (formerly Elementary Education)
English Composition	Engl 110 or 112 or Hnrs 101 with a grade of C or above
Wellness	One credit each in Wellness Theory and Physical Activity or Kins 186
Cultural Diversity	Fed 385 satisfies requirement
Service Learning	Fed 385 satisfies requirement
Foreign Language/ Foreign Culture	See:  Foreign Language / Foreign Culture Requirements
GE Category I Communications Minimum of six credits including at least one A and one B	A.  C J 202
	B.  Math 203*, 204, & 305	B.  any Math course 104 or higher* (three credits minimum)	B.  CD/LD: Math 203* and one of Math 204, 305 SPED: EC Math 203*
GE Category II Natural Sciences Nine to 12 credits from at least two subcategories, including one lab science course** A. Biology, B. Chemistry, C. Geography (physical), D. Geology, E. Physics F. Interdisciplinary Studies - Natural Sciences	Biol 100, Phys 100, and Geol 106	Nine to 12 credits of GE courses from at least two departments including one from Biol and at least one from Chem, Physical Geog, Geol, Physics, or Interdisciplinary Studies - Natural Science	CD/LD: Two from Biol 100, Phys 100, Geol 106; one elective SPED: EC Biol 100, Geog 178, and electives
GE Category III Social Sciences Nine to 12 credits from at least two subcategories A. Anthropology, B. Economics, C. Geography (cultural) D. Political Science, E. Psychology, F. Sociology, G. Interdisciplinary Studies - Social Sciences	Pols 110***; Psyc 261; plus elective
Category IV Humanities Nine to 12 credits from at least two subcategories A. Fine Arts, B. Philosophy / Religious Studies, C. History, D. English / Foreign Language Literature, E. Interdisciplinary Studies - Humanities	One literature course (IVD English literature or Foreign Languages literature)
	Art 105 or 106 plus electives to satisfy minimum credits and subcategories	plus at least one course from GE IVA and electives to satisfy minimum credits and subcategories	plus at least one course from GE-IVA and elective to satisfy minimum credits and subcategories
Category V University Wide General Education	Students may include up to six credits from this category in General Education.
Western / Non-Western	One course in Western history or Western contemporary culture AND one course in non-Western history or non-Western contemporary culture must be taken as part of GE III or GE IV. ****
*Must be completed before completion of sophomore year with a grade of C or above. **Laboratory Science Courses: Biol 100, 110, 111, 151, 181, 195, 214, 320, 356, 392; Chem 100, 103, 104, 115, 325; Geog 104; Geol 106, 110, 115, 131; Phys 100, 211, 212, 226, 229, 231, 232. ***Not required for Physical Education Teaching emphasis. ****See list of options available in college office or on degree audit.

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