Education
Program Director: Associate Professor Diane Byrne; Adjunct Professor Timothy Crowley
The BS in Education is designed to lead to recommendation for licensure for students who complete the program. The BS in Education requires all students to have a double major. Those choosing elementary education may major in mathematics or any of the Liberal arts and science areas that are offered at Norwich University. Those who choose secondary education must major in Mathematics.
Successful completion of this major demands a high degree of commitment on the student’s part. In some instances, this may require an extra semester. However, if the double major is started in a student’s freshman year, requirements for both degrees can be completed in four years. All education majors are required to have an overall GPA of 3.0 in both majors before being placed in Student Teaching and before graduation. In addition, all education majors are required to take the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators test & the PRAXIS II Content Tests. All students are required to take the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators test before the end of their sophomore year or 60 credits. All students are required to take the PRAXIS II Content Tests in the spring of their junior year before their completion of 90 credits. Both PRAXIS tests are to be passed with results received by the Director of Education Teacher Licensure prior to placement in Student Teaching. Other licensure requirements, such as the licensure portfolio, are articulated in the Education Teacher Licensure Student Handbook. Education Teacher Licensure has a reciprocity agreement with 50 states of the United States. This allows you to teach in other states with your Vermont Teacher License up to two years. More information on our reciprocity agreement can be found in the Education Teacher Licensure Student Handbook.
The BS in Education Teacher Licensure requires 120 credits for elementary and secondary tracks.
B.S. in Education/Elementary Teacher Licensure - Curriculum Map
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ED 104 Foundations of Education | 3 | PY 220 Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| PY 211 Introduction to Psychology | 3 | EN 102 Composition and Literature II | 3 |
| HI Elective (excludes HI 209) | 3 | MA 161 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II | 3 |
| MA 160 Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers I | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| EN 101 Composition and Literature I | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ED 234 Learning and Teaching Strategies | 4 | ED 315 Special Needs Child | 3 |
| Literature Course (required for all degrees) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Lab Science | 4 | Lab Science | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Arts & Humanities Course (required for all degrees) | 3 |
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MA 360 Teaching Mathematics at the Elementary - Middle School Level (or Elective; offered every other fall in even numbered years. MA 161 prerequisite for MA 360) | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | ED 351 Methods of Teaching Science to Elementary Students | 3 |
| PY 352 Learning and Memory | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| ED 360 Language Arts and Teaching Reading in the Elementary School | 4 | Ethics Course (Required for all degrees) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 17 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ED 432 Curriculum and Methods of the Elementary School | 4 | ED 425 Student Teaching | 12 |
| Four Electives | 12 | ||
| 16 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 123 | |||
The B.S. in Education secondary requires students to major in Mathematics.
B.S. in Education/Secondary Teacher Licensure - Curriculum Map
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ED 104 Foundations of Education | 3 | PY 220 Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| HI Elective (excludes HI 209) | 3 | EN 102 Composition and Literature II | 3 |
| PY 211 Introduction to Psychology | 3 | MA Elective | 3-4 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| EN 101 Composition and Literature I | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15-16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ED 234 Learning and Teaching Strategies | 4 | EN 202 World Literature II | 3 |
| EN 201 World Literature I | 3 | Arts & Humanities (Required for all degrees) | 3 |
| PY 324 Adolescent Psychology | 3-4 | Lab Science | 4 |
| Lab Science | 4 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | |
| 17-18 | 13 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PY 352 Learning and Memory | 4 | ED 363 Reading and Writing in the Content Area | 4 |
| Elective | 3 | Ethics (Required for all degrees) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ED 368 Curriculum & Methods in Secondary Subjects | 4 | ED 425 Student Teaching | 12 |
| Four Electives | 12 | ||
| 16 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 120-122 | |||
The Fifth-Year Program
For those with degrees in appropriate fields, an opportunity to become a candidate for licensure is provided through a “fifth-year” program. These students are non-matriculating students. Each candidate’s course work and experience are evaluated and a program of study is recommended. Typically, for candidates without education or psychology courses, the program takes 1-1/2 – 2 years to complete. Because of course sequencing, a candidate with some of the required courses must commit to a minimum of one year. Candidates must meet the same requirements for licensure as those students enrolled in the Education Major.
The Portfolio
All licensure candidates are required to complete a portfolio. Development of the portfolio begins in your sophomore year and is continued in subsequent courses. Substantial progress toward completion must be demonstrated before the student is admitted to student teaching. This means that Entries 1-4 need to be completed and assessed prior to Student Teaching Placement. The development of your portfolio and its process is discussed in further detail in your Portfolio Handbook.
Praxis Tests
In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must achieve a passing score on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators and the PRAXIS II Content Tests. These tests are discussed in detail with Education students during their individual advising times.
All students are required to pass PRAXIS I Core Academic Skills for Educators test and the Praxis II Content tests prior to placement in ED 425 Student Teaching.
