Department of Education

Undergraduate Program

Degrees Offered:

• Bachelor of Arts in Birth through Kindergarten (BK-Licensure)
• Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (K-6)
• Early Child Development (BK Non- Licensure)

Department Purpose:

The purpose of the Department of Education is to prepare students to function as competent and effective professionals who are critical thinkers and problem solvers.  The broad content knowledge of the University core courses provides the knowledge base of the professional education component.  The breadth of this foundation includes content knowledge in communications, mathematics, science, history, philosophy, literature, and the arts.  Courses in these disciplines introduce students to traditional forms of scholarly inquiry such as the research paper, the oral and written report, and scientific methods in a laboratory setting.

The professional education component provides additional breadth as stu­dents are engaged in: 1) the investigation of topics using technology skills, 2) reviewing and critiquing print and digital content, and 3) attending sem­inars to enhance their exposure to current trends and issues in education.

The Department of Education’s emphasis on critical thinking makes questioning an integral part of the Unit’s approach to scholarship.  Through exposure to theory and theory development in professional studies courses in concert with clinical and practicum experiences, stu­dents develop their own theory and philosophy of education and are able to make effective application to practical settings.

The entering freshman and transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.  Students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA as they continue through their course of study.  A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in the courses of their major. 

Program Learning Outcomes

North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards (NCPTS) General

1. Teachers Demonstrate Leadership
2. Teachers establish a respectful environment for a diverse population of students.
3. Teachers know the content they teach.
4. Teachers facilitate learning for their students
5. Teachers reflect on their practice

Professional Educational Program

Bachelor of Arts in Birth through Kindergarten (BK-Licensure)
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (K-6)

(Subject to change if the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s standards and indicators change.)

Shaw University students who seek a career as a public school teacher must select from the following areas: Birth-Kindergarten Education and Elemen­tary Education: General Curriculum.

The professional educational program leads to initial certification in North Carolina after satisfactory completion of all course and test requirements. All students must apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Pro­gram. The admission process is outlined in the departmental handbook.  All education courses are web-enhanced.  Many of the courses are delivered online.  All education majors must pass Praxis I or be exempt from the exam before they are eligible to apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program.  Students are exempt if they have high SAT or ACT scores (see department for actual scores).

Test Requirements

All education majors must successfully pass Praxis I based on the cur­rent North Carolina state criteria or have an exemption based on their SAT or ACT scores, before they will be eligible to apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program in the major area selected. All Elementary Ed majors must successfully pass Praxis II in order to earn their degree.

Majors Offered

Majors are offered in specialty areas that lead to the standard profes­sional 1 license as a teacher. Each student who is accepted into the pro­gram is required to select a major after the completion of the common professional studies courses.  Listed below are majors that are offered in the teacher preparation area.

• Birth-Kindergarten Education—B.A. (B-K Licensure Preparation)
• Elementary Education—B.A. (K-6 Licensure Preparation)

Major in Birth-Kindergarten Education (B-K Licensure)

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Birth-Kindergarten Education is de­signed for persons who seek an entry-level “A” (the standard profes­sional 1) license to teach pre-school through kindergarten.  In order to fulfill degree requirements in this major, students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours.

Department Professional Studies Requirements
EDU 115: Introduction to Teaching
EDU 217: Praxis Seminar II: Reading**
EDU 218: Praxis Seminar III: Writing**
EDU 219: Praxis Seminar IV: Mathematics**
EDU 255: Curriculum and Development for a Community of Learners
EDU 270: Child and Adolescent Development
EDU 321: Assessment & Measurements for the 21st Century Classroom
EDU 468: Teaching K to 2nd Grade Literacy/ Reading
EDU 401: Capstone Leadership Seminar
EDU 499: Student Teaching
With the exception of EDU 425, only formally admitted students can take 400-level professional courses.

