LIBERAL STUDIES (ELEMENTARY EDUCATION) (ED)

Bill Lawrence, Interim Chair
George Odongo
Aimee Brenner
Pam Riedel

Averett’s Department of Education has formed partnerships with eight regional school divisions where pre-service teachers complete field-based practica and graduate students are employed.  Formalized partnerships exist within the region between Averett and the public school divisions of Caswell County, NC, Danville City, Halifax County, Henry County, Martinsville City, Patrick County, Pittsylvania County, and Rockingham County, NC, Danville Science Center, The Danville Museum of History and Fine Arts, and The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.  These partnerships enhance departmental curriculum offerings and ensure that students have the best opportunities available for hands-on experience.

Virginia’s Department of Education has approved Averett University's teacher education programs.  Professional education at Averett University includes both undergraduate and graduate programs.  (For details on the graduate program, speak with the Chair of the Education Department.)  The undergraduate component provides programs leading to initial licensure in elementary, secondary, and PK-12 education.  Certification is available in Biology (6-12), English (6-12), Health and Physical Education (PK-12), History and Social Science (6-12), Mathematics (6-12), Theatre Arts (PK-12), and Visual Arts (PK-12). Add-on endorsements may be gained in Computer Science, Driver Education, Journalism, and Speech Communication. Students may also choose to minor in Special Education and/or complete Autism Studies courses leading toward a certificate in Autism Studies from the Autism Council of Virginia.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science to Master of Education Degree Program

Students may complete a B.S. or B.A. to M.Ed. program of study leading to the baccalaureate and the Master of Education degrees.  This program prepares students for teaching licensure in any of the following areas:

Teaching Licensure in Grades PK-6, Elementary Education

Teaching Licensure in Special Education, General Curriculum PK-12

Dual Teaching Licensure in Grades PK-6 and Special Education PK-12

Students wishing to complete their baccalaureate degree leading toward teaching licensure in PK-6, 6-12 or PK-12 may opt to enter the graduate program during their senior year by taking a maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit. Those courses may then be applied toward the M.Ed. as specified in the graduate studies section of the catalog. The Graduate Studies in Education program at the Danville Main Campus offers graduate degrees leading toward licensure in the following areas:

M.Ed. in Reading Specialization, PK-12
M.Ed. in Special Education, PK-12
M.Ed. in Elementary Grades, PK-6
M.Ed. in Secondary Grades, 6-12 or PK-12

Through the M.Ed. program, students may be certified as specialists in Reading or Special Education.  In addition, students who are working toward a baccalaureate degree without teaching licensure can seek licensure through the Master of Education degree program.  Interested students should contact the Chair of the Education Department or speak with their academic advisor.

Admission to the Teacher Education Program (Undergraduate Studies)

Students wishing to earn teaching licensure must be admitted to the program of professional studies in education (Teacher Education Program).  Students seeking such admission must:

• have a minimum 2.5 grade point average;
• attain a passing score on each of the three subtests of the Praxis Core Academic Skills Tests or an acceptable alternative (see Virginia Department of Education website).
• have never been convicted of a felony or had teaching licensure revoked in any state;
• satisfy other requirements for admission to the program;
• be approved by the Teacher Education Committee.

Admission to professional studies in education may not be sought until the student has successfully completed a minimum of 30 semester hours of college study with a minimum of 12 semester hours at Averett.  Admission procedures are undertaken during the semester when the student is enrolled in ED 290, Foundations of Education, and must be completed by the time 15 additional semester hours have been taken.  Admission to Student Teaching may be sought when the student is enrolled in the appropriate course, ED 401 (for elementary, PK-6 students) or ED 406 (for secondary or PK-12 students), and passing scores on Praxis II, the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), and the Reading for Virginia Educators (RVE), if applicable, have been achieved and are on record in the Education Department.

After admission to the Teacher Education Program, the student must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average and receive no grade below a C in professional courses in order to remain in good standing in the program.  A 2.5 grade point average is required for enrollment in ED 401 and 406 (the instruction courses) and for placement in student teaching.

Programs in Professional Education
        
Programs in professional education seek to:

• develop in each candidate a sense of the professional character of teaching and of the importance and challenge of this profession;
• emphasize intensive study in the academic disciplines which provide the foundation for the subjects and the Virginia Standards of Learning the candidate will teach in the school setting and provide a thorough understanding of the setting of those subject matter areas in the school curriculum;
• assist the candidate in gaining an understanding of psychological growth and development, the process of human learning, and the dynamics of human interaction as these are related to the process of teaching;
• assist the candidate in gaining a realistic concept of the role of the teacher, the student, and subject matter in the teaching-learning process, with emphasis on the function of the teacher in classroom management;
• provide opportunity for direct experience in the classroom setting through observation, field experiences, and directed teaching;
• assist the candidate in the development of a realistic philosophy of education, an understanding of the role of the school in contemporary society, and an understanding of the evolution of education in this country;
• address legal aspects, current trends and future issues in education.

Completion of the elementary education program leads to licensure to teach grades PK-6. The dual teaching licensure program listed above leads to licensure to teach grades 6-12 and PK-12 as indicated.

Publications prepared by Averett’s Department of Education should be consulted closely in order to ensure that all of the requirements for teacher licensure have been included in a student's plan of study. These publications are available in the offices of the Department of Education.

Students should be advised that the Virginia Board of Education may alter licensure processes and requirements, thus making changes in Averett's degree programs necessary.  The University reserves the right to make such alterations in degree requirements as are necessary to insure graduates of their eligibility for teaching licensure.