Elementary Education Minor
The student will complete the following courses:
| ED 234 | Learning and Teaching Strategies | 4 |
| PY 220 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| ED 315 | Special Needs Child | 3 |
| And three of the following four courses: | 9-11 | |
| ED 432 | Curriculum and Methods of the Elementary School | 4 |
| ED 351 | Methods of Teaching Science to Elementary Students | 3 |
| ED 360 | Language Arts and Teaching Reading in the Elementary School | 4 |
| MA 360 | Teaching Mathematics at the Elementary - Middle School Level | 3 |
| Total Credits | 19-21 | |
Secondary Education Minor
| ED 234 | Learning and Teaching Strategies | 4 |
| PY 220 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
| ED 315 | Special Needs Child | 3 |
| ED 363 | Reading and Writing in the Content Area | 4 |
| ED 368 | Curriculum & Methods in Secondary Subjects | 4 |
| PY 324 | Adolescent Psychology | 3,4 |
| Total Credits | 21-22 | |
Courses
ED 101 Foundations of Education I 1 Credit
This is a one-credit course that is offered during the first semester of the freshman year and introduces teacher education licensure candidates to the teaching profession. Topics include teacher characteristics, demands of the profession, self assessment, the nature of teaching, and an introduction to the development of the professional portfolio. Offered in the Fall.
ED 102 Foundations of Education II 1 Credit
Observations of children and adolescents in day care, preschool, and the public schools. 1 lecture hour.
ED 104 Foundations of Education 3 Credits
This course examines the historical, sociological, and philosophical foundations of the American educational system. Current trends in education will be reviewed and evaluated. Issues affecting the role of the teacher, including school governance and finance, legal foundations, social influences, and educational reform will be explored. This course is a prerequisite course for ED 234 Learning Strategies for Education Majors. Offered Fall and Spring semesters. 3 lecture hours.
ED 234 Learning and Teaching Strategies 4 Credits
This course includes an overview of the most commonly used strategies in elementary and secondary classrooms. Topics include planning, instructional objectives, media and computer applications, common learning strategies (lecture, discussion, cooperative learning, role playing, questioning, discovery learning) evaluation and assessment of learning. Secondary teacher licensure candidates prepare units and lessons in their fields of study applying specific methods and materials of the subject area. All students participate in microteaching situations. Required for elementary and secondary teacher licensure candidates. Twelve hours of classroom observation are required in this course. Offered in Fall. Prerequisite: ED 104.
ED 315 Special Needs Child 3 Credits
An introduction to the developmental, emotional, behavioral, and learning characteristics of the special child. Topic areas include learning disabilities, intellectual disabilities, emotional disorders, and physical handicaps. Also included are federal and state laws, regulations, curricular adaptations and integration strategies. Required and only for elementary and secondary Teacher/Education Licensure Candidates. Prerequisite: ED 234 or permission of the instructor. 3 lecture hours.
ED 351 Methods of Teaching Science to Elementary Students 3 Credits
This course examines objectives, methods, and content in elementary science instruction. Emphasis will be on student preparation, teaching and carrying out science activities. These activities will be ready for classroom use. National standards, Vermont Framework, and Vermont Grade Cluster Expectations will be the basis for the content and for the appropriateness of content at different grade levels. This course cannot be used to meet the general education laboratory levels. Prerequisite ED 234. Ten hours of practicum is required and development of portfolio continues. A service-learning component is also offered to all students.
ED 360 Language Arts and Teaching Reading in the Elementary School 4 Credits
A study of language development and reading, including an introduction to traditional instructional methodologies of reading and a study of the whole language approach to the language arts. Students will have opportunities to apply theory in various settings. Required for elementary teacher licensure candidates. Prerequisite: ED 234. Twelve hours of classroom observation are required in this course. A service Learning component is also attached to this course which will provides students an opportunity to work in the community in the context of literacy. Development of portfolio continues.
ED 363 Reading and Writing in the Content Area 4 Credits
A course designed to familiarize content area teachers with the theories and practices of reading and writing in specific disciplines. Students will examine the developmental nature of the reading and writing processes and design discipline-specific materials. Students work as tutors at the secondary and college levels. Required of secondary teacher licensure candidates. Prerequisite: ED 234. A Practicum of 30 hours will be done by Secondary track students during this course. Offered in Spring.
ED 368 Curriculum & Methods in Secondary Subjects 4 Credits
An examination of the curriculum and teaching strategies associated with the subjects taught in the secondary school, including English, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students will learn about the general methods for teaching at the Middle/High school level, but will concentrate on their area of content concentration in both their practicum and final project. Knowledge and research in child growth and development is used as a guide for determining the curriculum materials and procedures that are suitable for secondary education students. Students work with adolescents, develop curriculum, and teach lessons in the Middle/High School. Students will keep a reflective journal of all their experiences in the practicum. Required for Teacher Education Licensure secondary track. A Practicum of 30 hours will be required in this course. Offered in the fall. Development of a portfolio continues.
ED 401 Topics in Education 1 Credit
In this course students are involved in individual investigation, survey, or a project related to education. Offered on demand.
ED 403 Topics in Education 3 Credits
In this course the student has an opportunity to select and read in a specific area of interest in education that is not available through regular course offerings. Offered on demand.
ED 425 Student Teaching 12 Credits
In this course there is a full-time student teaching assignment. This course may be taken only as a part of the teacher education licensure program. This is a capstone course for teacher education Licensure students. Offered every semester. 14 lecture hours. A service-learning componet is embedded in this course.
ED 432 Curriculum and Methods of the Elementary School 4 Credits
An examination of the curriculum and teaching strategies associated with the subjects taught in the elementary school, including mathematics, science, social studies, health, physical education, and the fine arts. Knowledge and research in child growth and development are used as a guide for determining the curriculum materials and procedures that are suitable for children. Students work with children to develop curriculum and teach lessons in the elementary school. Required for elementary teacher licensure candidates. A Practicum of 30 hours will be done during this course. Usually offered in the spring semester.