Mar 28, 2024  
2019-20 Catalog 
    
2019-20 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education Studies (with and without teaching license), BA or BS


Entering freshmen at SOU have an opportunity to explore their interests during their freshman and sophomore years while fulfilling the University Studies (general education) requirements. General education and elective course selection in the first 90 credit hours will vary by students’ needs and backgrounds. Certain upper division courses in the field are restricted to majors. Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor in the School of Education early in their freshman year.

Students should declare an education major at the end of their sophomore or beginning of their junior year. Students seeking the BA/BS degree along with an initial teaching license must apply and be formally admitted to the licensure track. Applications for licensure coursework are usually submitted during the winter term in the junior year. Admission to this track is competitive. The School of Education notifies students of its decision after reviewing applications. Information about the application process and criteria for admittance is available from individual advisors, from the School of Education website, and from the office coordinator.

The undergraduate Education program has strong partnerships and articulation agreements with RCC and other state and regional community colleges. Community college transfer students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree in education may apply their previous credits upon acceptance at SOU. Transfer students should seek early advisement in SOU’s School of Education to learn more regarding application and admittance procedures to the education degree and licensure program.

Majors in education take upper division coursework in their junior and senior years that includes teacher preparation requirements, including content knowledge, pedagogy, and field experiences. The coursework focuses on understanding children in unique stages of development and learning, children and families from diverse backgrounds, multidisciplinary content knowledge and pedagogy, and field experiences in multiple, diverse settings. 

Requirements for the Major


 (Credits shown are SOU credits. Transfer credits may vary.)

1.


Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements.

2.


Students must achieve grades of C- or above in all required prerequisite courses taken for the major. 

3.


Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 prior to admission to the Education major.

4.


Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all coursework for the major. Students must receive a C- or better in all courses in the major.

5.


Course requirements are different in the senior year for students seeking a degree with a preliminary teaching license and those seeking a degree without a license.  (See Pedagogy and Field Experience requirements for licensure and non-licensure.)

6.


Students in the licensure track must report scores from a basic skills test before being admitted to the licensure track. Students may choose the Essential Academic Skills Test (EAST), the California Basic Skills Test (CBEST), or the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST). The NES Elementary Education Test (subtests I and II) can be taken in lieu of the Essential Academic Skills Tests.  The NES Elementary Education Test (subtests I and II) must be passed to receive a teaching license.

Content Knowledge/University Studies (68-72 credits):


The University Studies (general education) requirements are the same for the students in the program as for all undergraduate students at SOU. However, some courses are highly recommended or required for teacher licensure content preparation. Students are expected to see their academic advisor for suggested Explorations and Integration courses.

Field Experience Strand (Major with licensure) (A minimum of 25 credits)


Licensure requirements are subject to change according to policy set by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. 

This strand provides a variety of field-based experiences required for both the major and for Oregon licensure. These include both practicum courses and student teaching. ED 209, 309 are used for multiple practica experiences in five diverse settings: pre-school, primary (k-3), upper elementary (3-6), ESOL/bilingual, and special education/resource (30 hours for each credit). ED 411, 416, 417, and 418 form the core of the student teaching experiences.

Pedagogy Strand (Degree Program without licensure) (A minimum of 52 credits)


Coursework for students seeking an Education bachelor’s degree without the teaching license does not include student teaching. Although the Junior year coursework is the same for all majors, the Senior year coursework is different. Students planning to pursue the Degree Track at the beginning of their Junior year may, with coordinator or chair approval, substitute certain courses (up to three) for relevant alternatives given individual goals.

Field Experiences Strand (Degree Program without licensure) (5 credits required)