Education Concentration

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The concentration in Education prepares students to enter the field of teaching. The concentration has two tracks: 1. the traditional student-teaching (licensure) track leading to North Carolina Teaching Licensure in English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Latin, French, or Spanish; and 2. the interdisciplinary track designed for students who are interested in education but not currently interested in pursuing teaching licensure—these students might be preparing for graduate school, for teaching at an independent school where licensure is not required, or for obtaining a lateral-entry position in a discipline for which Davidson does not offer licensure (e.g., Art, German, Music, Russian, Theatre).

Requirements:

Licensure Track

Students should meet with the Chair of the Education Department during their first year to plan their schedules and discuss application procedures.

1. Before the final semester of the senior year, four courses with a grade of “C” or highter:

2. Prior to student-teaching

achieve designated minimum scores on the Praxis 1 series or minimum scores on the SAT,
earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.5,
provide recommendations from the Dean of Students, the departmental advisor, and one other faculty member regarding the student’s interest and suitability for teaching; and
be approved by the Teacher Education Committee.

3. In the final semester of the senior year

complete the student teaching block by taking the following courses concurrently:

Interdisciplinary Track

Completion of six courses with a grade of “C” or higher: two required and four elective. No more than two courses from student’s major.

1. Theory

EDU 121 - History of Educational Theory and Practice

2. Field Placement

EDU 302 - Field Placement in Education

In the final semester choose four electives from the categories below.

3. Elective (At least 1 course from the following group.)

4. Elective (At least 1 course from the following group.)

5. Elective (1 course)

A 300- or 400-level course (other than an independent study) outside the departments of Education and Psychology that would be particularly valuable to students as a teacher. In order to count this course toward the concentration, students must submit an essay to the Chair of the Department of Education, demonstrating an intellectual link between this course and educational studies.

Application Procedure

The concentration in Education is administered by the Teacher Education Committee. The faculty liaison is Dr. Richard Gay. A student must submit written application to the Teacher Education Committee by the last class day of the fall semester of the junior year. The proposal must specify the courses to be used to satisfy the concentration requirements. Certification of completion of all requirements for the concentration is made by the Registrar upon the recommendation of the Teacher Education Committee.