Department of Education Course Offerings

The department of education seeks to produce not only well-trained, state-certified teachers but also concerned, compassionate individuals who value each human life and who are dedicated to helping each student fulfill his or her God-given potential. The department’s goal of teachers becoming “servant leaders” is supported by its program that emphasizes academic excellence, professional knowledge, character development, and leadership opportunities.

Students planning to teach in either the elementary or secondary school must not only meet requirements for graduation from Belhaven College but also must complete courses specified for teacher licensure.  All programs are currently being reviewed to meet new legislation by the state Department of Education. Prospective elementary teachers should major in elementary education; prospective secondary teachers should major in the subject area in which they plan to teach and minor in education.

Licenses that entitle the holder to teach in the elementary and secondary schools in Mississippi are issued by the State Department of Education, Office of Educator Licensure, Jackson, Mississippi. Applications for licensure may be secured from the dean of education.  Students who plan to teach in states other than Mississippi are responsible for securing all requirements and forms.

Courses of Study

• Elementary Education Courses
• Minor Course Requirements
• Requirements for Admittance into Teacher Ed
• Course Descriptions
• Belhaven College School of Education Institutional Standards

Download the college catalogue

Elementary Education K-6 Core Requirements

Areas of Concentration

A student must select two (2) areas of content study with a minimum of eighteen (18) hours in each area. Core courses may be counted toward areas of concentration.

(1) English
(2) Reading
(3) Mathematics
(4) Science
(5) Social Studies  
(6) Safety/Health/Physical Ed.
(7) Fine Arts
(8) Special Education

Professional and Specialty courses

The following courses reflect those required or taught in the education program.

* EDU 200 Introduction to Education
* EDU 201 Pre-Teaching Field Experience
* EDU 221 Child Development
* EDU 301 Educational Psychology
* EDU 331 Measurement and Evaluation
* REA 311 Literature Based Reading Skills
* REA 312 Critical Reading Skills in Literature
* REA 323 Literacy I
* REA 324 Literacy II
* REA 326 Diagnostic Reading
* HPE 341 Health, Physical Education for the Elementary Child  
* EDU 303 The Language Arts and Skills
* EDU 304 Social Sciences for Children
* EDU 307 Science and HPE for Children
* EDU 308 Mathematics for Children
* EDU 332 Methods in Elementary Education
* EDU 333 Computers in Education
* EDU 395 Internship
* EDU 400-401-402 Directed Teaching in the Elementary School
* EDU 406 Classroom Management
     * Required Elementary Education

Minor Course Requirements

Students wishing to minor in education should complete all major requirements and the following courses in education.

Professional and Specialty courses

The following courses reflect those required for a minor education.

EDU 200 Introduction to Education
EDU 201 Pre-Teaching Field Experience
EDU 231 Adolescent Development
EDU 301 Educational Psychology
EDU 331 Measurement and Evaluation
EDU 333 Computers in Education
PSY 342 Psychology of the Exceptional child
REA 325 Content Reading Skills
EDU 351 Methods in Secondary Teaching
EDU 395 Internship
EDU 403-404-405 Directed Teaching in the Secondary School
EDU 406 Classroom Management

Requirements for Admittance into Teacher Ed

Admission to Belhaven College Does Not Automatically Admit One to Teacher Education.

Admission to Teacher Education:
The student must complete 44 hours of the core, have an overall GPA of 2.5, and meet the required score on the PRAXIS or ACT (or the current state-required test). Basic professional courses may be taken prior to being admitted to teacher education. No courses listed under the specialized area may be taken until a student has been admitted to teacher education. Students should obtain a passing score on the state-required test, Principles of Learning and Teaching, prior to enrolling in student teaching. Students should complete requirements in the subject area assessment test prior to graduation.

Additional Degree Requirements - Transfer Credits:
Students transferring to Belhaven are required to take at least nine hours in education at Belhaven, excluding student teaching. Students are required to take Methods in Teaching at Belhaven. All students must have at least a C average in all professional and speciality area courses.

Belhaven College School of Education Institutional Standards

Academic Excellence 

1. The candidate utilizes knowledge of content in creating learning opportunities that makes subject matter meaningful and useful and promotes the growth and development of all students. 

