Burton College of Education

Wayne Fetter, Dean

The Burton College of Education consists of the following departments: Education Professions, Health and Human Performance, and Psychology. The Office of Student Teaching and Professional Education Services, the Office of Graduate Programs in Education, the Curriculum Materials Center, and the Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education are also located in the Burton College of Education.

Teacher education programs in the Burton College of Education are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and approved by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), State of Louisiana.

Purpose

The purpose of the Burton College of Education is to prepare students to fulfill their roles 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 contribute to the cultural and intellectual advancement to the citizens of Louisiana.

Goals

The goals of the Burton College of Education are to enable the student to develop his/her role as a teacher; prepare the student to be a leader and a participating citizen in the community; assist the student in acquiring an enriched background, depth of specialization, and breadth of knowledge necessary for teaching; help the student master techniques of guiding learners; provide the student with a knowledge of human growth and development and an appreciation of its implications for learning; encourage the student to acquire a sense of loyalty and service to the teaching profession; and to develop within the student a desire for continuous self-improvement.

Conceptual Framework

Programs of study in education are based on the premise that educators are professionals who value life-long learning and instill this value in their students. Candidates are prepared in general knowledge, professional education, and specialty studies. Critical components found throughout the program include the following strands:

• Strand One: Professionalism. Educators are caring, competent and qualified.
• Strand Two: Diversity. Educators value the differences classrooms present.
• Strand Three: Collaboration. A variety of educators contribute to learning.
• Strand Four: Reflection. Educators systemically review and evaluate themselves.

Curricula

Programs in the Burton College of Education contribute to the student’s liberal and professional education. The type of degree earned by the student depends upon choice of program in professional education. The Bachelor of Science degree is conferred upon students who successfully complete the curriculum in Secondary Education-Grades 6-12, Early Childhood Education-Grades PK-3, Elementary Education-Grades 1-5, Health and Physical Education-Grades K-12, Health and Human Performance-General, or Psychology. Students interested in teacher education programs should see the department for advising. Information concerning graduate programs in the Burton College of Education may be found in the Graduate School section of this catalog.

TEACHER EDUCATION PREPARATION

Admission and Progression through the Teacher Education Program

Admission to and progression through a Teacher Education Program is regulated by a series of Portals. Each Portal has specific prerequisites and privileges.

Click for PORTALS 

Alternate Path to Teacher Certification

Persons holding a baccalaureate degree can become certified to teach by completing alternate pathways to certification. Options such as the non-master’s certification program may be available for initial certification. For additional information, contact the Recruiter/Coordinator for Alternative Programs in the Burton College of Education.

Ann Rosteet Hurley Center for Economic Education

Dr. Tracy Scott-McLemore, Director

The Center seeks to encourage, promote, and provide a comprehensive program for increasing economic understanding at McNeese State University, in public and private schools throughout Southwest Louisiana, in the business community, and in all other interested sectors of the service area. Working with the Burton College of Education, the Center emphasizes the teaching of basic economic principles in the classroom by providing pre- and in- service training of teachers in courses, workshops, and seminars.

Reading Clinic

The McNeese Reading Clinic (held during the summer session) accepts a limited number of school children who need assistance in increasing their reading proficiency. Persons desiring the services of the Clinic for instruction should apply to the Department of Educational Professions for an appointment or for further information. The bases for selection are the results of testing and conferences with parents and school personnel conducted during the spring semester. The schedule of fees is furnished upon request.

McNeese Summer Enrichment Program

The Summer Enrichment Program, held in June and July, operates on the belief that children learn best in a healthy, secure, stimulating environment which recognizes and meets the individual needs of each child through interaction with other children, technology, the community, parents, teachers, and support personnel. Children entering kindergarten or first grade are instructed through the use of developmentally appropriate materials, which lead to creative play and higher order thinking. This program believes that cooperative learning leads to a better socialization with peers and a happier child. Academic remediation or enrichment is an integral part of the program. Registration and additional information can be obtained from the Department of Educational Professions.

Aerospace Camp

Students in grades four through seven learn fundamentals of aviation and space flight, and discover how the space program impacts our daily lives. Hands-on activities are provided in a week-long camp. Registration and additional information can be obtained from the Department of Educational Professions.

Graduate Studies

The Burton College of Education offers the Master of Arts, the Master of Arts in Teaching, the Master of Education, and the Master of Science.

The major in Psychology leads to the Master of Arts; the majors in Elementary Education Grades 1-5, and Secondary Education Grades 6-12 lead to the Master of Arts in Teaching; and the majors in Curriculum and Instruction (concentrations in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Reading, and Secondary Education), Educational Leadership, Educational Technology Leadership, Special Education (concentrations in Mild/Moderate, Educational Diagnostician, and Autism Spectrum Disorders), and School Counseling lead to the Master of Education. The majors in Health and Human Performance and Instructional Technology lead to the Master of Science.

A valid teacher’s certificate is required for each program leading to the Master of Education. Individuals having earned a teaching certificate outside the United States are required to have their credentials evaluated through AACRAO prior to acceptance into any degree program that requires a valid teaching certificate.

Teacher education programs in the Burton College of Education are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).

Information concerning graduate work in the college can be found in the Graduate School section of the Catalog.

Office of Graduate Programs in Education

 Dr. Dustin M. Hebert, Director

The Burton College of Education offers several programs of advanced study in education through the Department of Educational Professions. These programs are coordinated through the Office of Graduate Programs in Education. Through relevant and rigorous curricula and field experiences, each program prepares candidates for professional roles in P-12 education. Each program’s scope is pragmatic and specialized, blending theoretical content with practical application in curriculum, instruction, technology, counseling, and leadership in regular and special education settings.