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Dr. Katherine Roe, Chair roek@wcsu.edu White Hall 321A, Midtown campus (203) 837-8510 (203) 837-8413 (fax)
Therese Richardson, Department Secretary richardsont@wcsu.edu White Hall 321, Midtown campus (203) 837-8510 (203) 837-8413 fax
Faculty
Mission Statement
The mission of the Education and Educational Psychology Department is to prepare candidates for careers as teachers, counselors, and specialized professionals committed to the continuous support and development of collaborative projects with area schools and community agencies. We embrace the broader mission of Western Connecticut State University by providing our students with a quality education by fostering their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society. To achieve this mission students will:
PROGRAM DISCLAIMER: Please note that Connecticut teacher certification regulations are subject to change due to legislative proposals and mandates, and that the information in the catalog may not reflect the most recent modifications in the WCSU Education program. Therefore, it is imperative that students check often with their advisers and attend Education Department information sessions for updates and new requirements.
Important note for all Music Education and Health Education majors: Only the Elementary Education degree program is detailed in this part of the WCSU Undergraduate Catalog.
Learning Outcomes
Transfer Students
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (B.S.) (GRADES 1-6) Interdisciplinary Major
Program Summary
Elementary Education candidates major in Interdisciplinary Studies which reflect the content of the elementary school curriculum.
Catherine O’Callaghan, Coordinator of Elementary Education Program ocallaghanc@wcsu.edu
Description: The goals, objectives and learning outcomes of WCSU’s Elementary Education: Interdisciplinary Program are varied and are critical to facilitate the development of elementary educators to work in diverse classrooms.
Degree Requirements
All degrees at WCSU require 120 semester hours (SH). This includes major requirements, general education requirements, cognates (where applicable), and free electives. This structure provides room for minors, internships, and study abroad.
Required Courses in the Major: Elementary Education: Interdisciplinary
General Education: All students must complete the General Education curriculum. General Education Requirements include both competency and breadth requirements. In some cases, major courses will satisfy competencies. These are indicated in the parentheses after the course title. For a complete description of the General Education program, follow this link. https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/ugrad2324/academic-programs-degrees/
Cognates: In some programs there are courses outside of the major that are required as pre-requisites or enhancements to the major course work. These courses may satisfy competencies and they will count toward the general education breadth requirement. If cognate courses are required, they are included in the list of courses required in the major.
Electives: All degrees require 120 semester hours. Elective credits are opportunities for minors, internships, study abroad, and just following general interests. We encourage all students to speak with their advisors about great opportunities for their elective courses.
Sample Four Year Plan: BS Elementary Education: Interdisciplinary
*Students who place into MAT 100 or MAT 100P are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement the summer prior to admission. If you choose to take it during your first fall you will need to enroll in COM 163 during your final semester.
Suggested Course Sequence
NOTE: At this time, we cannot provide more specific course requirement details due to changes from the Connecticut State Department of Education and pending state legislation; course sequence decisions will be contingent on these state mandates. Therefore, you MUST meet regularly with your assigned Elementary Education adviser and attend ALL information sessions.
The Elementary Education program is demanding, so it is important for candidates to adhere to the suggested course sequence in order to complete the program in four years. General education requirements should be taken during the freshman year and sophomore year. Education foundation courses should be taken in the recommended sequence. Some education courses have specified prerequisites and GPA requirements; please see course listings. Candidate teaching courses and the field components must be taken in the sequence specified.
Elementary Education Interdisciplinary courses — See the specific program sheet listed on the WCSU website
In addition to the Education program coursework, the following three exams are required:
A passing score on this reading exam is a requirement for Elementary Education state certification. It is strongly recommended that Elementary Education candidates take this reading exam at the end of their candidate teaching semester. Additional information is available online at http://www.ct.nesinc.com
Beginning Fall 2019, all program completers must pass the edTPA assessment to be recommended for certification. The edTPA assessment is a teaching portfolio that demonstrates candidates’ skills in planning, instruction, and assessment.
