Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Description of the Program
The Teacher Education Program at University of Holy Cross seeks to develop reflective stewards by educating hearts and minds and providing experiential service.
Reflection is a regular activity in the Teacher Education Program, and the use of reflection is a means of aiding candidates in articulating their thoughts regarding their knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Teacher candidates reflect meaningfully on their professional practice, which results in better performance and professional growth.
Stewardship is fostered by enabling candidates to become familiar with and to develop a strong commitment to Gospel principles, such as serving others in a spirit of compassion, justice, and selflessness. In the spirit of our founder, Blessed Basil Moreau, who said, “The mind will not be cultivated at the expense of the heart,” teacher candidates at University of Holy Cross learn to educate the minds and hearts of their students.
Teacher candidates spend quality time in classroom situations throughout their time in the Teacher Education Program. In the early stages of the undergraduate program, experience with the teaching profession includes classroom observations, virtual observations, small-group instruction, classroom teaching, and peer teaching. Once candidates enter the Professional Laboratory Experience Program (PLEP), they begin teaching in diverse classrooms under the supervision of mentor teachers and University supervisors. The final year of the undergraduate Teacher Education Program is spent in a year-long teacher residency. This experiential service allows for candidates to identify their strengths and weaknesses as educators and to improve their knowledge, skills, and dispositions for teaching.
The Teacher Education Program undergoes continual revision as data are acquired in the field of educational research. On-going evaluations by faculty, students, graduates, and outside agencies are an integral part of the design of the program and are used to improve program and unit effectiveness.
The University reserves the right to change any provision, offering, or requirement at any time within the teacher candidate’s period of study in order to ensure the proper attainment of teacher competencies.
Student Learning Outcomes of the Teacher Education Program
Upon successful completion of the Undergraduate Program in Education, graduates should be able to
- demonstrate an understanding of elementary education content knowledge and pedagogical skills knowledge;
- apply content knowledge and pedagogical skills knowledge to design and implement lessons that are meaningful and relevant to prepare students for achievement of college and career readiness standards;
- exhibit their understanding of the characteristics of diverse learners by making adjustments in planning, delivery, and assessment of instruction that effectively meets the diverse needs and experiences of all students;
- demonstrate a commitment to the teaching profession by engaging in professional learning, reflective practices, collaborating with families, colleagues, community agencies and engaging in research to improve content and pedagogical knowledge; and
- evaluate and demonstrate the dispositions that are vital to the education profession, modify those dispositions when needed and actively seek opportunities for professional development.
Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Teacher Education (B.S. in Elementary Education)
In order to be admitted to the Teacher Education Program, candidates must have
- Completed required freshman and sophomore-level courses;
- Earned an overall minimum GPA of 2.7, with no grade below C;
- Earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all Education courses;
- Met the Louisiana State-required scores on the PRAXIS I Core Academic Skills for Educators in reading, writing, and mathematics or scored a 22 or higher on the ACT or a 1030 on the SAT taken prior to March 2016 or a score of 1100 (verbal and math) on the SAT taken after March 2016;
- Demonstrated dispositions appropriate for the teaching profession (as evidenced in dispositions forms and completed reference forms).
Admission to the traditional undergraduate Teacher Education Program (B.S. in Elementary Education) takes place each spring. Application packets are available in October of each year.
Admission Requirements for the First Semester of Year-Long Residency
Supervised residency experiences are provided in cooperating schools in neighboring parishes. Mentor teachers are selected by the Education Department and the P-12 school partner on the basis of their certification, proven excellence in teaching, positive impact on student learning, and their willingness to mentor teacher candidates. Candidates must spend the final year of their program of study in a residency experience that includes the first day of school and the last day of school, according to Louisiana Department of Education guidelines.
In order to be admitted to the Year-Long Residency, candidates must have:
- Completed a formal application by April 1 to the Director of Residency and Internship;
- Have senior status;
- Earned a GPA of 3.0 in Education courses and a cumulative GPA of 2.7;
- Completed EDU 345 with a minimum grade of B;
- Successfully demonstrated competencies as outlined in the Professional Laboratory Experience Program Handbook; and
- Received approval from the PLEP staff and the Education faculty.
