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Elementary Education (Grades K-6), Bachelor of Science

Bachelor of Science

This program is nationally recognized by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) and is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).


THIS IS A DELAWARE LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WITH CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS. Students taking courses to satisfy certification requirements are personally responsible for verifying with the Delaware Department of Education (or the appropriate licensure/certification authority in another state) that such course work is applicable and acceptable. Students are also responsible for meeting all state-mandated testing requirements and for applying for credentials. Wilmington University has not made determinations for licensure in states outside of Delaware. For state-by-state contact information for inquiring about individual state licensure requirements, please visit NC-SARA's Professional Licensure Directory.

Content and Performance Assessment Requirements

State-approved degree programs contribute to eligibility for licensure/certification as an educator in Delaware public schools. As such, all applicants for a Delaware Initial Teaching License must meet the content and performance assessment requirements described in DE Administrative Code.

Praxis Testing Requirements 

Prior to placement for student teaching/internship in secondary education, candidates must pass three of the four subtests on the ETS test #7811, Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for licensure/certification as an elementary teacher (grades K-6). Candidates may meet the qualifying score on one of the subtest and apply for Multiple Measures.

Test takers should designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients. This enables scores to be sent directly, confidentially, and electronically to the University and to the DE Department of Education.

NOTE: Wilmington University is obligated to modify educator preparation program requirements to comply with any regulatory mandates/changes of the Delaware Department of Education.

ETS test #7811, Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT)

(All four tests are required and can be taken separately or together in one sitting)

Test Score

#7812 Reading and Language Arts Subtest

156

#7813 Mathematics Subtest

143

#7814 Science Subtest

144

#7815 Social Studies Subtest

153

Please note that state-mandated licensure/certification exams and minimum score requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education.  Any changes mandated by the Department of Education will be implemented as required by state regulation.

The College of Education and Liberal Arts at Wilmington University requires students pursuing teacher preparation degrees to take the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT) in order to qualify for program completion and degree conferral. The performance assessment is not scored by any employees of the University.  It is scored by Nationally Certified ETS Reviewers not associated with Wilmington University. Completing this assessment is a student teaching requirement.  Candidates must check with their supervisors, program advisors or program chairs to obtain current and accurate information related score expectations.

Program Requirements

Teacher candidates must register for EDU 102 E-Folio and EDU 203 Instructional Technology as the first courses in the program. These courses are prerequisites for all other education courses. 


Teacher candidates must complete all requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education K-6, including all course work and clinical experiences. The College of Education and Liberal Arts sets a required minimum grade of “C-” for all Education core courses (ECE, EDU, RDG, and EPY) and an overall cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 or higher.

Fieldwork Requirements

All fieldwork placements are arranged by the Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and placement protocols. However, final placement decisions are made by school district officials in coordination with placement specialists and are based on school and district needs and the availability of school-based mentors who are rated as highly qualified and effective. Candidates are not permitted to seek or arrange their own placements.

Practicum Courses (Practicum I, II, III)

Each of these three courses requires 60 hours of field experience in an approved school setting plus 30 hours of required seminars. Although Practicum courses only require candidates to register and pay for one (1) credit for each course, the courses are structured as three (3) credit courses. The reason for this approach is to keep the total credit hours required for the degree as low as possible and still meet state certification requirements. Otherwise, candidates would have to register and pay for an additional 6 credits. This benefit represents a tuition cost savings of more than $2,000.

All practicum placements are arranged by the Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and placement protocols. Final placement decisions are made by school district officials in coordination with the Office of Clinical Studies placement specialists. Candidates are not permitted to seek or arrange for their own placements.  The 60 hours of field experience required for each practicum will usually take place in the county where the candidate attends the seminars, although this may vary depending on availability of practicum placement classrooms.

To be considered for placement in a K-6 school setting, teacher candidates must complete the Practicum Fieldwork application in Watermark by the deadlines of February 1 for placement in Fall (September) and August 1 for placement in Spring (January).  At the time of application, a sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a recent TB/PPD (less than a year old) and a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) are required.  To be eligible for registration into Practicum III, all required Praxis exams must have been attempted.

Capstone Clinical Experience (Student Teaching/Internship)

The capstone clinical experience is a full-time, full-day, Monday through Friday, placement of 80 school days in an approved setting and in a content area/grade level that corresponds to a candidate's program concentration. A full immersion, Yearlong Residency option may also be available. Check with a Program Chair for more information.

Teacher candidates must apply to the Office of Clinical Studies for a Student Teaching/Internship placement for the Fall semester (September) by February 1 or for the Spring semester (January) by August 1. Student Teaching/Teaching Internship applications are to be submitted electronically in Watermark. Applications do NOT take the place of registering for Student Teaching/Internship. Registration and payment of all fees, including laboratory fees for Student Teaching/Internship, are still required. At the time of application, a new and sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a new TB/PPD, a completed health form, and a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) are required. For Practicum I and Student Teaching Internship (clearances submitted for Practicum I hold firm for all three Practica: I, II, and III).