Professional Knowledge

2. The candidate designs and manages learning environments that accommodate a diverse population, provide for individual differences, and enhance student achievement.

3. The candidate selects and implements a variety of instructional methods and teaching strategies that develop students' critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.

4. The candidate determines appropriate assessment instruments and analyzes assessment data to monitor and document student learning and to improve instruction.

Leadership Opportunities

5. The candidate employs the tools of self-evaluation and reflection and utilizes available resources to support professional growth and to promote school improvement.

Character Development

6. The candidate integrates the Christian worldview in building inclusive learning environments that address the needs, perspectives, and diversity among students, families, colleagues, and communities.

 

Course Descriptions

200	Introduction to Education (3). A study of the historical, philosophical, and legal foundations for education, the role of the profession of teaching and of schools in a changing society.
201	Pre-Teaching Field Experience (1).  Coreq.: EDU 200. Field experience in accredited schools provides students with observation of classroom settings representing a variety of organization, method, grade, and subject areas.
221	Child Development (3). A study of the growth and development of the individual from conception through early adolescence, with emphasis on physical, perceptual, motor, cognitive, language, personality, and social development.  Includes the use of the major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the development of children and young adolescents in order to construct learning experiences to support the individual’s development.
301	Educational Psychology (3). A study of the teaching-learning process: the student behavior, research data, theory, and illustrations all concerned with actual classroom application of psychological principles.
303	The Language Arts and Skills (3). Prereq: Admission to education . Emphasis on traditional grammar, speech, listening, written communications, creative and utilitarian writing, and on whole language integration with content areas.
304	Social Sciences for Children (3).  Prereq: Admission to education. A survey of the social sciences taught in K-8, with special attention given to geography, history, and civics.
307	Science for Children (3).  Prereq: Admission to education. The subject matter, materials, and methods of teaching science, health, and physical education in the elementary school.
308	Mathematics for Children (3). Prereq: Admission to education. An introduction to the subject matter, materials, and methods of teaching modern mathematics in the elementary school.
320	Principles of Early Childhood (3). An overview of fundamental educational principles related to early childhood issues. Designed to emphasize the history, theory, trends, principles, and curriculum pertinent to the young child.  Offered on demand.
322	Seminar in Early Childhood (3).  Prereq: EDU 320. This course is designed to assist the preschool teacher and directors in the organization and administration of facilities, personnel, developmental materials and equipment, and curriculum concerns relevant to a preschool program.  Offered on demand.
331	Measurement and Evaluation (3). Evaluation practices in schools, in preparation and use of tests and an introduction to statistical procedures.
332	Methods in Elementary Education (3). Prereq: Senior status; admission to education, semester prior to student teaching. A study of methods, techniques and procedures used in elementary and middle schools, with special emphasis on curriculum development and the Student Teacher Assessment Instrument.
333	Computers in Education (3). An introduction to computing designed specifically to explore pedagogical issues for effective use of computers in the elementary curriculum. Students develop computer literacy through a survey of basic computer hardware and software concepts and terminology.   (Non-credit for computer majors)
335	Creative Arts in the Elementary School (3). This course will provide elementary education majors the necessary skills to successfully integrate the arts (music, art, movement, and drama) into all aspects of instruction.  Emphasis will also be placed on the importance of the arts across the curriculum as a means for communication, inquiry, and insight among elementary students.  Performing arts majors may also take the course.
351	Methods in Secondary School Teaching (3). Prereq: Senior status; admission to education. A study of methods, techniques, and procedures and a survey of material for teaching secondary school subjects, emphasis on curriculum development and the Student Teacher Assessment Instrument.  The course is conducted jointly by the school of education and the individuals from the area in which students are majoring.
390	Special Topics in Education (1-3). Prereq: Admission to education. Varied topics; may be repeated for credit.
395	Internship (2). Prereq: Junior status; admission to education; coreq.: EDU 332/351. Supervised internship providing field-based experience in a major area of study.