Admission Requirements for the Second Semester of Year-Long Residency
In order to be admitted to the Second Semester of the Year-Long Residency, candidates must have
- Received approval from the Teacher Residency staff and the P-12 school partner;
- Passed, with Louisiana State-required scores, PRAXIS II Multiple Assessments and Principles of Learning and Teaching;
- Maintained a cumulative GPA of 2.7;
- Completed EDU 415 with a minimum grade of B; and
- Successfully demonstrated competencies as outlined in the Teacher Residency Handbook.
Retention in the Teacher Education Program
In order to be retained in the Teacher Education Program, the candidate must
- Successfully meet the requirements included in all Education course(s);
- Maintain a 2.7 overall GPA and a 3.0 Education GPA;
- Demonstrate competencies in all methods courses;
- Maintain liability insurance for classroom participation (Student liability insurance is required before a candidate is allowed to participate in experiential service in the Professional Laboratory Experience Program or the Year-Long Residency. Membership in the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana includes liability insurance required for classroom participation.); and
- Demonstrate appropriate dispositions for the teaching profession.
Once admitted to the Teacher Education Program, candidates are evaluated after each semester in three areas: Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions for the profession. If it is found that a candidate is not meeting all requirements in these three areas, the candidate is summoned to meet with the Admission and Retention Committee. Failure to meet all requirements and conditions set by this committee may result in expulsion from the program.
Appeals
Candidates who are dismissed from the Teacher Education Program may appeal in writing to the Dean of Counseling, Education, and Business. If the candidate is not satisfied with the decision of the Dean, a second appeal may be made in writing to the Provost, whose decision is final.
Degree Offered
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Freshman
Fall Semester
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| BIO 101 | General Biology | 3 |
| HIS 101 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 |
| MAT 105 | College Algebra | 3 |
| THE | Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Spring Semester
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| HIS 102 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 |
| MAT 103 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
| PHI | Philosophy Elective | 3 |
| | Natural Science Elective | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Sophomore
Fall Semester
| EDU 201 | Literature for Children and Youth (1-6) | 3 |
| HIS 201 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| | Natural Science Elective | 3 |
| | Free Elective | 3 |
| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Public Speaking | 3 |
| MAT 104 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Spring Semester
| EDU 312 | Materials & Methods Teaching Mathematics I | 3 |
| EDU 307 | Survey of Reading/English Language Arts | 3 |
| HIS 202 | History of the United States II | 3 |
| EDU 215 | Introduction to Education: Content Knowledge Professional Dispositions, & Pedagogical Skills | 3 |
| ART/MUS/FNA | Elective | 3 |
| ENG | Literature Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
ENG (Literature Elective): 200 or above
Junior
Fall Semester
| EDU 308 | Materials & Methods of Teaching Reading/Language Arts | 3 |
| EDU 313 | Materials & Methods Teaching Mathematics II | 3 |
| EDU 335 | Methods & Materials for Teaching Science & Social Studies | 3 |
| PHI 306 | Philosophical Ethics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Spring Semester
| ENG 212 | Grammar & Writing for Teachers | 3 |
| EDU 301/EDU 301 | Educational Psychology | 3 |
| EDU 306 | Classroom Organization & Management | 3 |
| EDU 345 | Professional Laboratory Experience Program | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 13 |
EDU 345: Candidates are required to 1) successfully complete PRAXIS I (Reading, Writing, and Mathematics) or be exempt from the PRAXIS I with an ACT composite of 22, or a score of 1030 on the SAT taken prior to March 2016, or a score of 1100 (verbal and math) on the SAT taken after March 2016, and 2) be admitted to the Teacher Education Program prior to enrolling in this course.
Senior
Fall Semester
| EDU 304A | The Learner with Special Needs | 3 |
| EDU 415 | Teacher Residency I | 9 |
| THE | Theology Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring Semester
| EDU 401 | Clinical Reading Practicum | 3 |
| EDU 420 | Teacher Residency II | 9 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
EDU 420: Candidates are required to successfully complete all parts of PRAXIS II: Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Assessments and Principles of Learning and Teaching and fulfill all requirements for admission to Second Semester Year-Long Residency prior to admission to this course.
Total Credit Hours: 120