School of Education

The School of Education offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Elementary Education (K-6) or Early/Middle Education. The program prepares graduates to teach at the elementary (K-6) grade level and/or one of five areas of specializations: 5-9 general sciences, 5-9 social studies,5-9 English Language Arts, 5-9 general math through algebra 1, special education multi-categorical-BD, MI, SLD (excluding autism) K-6.

As a foundation for high quality professional work, prospective teachers are provided with a well-rounded general education in the humanities, mathematics, and in the social and natural sciences. The Professional Education courses are directed toward the mastery of pedagogical content, skills, and dispositions that are required by teachers in the public schools.

The administrative unit charged with the responsibility for matters relating to the Teacher Education Program is the Educational Personnel Preparation Advisory Committee (EPPAC). The Committee provides the means for faculty from the School of Education and from the academic schools and departments directly involved in teacher preparation to participate, along with Bluefield State College students and representatives from the public schools, in the formulation and implementation of Teacher Education policies and practices.

Program Description

The Teacher Education program at Bluefield State College seeks to enhance both the professional and the individual development of the prospective teacher in the following areas:

Essential knowledge in cognitive areas.
Expertise and practical experience in the methods and techniques of teaching.
Warmth, understanding, and empathy in all areas required for effective teaching.
Readiness to assume an active role in the teaching profession.

Admission to Teacher Education

Teacher Education at Bluefield State College is a restricted enrollment program. The College recognizes two levels of status in teacher preparation:

A Declaration of Intent to pursue Teacher Education is attained when the student declares his/her major in education and identifies the field(s) of specialization. Intent can be declared at any time.

Admission to Teacher Education will be attained when:

The student has passed the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills of Educators Test in reading, language, writing, and mathematics. The CORE may be waived if the student has an ACT composite score of 26 or higher or a SAT score of 1170 on the revised SAT using the combined Critical Reading and Math score (effective March 2005 until May 2016) or 1240 on the New SAT using the combined Evidence-Based Reading and Writing + Math (effective May 2016).
The student has completed a minimum of 24 semester hours with a grade point average of 2.75 or better. The student has successfully completed Education 110: Foundations of Education. The student has completed the 20 hours of observation and submitted documentation for Education 110.
The student has completed 40 hours of approved volunteer service and has submitted all evaluation forms and time logs. A minimum of 10 hours must be completed in a public school setting.
The student has submitted three completed reference checklists for admissions from full-time faculty members (two from professional education faculty and one from content area faculty).
The student has completed the formal Application for Admission to Teacher Education form and has submitted the application to the Director of Teacher Education.
The candidate has been interviewed by Education Faculty and accepted.

Students must meet all requirements for admission to Teacher Education and be accepted into the program prior to enrolling in restricted courses. Application for admission will normally occur during the sophomore year. The student is responsible for all costs associated with taking required tests.

The Professional Semester

A minimum of 16 weeks will be devoted to full-time student teaching in the public schools. Students wishing to pursue more than two content specializations may be required to spend an additional period in full-time student teaching. Candidates will complete Senior Seminar and portion of the requirements through meetings, professional development, A Student Teaching Portfolio, a Teacher Performance Assessment (TPA), and oral presentation. Successful completion requires grade of “C” or better on each component.

For admission to the professional semester, the student must:

File the Application for the Professional Semester with the Director of Teacher Education early in the semester prior to the one in which student teaching is to be done.
Have completed all General Studies requirements.
Have completed all of the pre-requisite Professional Education courses.
Have completed all required courses in the teaching specialization if applicable Exceptions will be considered if the student lacks only one course.
Have earned an overall grade point average of 2.75 or better.
Have completed a minimum of 96 semester credit hours.
Be interviewed by faculty to review status and pre-plan student teaching placement before completing registration for the Professional semester.

Upon successful completion of the professional semester, and all program requirements, and successful completion of the Senior Seminar and Student Teaching, the student may apply for certification through the Director of Teacher Education. Certification is granted by the West Virginia Department of Education upon passing the Praxis I CORE (pre- professional skills tests), Praxis II in the chosen teaching field(s), maintaining at least an overall 2.75 grade point average, and successfully completing student teaching in each programmatic level for which certification is sought (ex. K-6, 5-9).

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Elementary Education, B.S.