2008-2009 Catalog - Virginia Wesleyan College

EDUCATION/SPECIAL EDUCATION/ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION FOR TEACHERS75470 Internship in the Natural Sciences (3)An intensive study of a particular field of sciencethrough on-site field experience. Internships involve handsonopportunities in the sciences that are relevant to thatparticular site. Students are expected to devote a minimumof at least 120 hours for three semester hours, but someplacements may require more time. Students mustcoordinate their internship placement with the supervisingfaculty member at least two months prior to placement.Pass/fail grading. Prerequisites: junior/senior status andconsent. Offered each semester.480 Seminar in Earth &Environmental Sciences (1)An advanced seminar on various announced topics inearth and environmental sciences. Topics may include, butare not limited to: conservation of biodiversity, riskassessment, the Chesapeake Bay, habitat restoration,environmental monitoring, biogeochemistry, environmentalpolicy, and sustainable development. Prerequisite:junior/senior standing and consent. Offered each spring.485 Earth and Environmental Science forSecondary School Teachers (1-4)Provides in-service middle and high school earth scienceteachers with an intensive survey of an advanced topic inthe earth or environmental sciences. Topics covered aretailored to the needs of the school district requesting thecourse and may include such topics as historical orstructural geology, meteorology, oceanography orgeographic information systems (GIS). The requirementsfor SOLs will strongly influence the selection of coursematerial. Discussions include how to effectively convey thescientific information to students. Identical to GEOG 485.Prerequisite: consent. Offered on demand.489 Research in the Natural Sciences (3)Identical to BIO 489 and CHEM 489.ECONOMICS(See Management, Business, and Economics)EDUCATION/SPECIAL EDUCATION/ALTERNATE CERTIFICATIONFOR TEACHERSMission StatementThe Education Department is committed to providingprospective teachers with a broad-based, liberal artsorientededucation as well as the highest quality ofdisciplinary preparation in the content area fields andteaching methodology. Unique features of this programinclude early supervised field experiences usually beginningin the sophomore year, strong mentoring efforts by facultyand staff, and the development of area school partnershipsthrough advisory committees and school division contacts.Admission to the Education DepartmentThe professional education programs at VirginiaWesleyan College are periodically reviewed by the StateDepartment of Education and have been designated by theState Board of Education as state approved. Students whowish to complete the professional education program mustformally apply for admission to the Education Department.Application packets are available in the Teacher EducationCertification office.Students will be admitted to the Education Departmentwhen they have met all of the following requirements:1. Earn and maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 in the PIDMmajor and 2.5 overall.2. Earn passing scores (as established by the VirginiaDepartment of Education) on Praxis I. Certain SAT/ACT scores may be accepted in lieu of Praxis I.Contact the Education Department for details.3. Earn a passing score on the Virginia Reading Assessment(where applicable).4. Earn a passing score on the Virginia Communicationand Literacy Assessment.5. Submit an application to the Education Department,an essay, and two (2) recommendations.Students will not be eligible to register for or participatein student teaching until they have been admitted to theEducation Department, completed all required coursework, and submitted proof of having taken Praxis II.TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMSThe teacher preparation programs at Virginia WesleyanCollege are known for excellence in preparing classroomteachers. We believe that it takes the entire college toeducate a teacher; therefore, our interdivisional majorintegrates the liberal arts program, the general studiesrequirements, and the professional education courses.All of our education programs have been carefullydesigned to respond to the competencies detailed in theLicensure Regulations for School Personnel, VirginiaDepartment of Education.DR. KAREN BOSCHMR. THOMAS R. FARLEY, Program DevelopmentCoordinator for K-12; Alternate Certification forTeachers (ACT)MS. GINGER L. FERRISDR. B. MALCOLM LIVELY, Director of Teacher EducationDR. JAYNE E. SULLIVANMRS. STACEY WOLLERTON, Director of Field Experiences