2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
    Apr 30, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs

The School of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences grants Bachelor of Arts degrees in Humanities and Social Sciences. Bachelor of Science degrees are granted in Administration, Criminal Justice Elementary Education (K-6), and Early/Middle Education. The school offers courses in art, criminal justice, education, English, foreign language, geography, history, humanities, music, political science, psychology, social science, sociology, and communications. 

The degree programs offered by the School provide preparation for further professional education as well as immediate employment.

A degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Humanities, or Social Sciences provides excellent preparation for law and other professional schools and provides the requisite cognitive and communication skills for careers in business, government service, or journalism.

The Humanities major must earn a 2.0 quality point average on all work applied to the general studies requirements, the Humanities core, including the capstone course, English specialization, and restricted electives. A minor in Humanities is available to non-humanities majors.

The education program prepares graduates to teach at the elementary (K-6) grade level and if wanted 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, and special education multi-categorical-BD, MI, SLD (excluding autism) K-6. The two additional courses required for autism certification are also required.

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.

 
Education 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:
1. Essential knowledge in cognitive areas.
2. Expertise and practical experience in the methods and techniques of teaching.
3. Warmth, understanding, and empathy in all areas required for effective teaching.
4. 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: ”A Declaration of Intent to pursue Teacher Education and admission to Teacher Education.”​

1. 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).
2. 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 EDUC 110 Foundations of Education . The student has completed the 20 hours of observation and submitted documentation for EDUC 110 
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. The student has completed the formal Application for Admission to Teacher Education form and has submitted the application to the Director of Teacher Education.
6. 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.

Programs

    Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of ScienceNon-Degree

    Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs