Education (Undergraduate Programs)

Faculty

Jen Maan, Assistant Professor of Education (Program Chair)
Amy Brereton, Assistant Professor of Education
Roberta Dorr, Associate Professor of Education
Eirini Gouleta, Assistant Professor of Education
Deborah Litt, Associate Professor of Education
L. Lawrence Riccio, Professor of Education

Description

The School of Education offers three programs to undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences: a major in education, a minor in education, and a B.A./M.A.T. Program. Trinity's teacher education programs are NCATE accredited and state approved and meet certification requirements of the District of Columbia. Students must complete a set of required courses, a set of courses in their specialization (including student teaching), and a set of co-requisite general education courses for certification. Students must adhere to the School of Education's Policy on the Praxis Examinations to enroll in courses.

Field-Based Instruction

Teacher preparation at Trinity emphasizes field-based instruction that includes a series of integrated field experiences and practicum experiences at different grade/age levels in a variety of school settings. Both the major in education and the B.A./M.A.T. Program require a one-semester full-time internship of supervised student teaching after the successful completion of all education course work (see below for application procedures).

Admission to Education Programs and Advising

Students considering any academic program in the field of education should declare their major or minor and meet with a faculty advisor in the School of Education for academic guidance about major course work and general education coursework required for certification (students continue to consult with an advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences). Students majoring and minoring in education should follow the recommended sequence of courses as closely as possible, beginning by taking EDCC 220 Foundations of Education

Allows teacher candidates to examine some of the historical, philosophical, and cultural foundations of American education. Curriculum content and organization and basic teaching competencies are introduced in light of professional organization. Implications of understanding contemporary educational issues, policy, and decision-making are stressed. A Praxis component is introduced along with an explanation of the teacher education program in light of the standards in teacher education. Field component is an integral part of the course. Formerly EDU 260 Foundations of Education. (Fall)

4 credits

Foundations of Education in the Fall term of their sophomore year. In the late Fall or early Spring of their sophomore year, students should take the Praxis I Examination. Students must provide evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination before taking 300-level courses. Passing scores on the Praxis I are required to register for all education courses at the 400-level and above. Please read Praxis information in this catalog.

Application to Student Teaching

Students may not student teach until all of the following conditions are met: 1) General Education Requirements are completed, 2) Educational Core courses are completed; 3) Education Methods Courses are completed, 4) Secondary Education Subject Area Courses are completed (secondary teacher candidates only). During the semester before prospective teachers plan to student teach, they must complete an application for student teaching. This form must be signed by the student, the student's advisor in the School of Education (a CAS advisor's signature is not acceptable), and delivered to the Program Director of Teacher Education. Failure to complete this form and obtain the requisite approvals may disqualify prospective teachers from student teaching. The completed and signed form is due to the Director before the end of priority registration the semester prior to student teaching.

Major Requirements

College of Arts and Sciences students majoring in education must complete a set of required courses (19 credits) and all of the courses for a specialization in either elementary education or secondary education. Students must provide evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination to the Program Director for Teacher Education before taking 300-level courses in education. Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in the recommended sequence.

Required Courses (20 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 220 Foundations of Education

Allows teacher candidates to examine some of the historical, philosophical, and cultural foundations of American education. Curriculum content and organization and basic teaching competencies are introduced in light of professional organization. Implications of understanding contemporary educational issues, policy, and decision-making are stressed. A Praxis component is introduced along with an explanation of the teacher education program in light of the standards in teacher education. Field component is an integral part of the course. Formerly EDU 260 Foundations of Education. (Fall)

4 credits


EDCC 250 Technology in Education
EDCC 330 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
EDCC 340 Teaching and Learning
EDTE 301 Classroom Management
EDTE 401 Classroom Assessment
EDTE 503 Physical Education and Health for Teachers

Elementary Specialization Courses 32 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDTE 321 Reading Materials

Provides a survey of children's literature with emphasis on works by major authors and illustrators with topics including criteria for evaluating literature, sexism and multicultural aspects of literature for children and integrating literature in the curriculum. Genres covered in the course include picture books, folktales, fables, myths, modern fantasy, poetry, and modern and historical fiction. Selecting, evaluating, and using a variety of materials to create skilled and motivated readers in the elementary grade. Field component is an integral part of the course.

3 credits

Prerequisites: EDCC 220 with grade of C or higher; evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination submitted to School of Education by ETS


EDTE 421 Emergent Literacy
EDTE 422 Teaching Methods for Elementary Mathematics
EDTE 423 Teaching Methods for Science
EDTE 424 Teaching Methods for Social Studies
EDTE 425 Teaching Methods for Reading and Language Arts

ONE course in child psychology

PSYC 231 Child Psychology

Reviews theories of development and contemporary research and how they relate to current social issues concerning children. The developmental period from conception through middle childhood is the focus, with topics including cognitive changes, language acquisition, sensory-motor, moral, and socioemotional development. Formerly PSY 257 Child Psychology.

3 credits

FLC Area V

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor

TWO teaching practica

EDTE 490 Practicum

Places teacher candidates in school classrooms for 4 hours a week observing teacher-student interactions, participating in classroom activities, and working with students. The field component is an integral part of the course; a field coordinator will supervise. (Fall & Spring)

1 credit

Prerequisites: EDCC 220 with grade of C or higher; passing scores on Praxis I Examination; concurrent enrollment in at least one methods course EDTE 421-445

(taken twice for 1 credit in specific terms)

ONE supervised internship in student teaching:

EDTE 473 Student Teaching in Elementary Education

Provides students with a semester-long, full-time teaching internship in an elementary education school setting under the guidance and supervision of a certified teacher and college supervisor. Candidates must apply for student teaching the semester prior to placement. Internship placements are arranged by the University. Candidates will be at their placement 5 days a week for the entire semester. 

9 credits

Prerequisites: Application for student teaching accepted by School of Education; concurrent enrollment in EDTE 499

ONE senior seminar:

EDTE 499 Advanced Seminar in Teaching

Serves as the senior seminar for the major. The seminar is a companion to and taken concurrently with student teaching (EDTE 473-484). This culminating learning experience provides opportunities to share, examine, and reflect upon internship experiences and to revisit the theories and practices of teaching as they apply in the real world of the interns' specific classroom placement. Interns also will focus on career planning and development as well the production of a portfolio (e-portfolio) containing specific requirements.

3 credits

Prerequisites: Application for student teaching accepted by School of Education; concurrent enrollment in EDTE 473-484

Minor Requirements

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may pursue a minor in education. Students minoring in education must complete 18 credits of course work. Students must provide evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination to the Director of Teacher Education before taking 300-level courses in education. Completion of only minor requirements will not satisfy standard certification requirements of the District of Columbia.

Required Courses (16 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 220 Foundations of Education

Allows teacher candidates to examine some of the historical, philosophical, and cultural foundations of American education. Curriculum content and organization and basic teaching competencies are introduced in light of professional organization. Implications of understanding contemporary educational issues, policy, and decision-making are stressed. A Praxis component is introduced along with an explanation of the teacher education program in light of the standards in teacher education. Field component is an integral part of the course. Formerly EDU 260 Foundations of Education. (Fall)

4 credits


EDCC 330 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
EDCC 340 Teaching and Learning

ONE course in child psychology:

PSYC 231 Child Psychology

Reviews theories of development and contemporary research and how they relate to current social issues concerning children. The developmental period from conception through middle childhood is the focus, with topics including cognitive changes, language acquisition, sensory-motor, moral, and socioemotional development. Formerly PSY 257 Child Psychology.

3 credits

FLC Area V

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor

ONE course (as appropriate) chosen from:

EDTE 321 Reading Materials

Provides a survey of children's literature with emphasis on works by major authors and illustrators with topics including criteria for evaluating literature, sexism and multicultural aspects of literature for children and integrating literature in the curriculum. Genres covered in the course include picture books, folktales, fables, myths, modern fantasy, poetry, and modern and historical fiction. Selecting, evaluating, and using a variety of materials to create skilled and motivated readers in the elementary grade. Field component is an integral part of the course.

3 credits

Prerequisites: EDCC 220 with grade of C or higher; evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination submitted to School of Education by ETS


EDTE 341 Adolescent Culture in Literature

B.A./M.A.T. Program

In conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education offers a bachelor of arts/master of arts in teaching (B.A./M.A.T.) program. Students are expected to pursue this teacher preparation program within the context of a liberal arts education and must major in a liberal arts discipline while they complete a minor course of study in the School of Education. For students who enter the B.A./M.A.T. Program, a further minimum of 33 credits of graduate course work is required (see M.A.T. Requirements). Other undergraduate course work may also be necessary to meet certification requirements.

Prerequisites

Students pursuing the B.A./M.A.T. track enroll in required undergraduate education courses usually beginning in the sophomore year, at which time students must seek a faculty advisor in the School of Education. Students must provide evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination to the Director of Teacher Education before taking 300-level courses in education. After achieving senior status (92 completed credits), students must apply and be admitted to the M.A.T. Program. Prerequisites for admission include a 2.8 cumulative GPA. Students should note that prospective teachers must have a 3.0 GPA in the content area in which they wish to teach (see M.A.T. Program Admission Requirements).

Specializations

The School of Education offers specializations in early childhood education and elementary education, secondary education, special education, and teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL).

  • The early childhood specialization provides the knowledge and field-based experience for students who wish to work with young children in child care, nursery, kindergarten and primary schools, Head Start, or in non-school settings
  • The elementary education specialization features a comprehensive core of knowledge and field experiences for students who wish to work with elementary school students (grades 1-6).
  • The secondary education specialization is offered in the fields of English and social studies. It provides a comprehensive core of knowledge and field experiences for students to teach in a specific academic content area in grades seven through twelve. Students must meet with an advisor to assess requirements in the chosen academic area.
  • The special education specialization provides a comprehensive core of knowledge and field experiences for students wishing to work with children and youth with special needs in a variety of special education settings. The course work is designed to prepare students for non-categorical certification, kindergarten through grade twelve.
  • The teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) specialization provides a comprehensive core of knowledge and field experiences for students desiring to work with students for whom English is not their primary language. The course work is designed to prepare prospective teachers to work with students in kindergarten through grade twelve.

B.A./M.A.T. Requirements

Students enroll in the required undergraduate education courses starting in their sophomore year. Students pursuing the B.A./M.A.T. Program must complete at least 16 credits of course work; students are encouraged to take courses in the sequence listed. Prerequisites for each course are listed in each course description.

Required Courses (20 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

EDCC 220 Foundations of Education

Allows teacher candidates to examine some of the historical, philosophical, and cultural foundations of American education. Curriculum content and organization and basic teaching competencies are introduced in light of professional organization. Implications of understanding contemporary educational issues, policy, and decision-making are stressed. A Praxis component is introduced along with an explanation of the teacher education program in light of the standards in teacher education. Field component is an integral part of the course. Formerly EDU 260 Foundations of Education. (Fall)

4 credits


EDCC 330 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
EDCC 340 Teaching and Learning

ONE course in child psychology:

PSYC 231 Child Psychology

Reviews theories of development and contemporary research and how they relate to current social issues concerning children. The developmental period from conception through middle childhood is the focus, with topics including cognitive changes, language acquisition, sensory-motor, moral, and socioemotional development. Formerly PSY 257 Child Psychology.

3 credits

FLC Area V

Prerequisites: PSYC 101 or permission of instructor

ONE course appropriate to the student's specialization:

EDTE 321 Reading Materials

Provides a survey of children's literature with emphasis on works by major authors and illustrators with topics including criteria for evaluating literature, sexism and multicultural aspects of literature for children and integrating literature in the curriculum. Genres covered in the course include picture books, folktales, fables, myths, modern fantasy, poetry, and modern and historical fiction. Selecting, evaluating, and using a variety of materials to create skilled and motivated readers in the elementary grade. Field component is an integral part of the course.

3 credits

Prerequisites: EDCC 220 with grade of C or higher; evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination submitted to School of Education by ETS


or
EDTE 341 Adolescent Culture in Literature

Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through Advanced Placement Examinations may fulfill general education for certification courses in cases where the student has earned a 4 or 5 on the examination and the credits have been reviewed by education faculty members.

CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP Examinations may fulfill general education for certification courses in cases where the student has earned a score that confers credit following the guidelines of the ACE and the credits have been reviewed by education faculty members.

Grades in Education Courses:
Undergraduate students are required to earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all Education core courses and a GPA of 3.0 in Education methods courses to fulfill requirements for the major, the minor, and/or the undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program. Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 and may earn only one "C."

Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling the major, minor, or undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program -- including general education courses required for certification -- may not be taken Pass/No Pass.

Study Abroad:
Courses taken through a study abroad program approved by Trinity may count toward general education courses required for certification, pending review and approval by education faculty and the faculty of the appropriate academic program. In general, education courses taken abroad will not count toward the major, minor, or undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program.

Praxis Policy:
Passing scores on the Praxis I are required to register for all education courses at the 300-level and above. See the School of Education's Policy on the Praxis Examinations.

Experiential Credit Policy:
Credits earned through experience may count toward general education courses required for certification, pending review and approval by education faculty and the faculty of the appropriate academic program. In general, experiential credits may not substitute for education courses counted toward the major, minor, or undergraduate portion of the B.A./M.A.T. Program.

Transfer Credits:
Transfer credits may be awarded only after appropriate program review. Courses at the 400-level and above must be completed at Trinity. Courses taken as part of the School of Education program of study must be taken at Trinity.

Course Descriptions

Explanation of Course Prefixes and Numbers
Courses designated "EDCC" are education core and common courses across various programs in the School of Education. Courses designated "EDTE" are largely specific to the teacher education program. Passing scores on the Praxis I are required to register for all education courses at the 400-level and above. The 300-level courses are generally for students in their junior year; 400-level courses are generally for students in their senior year. Courses at the 500-level are mixed undergraduate and graduate courses. Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in the recommended sequence.

EDCC - Education Core and Common Courses

EDCC 220 Foundations of Education

Allows teacher candidates to examine some of the historical, philosophical, and cultural foundations of American education. Curriculum content and organization and basic teaching competencies are introduced in light of professional organization. Implications of understanding contemporary educational issues, policy, and decision-making are stressed. A Praxis component is introduced along with an explanation of the teacher education program in light of the standards in teacher education. Field component is an integral part of the course. Formerly EDU 260 Foundations of Education. (Fall)

4 credits


EDCC 250 Technology in Education
EDCC 330 Education of Exceptional Children and Youth
EDCC 340 Teaching and Learning
EDCC 498 Independent Study

EDTE -Teacher Education Courses

EDTE 301 Classroom Management

Focuses on the study of teaching methods and classroom management techniques that facilitate the learning of students in our multicultural and inclusive classrooms. Field component is an integral part of the course.

2 credits

Prerequisites: EDCC 220 with grade of C or higher; evidence of taking the Praxis I Examination submitted to School of Education by ETS


EDTE 321 Reading Materials
EDTE 341 Adolescent Culture in Literature
EDTE 401 Classroom Assessment
EDTE 421 Emergent Literacy
EDTE 422 Teaching Methods for Elementary Mathematics
EDTE 423 Teaching Methods for Science
EDTE 424 Teaching Methods for Social Studies
EDTE 425 Teaching Methods for Reading and Language Arts
EDTE 441 Teaching Reading in the Content Area
EDTE 473 Student Teaching in Elementary Education
EDTE 490 Practicum
EDTE 498 Independent Study
EDTE 499 Advanced Seminar in Teaching
EDTE 503 Physical Education and Health for Teachers

Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.

Questions may be directed to Virginia Broaddus, Ph.D., Provost at BroaddusV@trinitydc.edu