Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science Programs in Education

The Department of Education is committed to a broad and integrated liberal arts core as a foundation for teachers at all levels. Through this curriculum, prospective teachers (a) acquire the essential skills of analytical thought and self-expression, (b) gain and integrate knowledge in various disciplines, (c) acquire an understanding of other cultures and other times, (d) develop an awareness of the various facets of moral and ethical problems, and (e) achieve a high degree of professional fulfillment.  To complement this core, a sequence of professional courses allows prospective teachers to (a) gain general and specialized knowledge in one or more content areas, (b) gain knowledge about past and current theories of education, (c) develop a thorough knowledge of child growth and developments, and (d) develop the appropriate skills for effective classroom teaching.

Statement of Purpose
Complemented by a liberal arts education in a Catholic setting, the professional education unit of Mount St. Mary's University develops educators who are proficient in content and pedagogy, reflective, and ethical professionals dedicated to leadership in an increasingly diverse technological and global society.

Outcomes
Mount St. Mary’s develops educators who are able to

• demonstrate the content and pedagogical knowledge, skills and dispositions to effect student learning (proficient)
• examine learning to shape their practice (reflective)
• demonstrate commitment to the diversity, dignity, equality and rights of the individual (ethical)
• demonstrate leadership as active participants in the education community (leading)
• respond to the demands of an increasingly diverse technological and global society (adaptive)

Programs culminate in the earning of a Mount St. Mary's degree. As all Mount education programs are approved by the MSDE, successful completion of all program requirements leads to certification to teach in Maryland and states with reciprocity agreements with the MSDE. Review of programs is the responsibility of the education department in concert with the MSDE, the Content Area Advisory Committee and the Professional Development School Coordinating Councils.

The Mount St. Mary's University Title II report, as required by federal law, can be found in Appendix I.

NOTE: Admission to Mount St. Mary’s does not automatically guarantee admittance to and retention in the programs in teacher education.

Courses in the Mount’s Department of Education are described here.

Important Notices Concerning the Elementary Education Program

Requirements for teacher internship:

1. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.
2. Recommendation of the Education Advisory Committee. There is a fee of $200 for the Internship I program, generally payable upon registration for the first course in Internship I. There is a fee of $250 for Internship II, generally payable upon registration for the first course in Internship II. Students must arrange their own transportation to internship placements and assignments.

Program completion and certification:
Only program completers may obtain teacher certification. A program completer is the teacher candidate who has completed all program requirements, including the submission of official passing Praxis II scores for the state of Maryland. It is imperative that students designate Mount St. Mary’s University and the MSDE as score recipients. For specific details about seeking Maryland certification, consult the Maryland State Department of Education Certification Branch (www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/certification).

Professional Development School (PDS)
A Professional Development School (PDS) is a collaboratively planned and implemented partnership for the academic and clinical preparation of teacher candidates and the continuous professional development of both school system and institution of higher education faculty. The focus of a PDS partnership is improved student performance through research-based teaching and learning.

The university enjoys a long-standing PDS partnership with elementary, middle and high schools in Frederick County, Md. It is possible, but not mandatory, that early field experiences take place in one of the Mount’s PDS sites. However, the standards for Maryland PDSs hold that all teacher candidates are provided equitable access to an extensive internship (at least 100 consecutive days) in a PDS. The Mount’s field placement coordinator, working in concert with the PDS coordinator and building principals, arranges internship placements in PDSs. A mentor teacher and university supervisor support candidates’ professional development toward meeting the Mount’s benchmarks. Upon graduation, students are expected to demonstrate standards-based teaching that is measured through evaluation of teaching performance and portfolio assessment. The department uses the standards of the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) for evaluating student performance. Teacher candidates are also expected to demonstrate the personal dispositions that relate to successful teaching.

Technology
Mount St. Mary’s University emphasizes the integration of technology into teaching as outlined by Maryland Teacher Technology Standards (MTTS). Coursework models best practice in uses of technology as tools to enhance student learning.

Support Services for Education Students
The Curriculum Resource Center, located in the Phillips Library, offers all education students a compendium of print materials to be used in elementary and secondary field experiences and teacher internship.

The Media Center, located in the Knott Academic Center, is a support system utilized by all education students in conjunction with their field experiences and teacher internship.

The Education Computer Lab, located in the Knott Academic Center, is designated primarily for teacher education majors. Students have the opportunity to preview and evaluate software as well as incorporate computer technology in all phases of teaching and learning.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION MAJOR
The program in elementary education is designed to prepare students to teach language arts, social studies, mathematics and science in grades 1-6. This Maryland-approved program meets certification requirements in other states. Students are advised, however, to consult certification requirements in states of interest early in their study.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION WITH DUAL CERTIFICATION IN ELEMENTARY AND SPECIAL EDUCATION
The dual certification major enables students to follow a combined program that leads to a dual major and certification in elementary education (grades 1-6) and generic special education (grades 1-8). The program closely follows the requirements and sequence of the single elementary education major, including the core curriculum and the internship requirements. In addition to a modified dual internship, students must take the following classes to attain special education certification: SPED 339, 411, 433, 434, 480. Note: some of these courses require full-day field experiences.

Additions to Mount Core
The teacher education program requires coursework that provides depth and breadth of knowledge needed for successful elementary education teachers. Therefore, education majors will be expected to take courses in addition to the university core courses. These courses are listed in the Mount Core Curriculum section.

Required Education Major Courses

¹Lower-level prerequisites for these courses must be completed before registration.