The Praxis Core is no longer required for certification, however, it is required by the Connecticut State Department of education (CSDE) for diagnostic purposes. Candidates must take Connecticut state mandated basic skills examination (PRAXIS Core) in mathematics, reading and writing or present their SAT/ACT scores to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills.
Although not a graduation requirement, passing scores on appropriate PRAXIS II exams are necessary for program completion and subsequent recommendation for teacher certification. The exam tests the essential subject area knowledge unique to each certification teaching area.
At the end of the freshman year, candidates may apply to enter the Education Department. All freshman candidates who wish to become Education majors must demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (subject to change based on state mandates) upon completing 30 credits.
Candidates who fail to meet this grade point average requirement will not be eligible to declare an Education major. Once accepted as Education majors, candidates must continue to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (subject to change based on state mandates) in order to remain in the Education program. Admission into the Residency semesters during the senior year are also contingent on the 3.0 GPA or higher standard (subject to change based on state mandates).
The Elementary Education program at WCSU is rigorous and not all candidates applying for professional program admission are accepted. Candidates seeking admission to WCSU’s elementary education certification programs must have completed and met the following criteria:
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
After all of these criteria have been met, then candidates must fulfill these additional requirements for admissions to the Residency Year (Residency I and II):
Submission Deadline Dates Applying for Residency Year (Residency I and II)
Elementary Education candidates apply for Residency in the fall of their junior year. Candidates must have all their materials submitted to the elementary education program coordinator by the deadline date. The deadline is November 1 of the junior year. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that all materials are submitted by the deadline date. Once materials are received, candidates are contacted for an interview. Only complete files will be reviewed for Residency.
Reapplication Process if Denied Program Acceptance
If the interview team from the professional program recommends that a candidate not be admitted to the teacher education program, the candidate may reapply for admission one semester after the notification of denial. Candidates have the right to review a copy of the completed interview form.
Residency Year
Residency Grading Policy
Candidates earning less than a “B” grade in residency may be required to complete additional placement and/or course work before receiving a recommendation for graduation and certification.
During their last year, elementary education majors enter the residency phase of the program. In order to register for residency in an elementary school, candidates must present at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (subject to change based on state mandates) for all courses taken in their academic and professional education course work.
A variety of consequences are considered when the residency candidate is in danger of failing, or fails the clinical experience. Depending on the resident’s evaluative situation, some options that may be available to the resident include:
Residency Dismissal Appeal Process: The residency candidate has the right to submit a written appeal within seven days of a notification of dismissal, to the chair of the E&EPY Department, the coordinator of clinical experiences, and the university supervisor. The affected residency candidate also has the right — within two weeks of the hearing date — to appeal, in writing, his/her dismissal to the Dean of Professional Studies.
Dismissal from the Residency Experience On occasion, difficulties may arise during the Residency I or Residency II semester. In these instances, Elementary Education Coordinator, Residency instructor or University Supervisor works with the residency candidate and other school or university stakeholders to resolve these situations. Note: the Elementary Education coordinator, the Residency instructor and the university supervisors are WCSU Department of Education faculty members.
Every effort is made to assess the situation quickly and to establish a plan of action. Based upon the specifics of the situation, the student may: (1) be reassigned to a different t teaching placement; (2) be removed from the clinical school experience by the chair of the department. Residency candidates will be informed in writing of decisions regarding their status and may appeal these decisions to the Dean of the School of Professional Studies.
Dismissal from the Elementary Education Interdisciplinary Program
Strict guidelines for admission to, and retention in, the teacher education certification programs are part of academic excellence. Students who fail to meet or maintain established admission and retention criteria will be suspended from the program. Students may be given one year according to the school’s academic calendar to retake a course and regain good standing for consideration of readmission with the except for ethical issues, felonies and violations of the professional code. At the end of one year, candidates will be dismissed if their GPA has not met the 3.0 minimum standard (subject to change based on state mandates) which includes all WCSU and transfer credits.
Professional Education Fees