Department Specialty Studies Requirements
EBK 248: Physical Development, Health, Nutrition, Safety in the B-K Classroom
EBK 311: Early Intervention
EBK 317: Early Childhood Guidance
EBK 325: Aesthetic Experiences for Young Children
EBK 360: Emergent Literacy E2: Best Practices Infants, Toddlers, and Twos 3
EBK 380: Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Early Education
EBK 410: Teaching an Integrated Curriculum in the B-K Classroom
EBK 440: Early Childhood Indoor and Outdoor Learning Environment
EBK 470: Family, School and Community Collaboration
EBK 485: Early Childhood Observations, Assessments, and Evaluations

*Courses are required only if student does not meet the requirements on the Placement Exam.
**Courses are required only if indicated by placement exam scores when students pass PRAXIS I) 

Number of Credit Hours Needed for Degree:  120

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Major In Elementary Education – (K-6 Licensure)

The Elementary Education Major is for students who wish to pursue a degree in teacher education at the elementary level.  Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each professional and specialty area course. Students must have a total GPA of 3.0 in this area. The curriculum provides an understanding of child development, intellectual development, and issues related to elementary education.  Students develop skills needed to instruct children in kindergarten through grade six.

Department Professional Studies Requirements
EDU 115: Introduction to Teaching  
EDU 217: Praxis Seminar II: Reading**  
EDU 218: Praxis Seminar III: Writing**
EDU 219: Praxis Seminar IV: Mathematics**
 EDU 255: Curriculum and Development for a Community of Learners  
EDU 260: Intro to Students with Special needs
EDU 270: Child and Adolescent Development  
EDU 321: Assessment & Measurements for the 21st Century Classroom 
EDU 316: Independent Study: Praxis II Preparation 
(Waived if student passes required Praxis II tests)  
EDU 468: Teaching K to 2nd Grade Literacy/ Reading   
EDU 401: Capstone Leadership Seminar
EDU 425: Behavioral Management and Intervention Strategies
EDU 499: Student Teaching

With the exception of EDU 425, only formally admitted students can take 400-level professional courses.

Department Specialty Studies Requirements
EDU 430: Teaching Language Arts through Children Literature
EDU 462: Teaching Science in Elementary Schools
EDU 463: Teaching Math in Elementary Schools
EDU 464: Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary School
EDU 469: Teaching 3rd to 6th Grade Literacy/Reading
BUS 260: Principles of Macroeconomics 3
HIS 321: U.S. History I 3
HIS 361: North Carolina History 3
INT 252: International Relations 3

*Courses are required only if the student does not meet the require­ments on the Placement Exam.
**Courses are required only if indicated by placement exam scores.

Number Credit Hours needed for Degree:  120

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Professional Educational Program

Bachelor of Arts in Early Child Development (Non-Licensure Degree)

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Child Development Education is designed for persons who seek a degree to teach infant, toddler and preschool children in non-public school settings including Head Start Programs, private and nonprofit Child Development Programs.  It is also designed for persons who wish to establish their own Child Home Care program.  This degree does not lead to an entry level teacher’s license in the state of North Carolina.  In order to fulfill degree requirements in this major, students must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours in the following categories:

Department Professional Studies Requirements
EDU 115: Introduction to Teaching
EDU 255: Curriculum and Development for a Community of Learners
EDU 270: Child and Adolescent Development
EDU 321: Assessment & Measurements for the 21st Century Classroom
EDU 401: Capstone Seminar—Electronic Portfolio
EDU 468: Teaching K/2 Literacy/ Reading
EBK 477: Practicum Teaching 

 Specialty Studies Requirements

EBK 248: Physical Development, Health, Nutrition, Safety in the B-K Classroom
EBK 311: Early Intervention
EBK 317: Early Childhood Guidance  
EBK 325: Aesthetic Experiences for Young Children
EBK 360: Emergent Literacy
EBK 372: Bests Practices Infant, Toddlers & Twos   
EBK 380: Multicultural and Diversity Issues in Early Education
EBK 400: Administration of a Child Care Center
EBK 410: Teaching an Integrated Curriculum in the B-K Classroom
EBK 440: Early Childhood Indoor and Outdoor Learning Environment
EBK 470: Family, School and Community Collaboration
EBK 485: Early Childhood Observations, Assessments, and Evaluations 

Electives
EBK 450: Teaching in Head Start Programs
EBK 300: Spanish for Preschool Teachers

Number of Credit Hours Needed for Degree:  120