Undergraduate Programs in the School of Education

Students who enroll in the Early Childhood Education (BA) and Elementary Education (BA) must complete a broad range of coursework that includes the development of content knowledge and effective instructional approaches to teach all learners.

Students who obtain a Secondary Education (Second Major Only) (English, Math, Science [Biology, Chemistry, Physics], and Social Studies) complete education courses as a second major while completing majors in humanities, arts, natural or social sciences. All three degrees have a specialization that leads to teaching certification and licensure in the District of Columbia, which has reciprocity with over 40 states. Students who complete an undergraduate or graduate degree in the non-licensure track complete a practicum experience. In lieu of student teaching, a student who completes the non-licensure track completes additional courses that includes a capstone course in Social Movements and Education Change. The unique diversity of the Washington DC regional area enables candidates to complete a capstone assignment reflective of the variety of educational contexts across the DMV region.

The undergraduate teacher education curriculum is intentionally sequenced and scaffolded to build on participants’ knowledge of theory and practice, and is guided by the principles of equity and social justice, the science of learning, and effective high leverage teaching practices. The foundational education courses challenge students to think critically and provide a broader perspective about the education landscape. EDU-205 Schools and Society provides a multidimensional view of schools, teachers, and students. This social and intellectual foundation course serves as a basis for studying contemporary education and the issues of racism, sexism, finance, governance, innovations, and the social context of American education. The course includes lectures, discussion groups, cooperative learning, Internet activities, and independent projects. EDU-321 Field Experience: Observation and Analysis (2) includes observations in diverse classroom settings at the elementary, middle, and high-school level in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. EDU-420 Psychology of Education (3) surveys the research literature on learning theories and human development with an emphasis on the role of educators. The course includes a focus on issues and theories related to multicultural education, special education, evaluation, memory and cognition, and instructional design.

During students’ senior year, undergraduate candidates complete two major field-based experiences-EDU-498 Practicum Field Experience with Seminar and EDU-499 Student Teaching Seminar in Professional Practice -and complete over 500 hours in an early childhood, elementary, or secondary education classroom. The two-day per week practicum spans 14 weeks and results in over 100 hours of classroom experience. Student teaching is completed during the candidates’ final semester at the university. Student teaching is a five-day a week placement for 15-weeks and results in over 400 hours of classroom experience. During practicum and student teaching, candidates are enrolled in a required seminar. During the student teaching semester, teacher candidates complete an edTPA portfolio, a nationally recognized performance-based assessment. edTPA is aligned with state and national standards, including the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC). During the student teaching placements, candidates prepare lesson plans, attend parent conferences and professional development workshops, provide direct instruction to students and assess the performance of their students. A common element across all field experiences is clinical supervision through the selection of well-qualified cooperating teaching and experienced university-based clinical faculty members.

The School of Education offers two education minors which offer students an opportunity to explore their educational interests beyond teaching. The Education Studies (Minor) is designed for students with an interest in education policy, urban education, curriculum and instruction, teaching, early childhood education and international education. The Special Education (Minor) is designed for students with an interest in exceptionality, disabilities policy and advocacy, and for those interested in teaching. The minors do not lead to teacher certification.

The School of Education offers one undergraduate certificate in Antiracism in Education (Undergraduate Certificate) . The certificate provides an understanding of education in urban environments with a focus on race, racism, and antiracism. The certificate demonstrates that students have completed coursework enabling them to become justice-oriented change agents in the organizations in which they work.

The School of Education offers the Child Development Associate (CDA) Program of studies, a non-degree program that fulfills the education requirements needed by students pursuing a CDA credential. The five courses that makes up the program are framed from a culturally sustaining and anti-racist perspective.

Programs

Major Program (UG)

Minor (UG)

Certificate (UG)

Antiracism in Education (Undergraduate Certificate)