Education

Minors offered (certification or pre-certification)

Students at I.A.U. may enroll in undergraduate education courses not only as a way to explore the multidisciplinary subjects of teaching and learning for their intrinsic values but also as a way of preparing to enter the teaching profession in public and/or private schools after graduation. The teacher education program offers two sequences of courses-a pre-certification minor in education that does not include student teaching and a certification minor in education that culminates in the professional semester (student teaching), which is required for teaching certification.

By completing the certification minor, students may be recommended for an initial Teaching Certificate upon graduation. By completing only the pre-certification minor at an acceptable level, students will be eligible to enter the professional semester (student teaching) following graduation. The education department offers opportunities for graduate study leading either to the initial certificate or to full professional certification. The undergraduate and graduate programs may eventually satisfy academic requirements for teaching certification in many U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

The teacher education programs at I.A.U. are based on the conviction that teachers must be highly competent in their subject matter (e.g., English, science, mathematics, etc.) and that a liberal arts education provides such competency. In addition, a liberal education prepares teachers to approach problems and inquire into ideas from multiple perspectives, qualities that are passed in turn to their students in the schools. Integration of teaching skills and subject matter competencies is achieved throughout the student's career, through coursework in subject matter and pedagogy, by field experiences in public schools and by study with practicing professionals who teach the program's courses in subject-specific instructional approaches.

The undergraduate program operates from a premise that the professional semester is a natural extension of the liberal arts tradition where learning is exemplified in its broadest possible sense. Rather than being principally dispensers of education, liberally educated teachers reflect the thinking, exploration and intellectual climate that is the basis of all education at I.A.U.. The professional semester provides an excellent opportunity to synthesize learning throughout the undergraduate curriculum-coursework in the liberal arts, the major and the minor.

I.A.U. offers the following teacher programs for grades 7-12: English, social studies, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, French, Spanish and German. The University also offers a program for K-12 art.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education

This degree prepares undergraduate students to become elementary teachers, and results in initial credential upon successful completion of the degree.

On Campus Programs

The following graduate programs are offered on the main campuses

Administration, Supervision and Curriculum (Master of Science in Education)

This degree is designed for elementary and secondary teachers or counselors who wish to seek positions as school or district administrators at some time in their careers. The degree provides students with extended research-based knowledge in areas such as leadership, curriculum development, supervision, school finance, and school law.

Advanced Instructional Processes (Master of Science in Education)

This degree is designed for elementary and secondary teachers who expect to continue teaching in classroom settings throughout their careers. The degree provides extended research-based knowledge in the areas of instructional practice, assessment and evaluation, curriculum design and leadership, interpersonal relations, and financial and political issues in schools and districts.

Certificate Program (Non-Degree)

This program provides individuals who have a baccalaureate degree with the courses and field experiences necessary to teach in elementary grades. The program provides courses and experiences in pedagogy, assessment, curriculum, and other topics that prepare individuals to be successful teachers. The program includes a semester-long full-time student teaching experience.

Counselor Education - Agency (Master of Science in Education)

The degree prepares men and women for careers as counselors in colleges, mental health agencies, and other social service agencies. The degree provides extended research-based knowledge in the areas of group and individual counseling, counseling techniques, testing and diagnosis, and agency counseling issues and practices. This is a non-thesis degree. If a thesis degree is desired, please see Counselor Education - Agency (Master of Science).

Counselor Education - Agency (Master of Science)

The degree prepares men and women for careers as counselors in colleges, mental health agencies, and other social service agencies. The degree provides extended research-based knowledge in the areas of group and individual counseling, counseling techniques, testing and diagnosis, and agency counseling issues and practices. This degree includes a thesis requirement. If a non-thesis degree is desired, please see Counselor Education – Agency (Master of Science in Education).

Counselor Education - School (Master of Science in Education)

This degree is designed for individuals who wish to serve as counselors in K-12 settings. The degree provides extended research-based knowledge in the areas of group and individual counseling, counseling techniques, testing and diagnosis, and school counseling issues and practices.