Placement and registration requirements include the following: Passing and/or Qualifying scores (see above) on the relevant PRAXIS II exam, a 3.0 grade point average, completion of all teacher preparation and content coursework, and a completed application in Watermark and all required clearance items.  All placements are arranged by placement specialists in the WilmU Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and protocols. However, final placement decisions are made by school district officials in coordination with the Office of Clinical Studies placement specialists and are based on school and district needs and the availability of school-based mentors who are rated as highly qualified and effective. Candidates are not permitted to seek or arrange their own placements.

NOTE: Registration for EDU 451, Student Teaching/Internship, requires a 3.00 grade point average, successful completion of all other coursework, passing scores on all required Praxis exams, and an approved application from the Office of Clinical Studies.

Curriculum

Praxis Preparation Courses (Optional)

These zero credit courses are designed to provide teacher candidates with individualized preparation for the Praxis Elementary Exam.  Candidates may register for one or more courses at a cost of $25. each.  Teacher candidates must take the exam prior to the end of Practicum I or during their first semester.  Candidates are encouraged to take advantage of these preparation courses.  

326 Praxis Preparation in Reading/Language Arts

EDU 327 Praxis Preparation in Science

EDU 328 Praxis Preparation in Social Sciences

EDU 329 Praxis Preparation Mathematics

General Education Requirements (48 credits)

CTA 206 Computer Applications

OR

FYE 101 First Year Experience Seminar

ECO 105 Fundamentals of Economics

MAT 201 Mathematics for Teachers I

MAT 202 Mathematics for Teachers II

MAT 304 Mathematics for Teachers III

PHI 100 Introduction to Critical Thinking

BIO 251 Biology I (with Lab)

ENV 305 Earth Science (with Lab)

SCI 307 Physical Science (with Lab)

ENG 121 English Composition I

ENG 122 English Composition II

ENG 320 Advanced Composition

HIS 302 Social Studies for Elementary Teachers

HIS 316 American History

POL 300 American Politics

Fine Arts Requirements (6 credits)

Select 2 courses from:

ART 101 Art Appreciation 1

ART 203 Non-Western Art

ART 210 Basic Design

ART 301 Drawing and Painting

ART 302 Drawing

ART 304 Painting

ART 315 Watercolor Painting

COM 431 Media and Society

DRA 105 Introduction to the Theater

DRA 110 Acting

DSN 210 Basic Photoshop

DSN 110 Fundamentals of Drawing

HIS 230 History of Art and Design

MUS 101 Music Appreciation

SPA 301 Practical Spanish I

TEC 215 Basic Photography

Behavioral Science Core (6 credits)

PSY 333 Psychology of the Exceptional Child

PSY 336 Child Development

Education Core (48 credits)

 

EDU 102 E-Folio

EDU 203 Instructional Technology

ECE 214 Creating Environments for Learning

EDU 304 Health and Physical Education

EDU 310 Applied Behavior Analysis and Classroom Culture

EDU 311 Assistive Technology

EDU 204 Leadership and Collaboration

EDU 314 Instructional Strategies in Elementary Education

EDU 315 Learner Development and Numeracy

EPY 201 Development and Implementation of IEPs

EPY 402 Learning Differences and Assessment of Exceptional Children

RDG 203 Learner Development and Early Literacy

RDG 308 Diagnosis and Correction of Learning Differences in Reading

EDU 402 Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Language Arts/Reading

EDU 403 Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Social Studies

EDU 404 Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Science

EDU 405 Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Math

Clinical Components (15 credits)

EDU 390 Practicum I

EDU 391 Practicum II

EDU 392 Practicum III

EDU 451 Student Teaching

EDU 452 Performance Assessment

EDU 452 must be taken in conjunction with EDU 451 Student Teaching

Transfer Credits: Accreditation requires our program to collect data on student performance in a variety of courses. For that reason, students will not be able to transfer in courses to cover the following coursework.

EDU 203, EDU 204, EDU 308, EDU 310, EDU 311 EDU 315, EDU 390, EDU 391, EDU 392, EDU 402, EDU 403, EDU 404, EDU 405, EDU 407, EDU 408, EDU 409, EDU 410, EDU 451, EDU 452, EPY 402, RDG 308

Certification

This is a state-approved degree program which contributes to eligibility for a State of Delaware Initial Teaching License and Certification as an elementary teacher, Grades K-6 (EPY 201, EDU 310, EDU 311, EPY 402, and RDG 308).  The program also includes all the coursework necessary for Delaware certification as a Special Education teacher in all subjects Grades K-6.  To qualify for the additional certification in Special Education, candidates need to take and pass ETS Praxis II Exam #5354, Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications.  The minimum score requirement for Delaware is 151. 

It is highly recommended that candidates obtain certification in special education, as this is required by many schools and school districts.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2023-2024 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2022 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.