2007-2008 Undergraduate Academic Catalog - Plymouth State ...

• Childhood Studies with an option in Teacher Certification(K–8)• Early Childhood Studies with an option in Early ChildhoodSpecial Education (birth to eight)*• Early Childhood Studies with an option in TeacherCertification (K–3)• English with an option in Teacher Certification (5–12)• French with an option in Teacher Certification (K–12)• Health Education with an option in School Health (K–12)• Mathematics with an option in Middle School TeacherCertification (5–8)• Mathematics with an option in Secondary TeacherCertification (7–12)• Music Education (K–12)• Physical Education with an option in Physical Educationand Health Education Teacher Certification (K–12)• Physical Education with an option in Teacher Certification(K–12)• Physical Science Education (7–12)• Social Science with an option in Social Studies TeacherCertification (5–12)• Spanish with an option in Teacher Certification (K–12).*pending approval by the New Hampshire State Department ofEducation.Students majoring in any approved Teacher Certificationprogram may also earn Teaching English to Speakers of OtherLanguages (TESOL) certification. See TESOL academic minorin the Department of Languages and Linguistics.Note: The College of Graduate Studies offers post-baccalaureatecertification programs and/or graduate degrees (MAT, MEd, MS,CAGS) leading to initial certification in all of the above areas,as well as additional endorsements and professional educatorcertifications. Additional endorsements available through theCollege of Graduate Studies are:• Computer Technology Education with TeacherCertification (K–12)• Counselor Education Certification (K–12)• Emotional Handicap Teacher Certification (K–12)• General Science Education with Teacher Certification (5–9)• Learning Disabilities Teacher Certification (K–12)• Library Media Specialist Certification (K–12)• Reading Specialist Certification (K–12)• School Principal Certification (K–12)• School Psychologist Certification (K–12)• Special Education Administrator Certification (K–12)• Superintendent of Schools Certification (K–12)• Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages TeacherCertification (K–12)Details on the graduate programs of study are available withinthe Graduate Academic Catalog.Details on each undergraduate program of study are availablewithin the departmental listing of major degree requirements.Each program has the same General Education requirements asother bachelor degree programs at the University.Candidates may change from one teaching program toanother. However, they incur the responsibility of identifyingand satisfying all requirements of the new program includingreadmission into teacher certification. Teacher Certificationcandidates who return to the University after a withdrawal mustdo so under the requirements of the most current AcademicCatalog.Conceptual Framework for Teacher EducationThe conceptual framework for teacher education at PlymouthState University is a shared set of beliefs and attitudes thatserves as the foundation for each teacher education program.The framework clearly identifies for faculty, staff, and studentsthe core values that we share as a community. These corevalues—Commitment, Holism, Experience, Collaboration,and Knowledge—are meaningfully integrated into all teachereducation coursework, service learning, and practice teachingexperiences. In brief, the underlying assumptions of theconceptual framework are as follows:CommitmentWe define commitment as dedication, perseverance, andindividual and social responsibility. Our candidates arecommitted to lifelong learning and to increasing self-knowledge.They are committed to the beliefs that all students can learnand that education has the power to transform individuals andthe greater society. Our candidates recognize the responsibilityof educators to take a thoughtful and critical stance towardsthemselves and their profession.HolismOur holistic perspective involves affirming diversity andunderstanding the “whole child” within the family, community,and cultural context. It includes working towards an integratedcurriculum and recognizing how we as educators are shapedby our own experiences and culture. This holistic perspectiveshapes our larger vision.ExperienceExperience allows us to put theory into practice. We provideopportunities for experiential learning that serve communitiesand schools so that our candidates can do the same for theirstudents. Experience also involves constantly renewing skillsand knowledge within one’s discipline.CollaborationCollaboration involves working with students, families, andcolleagues effectively towards shared goals, showing respectand openness towards diverse perspectives, and confrontingTeacher EducationPlymouth State University Academic Catalog 2007–2008 221