Administration, Supervision and Curriculum Developmen

Program Availability

This degree program is offered on the main campus only.

Purpose of the Degree

The degree is designed for elementary and secondary teachers or counselors who wish to seek positions as school or district administrators at some time in their careers. The degree provides students with extended research-based knowledge in areas such as leadership, curriculum development, supervision, school finance, and school law.

Courses

36 credit hours (27 hours noted below plus the 9 credit hour graduate core)

ASC 533 Leadership in Curriculum Design 3
ASC 515 Leadership for the Principalship 3
ASC 522 School and Community Relationships 3
ASC 523 School Law 3
ASC 524 School Finance 3
ASC 535 Evaluation and Supervision of Instructional and Other Staff 3
ASC 540 Negotiations 3
ASC 598A Internship 3
ASC 598B Internship 3

Graduate Core

For all school-practitioner graduate degrees in the School of Education, students are expected to complete three courses (9 credit hours) in a common graduate core designed to support and enhance graduate level study in the Education professions.

EDU 500, Research and Inquiry Tools for Education Professions provides students with the skills to critique and interpret Educational research, as well as to posit and investigate action research problems generated in school settings.

EDU 505, Technology for the Education Professions allows students to explore and utilize technology to inform their practice and to support theirs and their students’ learning, and is delivered primarily over the Internet.

EDU 590, Current Issues in the Education Professions, taken at the end of the graduate degree program, allows students to synthesize their graduate study and formulate goals for study or investigation beyond the master’s degree.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this degree program is based on a composite decision in review of the multiple sources of information listed below:

Ø Teacher or Counselor qualification
Ø Successful K-12 School Experience (Minimum of two years)
Ø Undergraduate GPA
Ø GRE Scores
Ø References –
o 1. Ability to do graduate work
o 2. Success as a teacher
Ø Interview
Ø Writing Sample

Practicum/Internship Requirement

In this degree program, students are expected to complete an internship of 600 clock hours in a K-12 school setting. Students must complete formal application for the internship.

Students must have completed three years of successful K-12 experience by this time in their program and may not be placed in an internship with less than three years of experience.

Students must also have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours in administration coursework (no less than 9 hours at SBU) prior to the internship. The experience is arranged by the advisor and the Office of Field Services and takes place during the final semester(s) of the program. Students who are employed in a K-12 school setting may be eligible to complete their practicum in their own school. This experience should be discussed with the advisor early in the program so that appropriate arrangements can be coordinated.

Exit Criteria

In order to be awarded the degree in Administration, Supervision and Curriculum, a student will be evaluated on the following exit criteria:

Ø A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
Ø Successful completion of the internship
Ø Submission of a portfolio showing professional growth and accomplishments
Ø Successful completion of the comprehensive examination

Master of Science in Education

Purpose of the Degree

This degree is designed for elementary and secondary teachers who expect to continue teaching in classroom settings throughout their careers. The degree provides extended research-based knowledge in the areas of instructional practice, assessment and evaluation, curriculum design and leadership, interpersonal relations, and financial and political issues in schools and districts.

In this degree program, students are expected to design, in consultation with the advisor, a practicum experience with a semester-long project to study or do action research on a classroom issue. This study is carried out in the last semester of the program and is presented as a part of the comprehensive examination. Students who are working as classroom teachers during this semester are encouraged to select their project from issues of concern in their assigned a placement by the Director of Field Services for the purpose of determining and carrying out their project. Internship application forms are available from the Office of Field Services. Students register for EDU 598, Internship.

Counselor Education(MSc. Ed.)

Purpose of the Degree

The degree prepares men and women for careers as counselors in colleges, mental health agencies, and other social service agencies. The degree provides extended research-based knowledge in the areas of group and individual counseling, counseling techniques, testing and diagnosis, and agency counseling issues and practices.