School of Education

Certification

Undergraduate major degree programs overview

The School of Education offers four different curriculum sequences that lead to a Bachelor of Education degree and teacher certification through the South Carolina State Department of Education. In collaboration with Divisions of the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education also offers the teacher candidate the option of completing a prescribed sequence of Professional Education courses that lead to teaching certification in the respective content area. The syllabi of courses required for the preparation of educational personnel in each professional education program reflect knowledge base, current research, effective practice, and school effectiveness. Further, the course content has been aligned with the principles of the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC), the respective Specialized Professional Association (SPA) standards, the South Carolina state curriculum standards, the ADEPT assessment instrument, and the Southern Wesleyan University School of Education dispositions. Each of these programs is described below in order to provide the teacher candidate with direction related to the most appropriate educational curriculum that will facilitate career goals. More detailed information related to each curriculum may be found in its respective section in the current edition of the Southern Wesleyan University General Catalog.

Biology Education
This degree program is designed for the teacher candidate seeking to obtain certification to teach biology in the secondary schools. It is designed to be completed in four years, including a semester of clinical experience. Successful completion of the program and qualifying scores on the examinations leading to certification will ensure certification to teach biology in high school. The curriculum includes studies in introductory and advanced biology, as well as courses in the environment, genetics, cell function, physiology, bioethics, and related studies in chemistry, physics, and mathematics that fulfill the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology. Candidates who major in biology are advised to take biology courses during the first semester of their freshman year.

Early Childhood Education
The School of Education offers teacher certification in Early Childhood Education according to guidelines recognized by the South Carolina State Department of Education. The program consists of a general education strand; a professional education strand; and methods courses in science and social studies, mathematics, early literacy, fine arts, physical education, and literature. The teacher candidate learns developmentally appropriate strategies for teaching and assessing students from birth to eight years old in these major courses. In addition to the psychology courses required for the elementary major, the early childhood major also takes EDUC 3362, Behavior of the Preschool Child, in which growth and development applications are emphasized.

Elementary Education
The Elementary Education major is designed in accordance with guidelines established by the South Carolina State Department of Education. The program consists of a general education strand; a professional education strand; and methods courses in science and social studies, mathematics, language arts and reading, fine arts, physical education, and literature. A teacher candidate learns strategies for teaching and assessing students in 2nd through 6th grade classrooms in these major courses.

English Education
This degree program is designed for teacher candidates who want to teach English at the middle school or high school level. There are two main areas of emphasis: English and education. The English major component includes 30 hours of courses (beyond the general education requirement) to meet South Carolina certification standards in English. Additionally, the teacher candidate must complete 35 hours of professional education courses in order to be certified.

Mathematics Education
This degree program is designed for those who want to teach mathematics at the high school level. The two main components of the program are mathematics and computer science courses and professional education courses.  The mathematics and computer science courses comprise 30 hours (above the general education requirements) to meet South Carolina certification standards in mathematics and computer science.  Additionally, the teacher candidate must complete 32 hours of professional education courses to be certified.
 
Music Education
This degree program is designed to prepare competent, professional music teachers in areas such as elementary music, junior high general music, and junior/senior high school band, chorus, and orchestra. The music education major normally pursues one of two tracks, choral or instrumental, dependent upon the teacher candidate’s respective applied major. Teacher candidates taking piano as their applied major may choose either the choral or instrumental track. All graduates must take a 58-hour curriculum of major courses which includes theory, aural fundamentals, conducting, music history, instrumental methods, orchestration, ensembles and applied study. Music education teacher candidates are also required to give a 30-minute recital in their applied major during the senior year. Complete information concerning music education program requirements can be found in the Southern Wesleyan University Music Department Handbook.

Physical Education 
The physical education program is designed to prepare teacher candidates to teach physical education, K-12. The curriculum content includes areas such as organization and administration of the physical education programs, scientific understanding of the human body and its capabilities in athletic performances, and methods of instruction for basic elementary and secondary physical education classes. Other subjects examined include techniques for the performance of sports’ skills; the development of skill tests and various methods of evaluation; and individual classes in swimming, gymnastics, rhythmic activities, and lifetime fitness activities. Physical education teacher candidates also complete professional education courses in order to meet South Carolina certification. 
 
Special Education (Multi-Categorical, Mild to Moderate Disabilities)
The Special Education program prepares the undergraduate for grades K-12 multicategorical (mild to moderate disabilities) certification in the following three areas:  emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and mental disabilities.  The teacher candidate must complete 30 hours of professional education courses and 29 hours of courses in each major to fulfill the certification standards mandated by the South Carolina Department of Education.  The teacher candidate must complete field experience requirements in all three disability areas (emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and mental disabilities) and the clinical experience requirements in two of the three disability areas. The Special Education teacher candidate will participate in an array of activities that encompass inclusion, resource, and self-contained programs within elementary, middle, and high school programs.