Elementary Education Licensure

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Contact: Dr. Anne Slonaker (Chair, Education Department)

802-468-1328

anne.slonaker@castleton.edu

Facebook: Castleton University Education Department

Twitter: @CUEdDept

Continuing a more than 200 year old tradition, Castleton prepares teachers within a supportive community developed for the future as well as the present.

Castleton's Education Program promotes four central tenets: inquiry and critical thinking, praxis between theory and practice, reflective and research-based methodology, as well as collaboration and social justice. We believe these pillars support future teachers in the public sector as educational advocates in both local communities and the world at large.

Courses in Elementary Education Licensure focus on understanding the world of teaching and learning and developing the skills necessary to enter that world successfully. Opportunities to engage in the field occur early in the students' educational career and continue throughout the program. In early courses, students gain an understanding of pedagogical theory and practice. The later part of the program is devoted to honing pedagogical content knowledge through extended opportunities in schools. The final semester is devoted to a full-time student teaching experience. Along the way, civic engagement initiatives keep prospective teachers connected in authentic ways. Throughout the program, students capture their learning in an electronic Portfolio that allows them to record and assess their progress toward the goal of achieving teacher licensure.

Students interested in elementary education will major in Multidisciplinary Studies (BA.MDS) , or Mathematics: Elementary Education. (Students majoring in Art Education, Health Promotion: School Health, Music Education, Physical Education, and Spanish will be eligible for PreK-12 licensure.)

COMPLETE 41 CREDITS OF COURSE WORK:

-Complete the following required courses (35 cr):

EDU 1012 - Education Inquiries 3 cr
EDU 2011 - Reading/Writing: Elementary Classroom 3
EDU 2012 - Special Education: Elementary Classroom 3 cr
EDU 3011 - Elementary Pedagogy 3 cr
EDU 4031 - Educational Collaborations 5 cr
EDU 4720 - Student Teaching Seminar 3 cr
EDU 4871 - Directed Student Teaching I 6 cr
EDU 4872 - Directed Student Teaching II 6 cr
select one of these:
PSY 1050 - Human Growth and Development 3 cr
PSY 2110 - Educational Psychology 3 cr
PSY 2265 - Child and Adolescent Development 3 cr

-And complete 6 credits of electives from the following courses and/or any non-required EDU course:

EDU 2035 - Gender and Education 3 cr
EDU 3065 - Alternative Education Field Experiences 3 cr
EDU 3415 - Science for Elementary Teachers 3 cr
EDU 3450 - Instructional Application of Computers 3 cr
THA 3030 - Children's Theater 3 cr
THA 4410 - Theater in Education 3 cr

AND SATISFY THE THREE GATEWAYS:

There are three Gateways required for successful completion of this program.

Gateway 1

It is expected that students will complete Gateway 1 by the end of their second semester.

Receive a positive recommendation encouraging continuation in the program;
Earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in the education program;
Select education and liberal arts faculty advisors;
Identify a liberal arts major;
Complete and submit the Change of Academic Program (CAP); and
Make progress toward completion of the General Education Program.

In addition, students are strongly encouraged to pass the Core Academic Skills Test (Praxis I). Students are responsible for completing the Praxis exam on their own accord; this is a state requirements.

Gateway 2

Prior to completing EDU 4031 Educational Collaborations, students will satisfy the requirements of Gateway 2.

Pass Part I of the electronic portfolio;
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.0 in the education program;
Exemplify in conduct and attitude the maturity, judgment, ethical standards, and dedication expected in the teaching profession; and
Receive a recommendation from EDU and liberal arts faculty

In addition, students are strongly encouraged to Pass Praxis II: The Subjects Assessment. Students are responsible for completing Praxis exams on their own accord, as these are state requirements.

Gateway 3

To be recommended for licensure to teach in Vermont the student must:

Complete all University and departmental course requirements;
Pass the Core Academic Skills Test (Praxis I) and Praxis II examinations;
Complete all coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0; earn a GPA of 3.0 in the education program;
Exemplify in conduct and attitude the maturity, judgment, ethical standards, and dedication expected in the teaching profession;
Receive a grade of "B" or better or "Pass" in EDU 4871, 4872, and 4720;
Submit Licensure Portfolio and appropriate application materials for review by the Castleton Licensure Committee.

ENDORSEMENTS

Students seeking Elementary Licensure may also add these Endorsements:

Middle Grades Endorsement

This Endorsement is earned by taking four extra courses that provide expertise on teaching students in grades 5-9. (Click here for details.)

Special Education Endorsement

This Endorsement is earned by taking four extra courses that provide expertise on teaching students with disabilities. (Click here for details.)

(Note that Endorsement courses can be woven through the four years of undergraduate coursework but may require students to take an additional semester or two to finish.)