Department of Teacher Education

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Department Head: Royce Zant
Faculty: Anthony, Calais, Cass, Duarte, Duhon, Faulk, Fetter, Haj-Broussard, Henny, Howe, Hurst, King, Leder, McLemore, Misik, Mondy, Morris, Powers, Sesalem, White

The purpose of the Department of Teacher Education is to prepare students to fulfill their role in the teaching profession; encourage the continued professional preparation of school personnel; assist school personnel through advisory and consultative services; encourage research and the development of new knowledge for the improvement of educational practice; and prepare special educators committed to developing the highest educational and quality of life potential of exceptional children and youth.

Philosophy

The development of an effective teacher involves the process of acquiring skills that will promote life-long learning. In keeping with the University’s mission of providing learning opportunities, enhancing intellectual, civic, and cultural well-being, and improving the quality of life, the faculty strives to:

• Enable the candidate to prepare for the roles of leadership and participation in the community by developing appropriate knowledge, skills and dispositions;
• Assist the candidate in acquiring an enriched background, depth of specialization, and breadth of knowledge necessary for teaching all students;
• Help the candidate master techniques for adapting and applying instructional content, resources and strategies to respond to cultural, gender, linguistic, learning, and socioeconomic differences; 
• Provide the candidate with knowledge of principles of human growth and development and how to apply these principles to student learning;
• Encourage the candidate to acquire a sense of loyalty and service to the profession;
• Develop within the candidate a desire for continuous self improvement;
• Model the belief that all students can learn and succeed regardless of his or her ethnic, racial, gender, socioeconomic, language and/or religious background; and
• Develop abilities to utilize state, professional and institutional standards related to assessment.

In all of these areas, the McNeese Teacher Education program is committed to “Excellence with a Personal Touch.” The intent of the Department is to produce educators who participate in educational and community environments in a manner that contributes to the cultural and intellectual advancement of all members of the community.

Curricula

The Department offers the following degree programs:

1. A curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education—Grades PK-3 designed to meet the needs of students preparing to teach nursery through grade three.
2. A curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education—Grades 1-5 designed to meet the needs of students preparing to teach grades one to six.
3. A curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Special Education, General, with concentrations in Mild-Moderate Impairments, Mild-Moderate Impairments/Elementary Education, and Mild-Moderate Impairments/Secondary Education.

The department head will assign faculty advisors to assist interested students in developing individual degree plans. Special Education majors selecting the Early Interventionist Concentration (single major) will be certified to teach exceptional children, birth to age nine. Special Education majors selecting the Early Interventionist/Elementary/Early Childhood Education Concentration (double major) will be certified to teach exceptional children, birth to age five and regular education kindergarten through 8th grade. Education 419 must be taken to add nursery school certification. Special Education majors selecting the Mild-Moderate Impairments Concentration (single major) will be certified to teach exceptional children, kindergarten through 12th grade.

Special Education majors selecting the Mild-Moderate Impairments/Elementary Education Concentration (double major) will be certified to teach the mild/moderate impaired elementary student (behavior disordered/emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, mentally disabled and orthopedically disabled) and regular education 1st through 8th grade. Special Education majors selecting the Mild-Moderate Impairments/Secondary Education Concentration (double major) will be certified to teach the mild-moderate impaired secondary student (behavior disordered/emotionally disturbed, learning disabled, mentally disabled, and orthopedically disabled) and regular education content area grades 7 through 12 (see requirements for a second teaching area under Secondary Education).

In selecting electives, a student must take into consideration the degree requirements which state that at least 40 semester hours must be earned in courses numbered above 300, and at least 12 of these hours must be in the major subject.

Students may not present a grade below “C” in their major field.

In general, freshman courses are numbered in the 100 series, sophomore courses in the 200 series, junior courses in the 300 series, and senior courses in the 400 series. Courses in the 500 and 600 series are open to graduate students only.

Students must consult their advisor regarding graduation requirements.

Note: Students interested in teacher education programs should see the department for advising. The Special Education degree is subject to redesign.

Library Science

A student majoring in education may be certified as a school librarian by completing the twenty-one (21) semester hour certification requirement in library science. For students in disciplines other than education, the prescribed courses in library science may meet requirements for other library-related occupations. Students should consult the Department of Teacher Education for information.

Graduate Studies

The Department of Teacher Education offers the following majors:

1. School Counseling, leading to the Master of Education.
2. Curriculum and Instruction leading to the Master of Education with available concentrations: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education.
3. Elementary Education Grades 1-5 leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching.
4. Secondary Education Grades 6-12 leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching.
5. Special Education Mild/Moderate Grades 1-12 leading to the Master of Arts in Teaching.
6. Special Education, Mild/Moderate leading to the Master of Education.

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