396	Practicum in Preschool (3).  Prereq: EDU 322. This course is designed to provide a clinical experience for students to work with professionals in designing and implementing state standards of childcare. Emphasis will also be given to securing grants and working with parents. Offered on demand.
401-402-403	Directed Observation and Teaching in the Elementary School (6). Prereq: REA 323, 324, EDU 308, 332, 395; Senior status; admission to education. Teaching and observation throughout a semester in an accredited elementary or middle school, supported by seminars and conferences between students and the college supervisor. Directed Observation and Teaching in the Secondary School (6). Prereq: Senior status and EDU 351, EDU 395; admission to education.  Teaching and observation throughout a semester in an accredited secondary school, supported by seminars and conferences between students and the college supervisor.
406	Classroom Management (3). Coreq.: Enrollment in EDU 400-402 or 403-405. Emphasis on the development of strategies for establishing effective classroom organization and for managing and monitoring student behavior.
490-495	Special Topics (3). Designed for non-degree seeking students. Enrollment by consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
READING
099	Reading Excellence (3).  Institutional credit only. Three lecture hours per week.    Designed to prepare a student to comprehend college-level reading materials; does not count toward a degree.  Emphasis is on comprehension and vocabulary improvement skills as well as affective and critical reading skills.  Required for those students whose ACT reading scores are 20 or below (SAT verbal scores are 420 or below).  Course must be passed or must be repeated in the spring or fall semester immediately following first attempt.  Upon completion of REA 099, student must take REA 102.
101	Tutorial Reading Internship (1-3). This course provides basic instruction in reading strategies and tutorial procedures. Includes a directed tutorial internship.
102	College Reading and Study Skills (3). Three lecture hours per week. Designed to help students increase individual study skills required for independent reading and college-level study and research.  Emphasis is on both the development of individual reading skills and successful comprehension and analysis of reading material across various disciplines of study.  Required of those students whose ACT reading scores are 20 or below (SAT verbal scores are 420 or below) and for transfer students with a transfer GPA of C- or below for all class work.  This course does count toward the 124 hours required for graduation.
311	Literature Based Reading Skills (3). Prereq: Admission to education. The introduction of children’s books through the study of the history of children's literature with special emphasis on reading the classics, nursery rhymes, fables, fairy tales, and poetry.
312	Critical Reading Skills in Literature (3).  Prereq: Admission to education.      The development of critical reading through the study of modern literature for children and adolescents with special attention to controversial books, multi-cultural themes, and critiques of materials.
323	Early Literacy I  (3). Prereq: Admission to education. Concepts, materials and teaching strategies for oral language development and systematic early reading and writing instruction, specific to concepts about print, phonemic awareness, and phonics.
324	Early  Literacy II (3). Prereq: REA 323; admission to education. Concepts materials and teaching strategies for oral language development and early systematic reading and writing instruction specific to vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.
325	Content Reading Skills (3). Prereq: Admission to education. A study of reading skills necessary for secondary students to read and comprehend subject matter.
326	Diagnostic Reading Skills (3). Prereq: REA 323, 324; admission to education. A study of reading problems, assessment procedures, and individualized instructional programs for problem readers. Includes case study and internship in schools.
Education of the Exceptional Child (EEX) (Mildly/Moderately Disabled) Professor Rasberry, Dean of the School of Education
330	American Sign Language (3). This course is an introduction to American Sign Language. The student will develop a high degree of familiarity with and a respect for the usage of the basic principles of ASL through nonverbal communication techniques, eye training, and finger spelling. Students will be introduced to the basic patterns of American Sign Language.
344	Nature and Needs of the Mildly/Moderately Handicapped Child (3). Emphasis is placed on the social, emotional, physical, and learning characteristics of the mildly/moderately handicapped child. Theories, curriculum, and current issues presented.
346	Instructional Methods and Materials for the Exceptional Child (3). Emphasis on curriculum, instructional procedures, and components of the individualized educational plan.
348	Organization of Special Education (3). Includes referral to placement process, assessment procedures, federal, state, and local laws, financial bases, community resources, use of records, and record keeping.
349	Practicum in Special Education (3). Prereq: PSY 342 and EEX 344. Open to elementary education majors only. The student will complete clinical experience in an approved special education classroom.