Elementary Education (Grades K-6)

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) under NCATE Standards (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education).

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.

 

Admission

In addition to general admissions requirements, admission to this degree program requires applicants to have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or have a GPA in the top 50th percentile for coursework completed during the most recent two years of the applicant’s general education, whether secondary or post-secondary.

Admission to the Bachelor of Science K-6 degree program requires the following:

1. Complete and submit the Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee. 

2. Submit an official high school transcript. With official transcripts, submit a copy of your Immunization Records. 

3. Applicants are also asked to provide official and complete score reports from the Praxis Core exam and/or test results from the SAT or ACT demonstrating mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write and compute. This is to provide the College of Education with data that can satisfy national program accreditation requirements.

NOTE: These test scores will NOT affect admissions decisions, but are used to comply with program approval and accreditation standards.

It is important for candidates to identify Wilmington University as an official score recipient. This enables scores to be sent directly, confidentially, and electronically. Otherwise, candidates must provide original copies of all official score reports. For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to www.ETS.org. Visit College Board to have SAT or ACT scores sent to Wilmington University.

4. Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor to discuss program requirements and expectations.

After completing all of the above, register for EDU 102 (E-Folio) and EDU 203 (Instructional Technology for Educators. EDU 102 is a prerequisite for all other courses in the program.

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.

Content Assessment

By regulation, “Where a content readiness exam is applicable and available in area, subject, or category of specialization sought, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score on an examination as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with concurrence of the State Board.”

The assessments and minimum test score requirements established by the Delaware Department of Education for this degree program and for K-6 certification are:

ETS test #5001, Elementary Education Multiple Subjects

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

Test Score
#5002 Reading and Language Arts Subtest 157
#5003 Mathematics Subtest 157
#5004 Social Studies Subtest 155
#5005 Science Subtest 159

OR

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

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

 
Test Score
#7802 Reading and Language Arts Subtest 157
#7803 Mathematics Subtest 157
#7804 Social Studies Subtest 153
#7805 Science Subtest 159

 OR 

ETS test #7811, Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (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 Social Studies Subtest 144
#7815 Science 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.

Performance Assessment

The State of Delaware requires that new teachers achieve a passing score on a state-approved performance assessment in order to be fully licensed. The assessment selected by Wilmington University to satisfy this requirement is the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT). The PPAT is administered and scored by ETS. Completing this assessment is a student teaching requirement. Candidates must check with their program advisors or program chairs to obtain current and accurate information related to the assessments and minimum scores that are required.

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 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.

Teacher candidates must pass (using Delaware minimum score requirements) all four sections of PRAXIS II, test #5001 (Elementary Education Multiple Subjects), prior to receiving a student teaching/internship placement. The Praxis II Content Knowledge test must be taken by EDU 391, Practicum II and passed prior to EDU 451, Student Teaching/Teaching Internship as a condition of entry into EDU 451.


Teacher candidates must designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients at the time the tests are taken, and also provide a paper copy of the ETS score report that includes all scores and sub-scores. COMPLETE score reports must be received by the College of Education main office, located in the Peoples Building at the New Castle site.

Fieldwork Requirements

Practicum Courses (Practicum I, II, III)

 

Each of these three courses require 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 actually 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. Candidates are not permitted to seek or make arrangements 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-12 school setting, teacher candidates must complete the Practicum Fieldwork application in Taskstream by the deadlines of February 1 for placement in Fall and August 1 for placement in Spring.  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.

 

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 Advisor, Chair or Assistant Chair for more information.

 

Teacher candidates must apply to the Office of Clinical Studies for a Student Teaching/Internship placement for the Fall semester by February 1 or for the Spring semester by August 1. Student Teaching/Teaching Internship applications are to be submitted electronically in Taskstream. 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.

 

Placement and registration requirements include the following: Passing scores on the relevant PRAXIS II exam, a 3.0 grade point average, a completed application in Taskstream 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 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 make arrangements for their own placements.

 

Curriculum

General Education Requirements (48 credits)

CTA 206Computer Applications

3

OR

FYE 101First Year Experience Seminar

3

ECO 105Fundamentals of Economics

3

MAT 201Mathematics for Teachers I

3

MAT 202Mathematics for Teachers II

3

MAT 304Mathematics for Teachers III

3

PHI 100Introduction to Critical Thinking

3

BIO 251Biology I (with Lab)

4

ENV 305Earth Science (with Lab)

4

SCI 307Physical Science (with Lab)

4

ENG 121English Composition I

3

ENG 122English Composition II

3

ENG 320Advanced Composition

3

HIS 302Social Studies for Elementary Teachers

3

HIS 316American History

3

POL 300American Politics

3

Fine Arts Requirements (6 credits)

Select 2 courses from:

ART 101Art Appreciation 1

3

ART 210Basic Design

3

ART 301Drawing and Painting

3

ART 302Drawing

3

ART 304Painting

3

ART 315Watercolor Painting

3

DRA 105Introduction to the Theater

3

DRA 110Acting

3

DSN 110Fundamentals of Drawing

3

MUS 101Music Appreciation

3

TEC 215Basic Photography

3

Behavioral Science Core (6 credits)

PSY 333Psychology of the Exceptional Child

3

PSY 336Child Development

3

Education Core (48 credits)

EDU 102E-Folio

0

EDU 203Instructional Technology

3

ECE 214Creating Environments for Learning

3

EDU 304Health and Physical Education

3

EDU 310Applied Behavior Analysis and Classroom Culture

3

EDU 311Assistive Technology

3

EDU 204Leadership and Collaboration

3

EDU 314Instructional Strategies in Elementary Education

3

EDU 315Learner Development and Numeracy

3

EPY 201Development and Implementation of IEPs

3

EPY 402Learning Differences and Assessment of Exceptional Children

3

RDG 203Learner Development and Early Literacy

3

RDG 308Diagnosis and Correction of Learning Differences in Reading

3

EDU 402Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Language Arts/Reading

3

EDU 403Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Social Studies

3

EDU 404Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Science

3

EDU 405Integrated Methods to Teaching Elementary Math

3

Clinical Components (15 credits)

EDU 390Practicum I

1

EDU 391Practicum II

1

EDU 392Practicum III

1

EDU 451Student Teaching

9

EDU 452Performance Assessment

3

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.