Elementary Education (K-6 Certification)
Education students at Caldwell University actually graduate with two majors, a content major (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or World Language), AND an Education major. The content courses ensure that you know what to teach, while the education courses ensure that you know how to teach. The K-6 certification program is organized so that you can complete BOTH parts in four years, within 120 credits. Caldwell University’s School of Education offers elementary and secondary teacher certifications, and we suggest that ALL education majors also earn Teacher of the Student with Disabilities (TOSD) Certification upon graduation. Both certifications will make you that much more marketable to school districts.
Elementary teachers often teach all subjects (English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies), while secondary teachers focus on ONE content area. School of Education professors are here to assist as you begin your path toward becoming a teacher.
The School of Education offers a B.A. in Elementary Education and a B.A. in Secondary Education.
Students seeking admission to the School of Education must declare a first major in art, biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, music, psychology, social studies, or Spanish and a second major in elementary or secondary education.
Please refer to www.caldwell.edu/academics/academic-departments/department-of-education for current NJ Dept. of Education regulations.
(Student Teaching – 15 weeks)
Prior to admission into student teaching (courses ED 470 & ED 475), all students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must achieve a passing score on the appropriate Praxis examination and demonstrate successful acquisition of Caldwell University Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) claims. The NJPTS standards for Teacher Baccalaureate Pre-Service Programs are required to complete student teaching. The culminating field experience requirement in student teaching is placement in an approved school setting under the supervision of a cooperating teacher and a university supervisor. A formal application must be submitted to the Director of Field Placement according to the guidelines established by the School of Education. No additional courses will be allowed during student teaching.
Course Code : ED 206
Course Description :
This course deals with the leading historical, legal, technological, and philosophical theories in regular and special education. It is designed to help students acquire a better understanding and workable knowledge of how best to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate the essential components of curriculum. Field requirement: 9 hours.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 331
Course Description :
his course will prepare classroom teachers to effectively teach the range of students found in today's classrooms including students with disabilities, gifted students, at-risk students, and students who are culturally and linguistically diverse. Students will become aware of departments and agencies within and outside the school district that assist in meeting the needs of exceptional students. Students will understand the uses of technology with special needs students. Field requirement: 40 hours. Nursing students field requirement: 20 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED206, ED340, ED348, ED447
Co requisites :
ED340, ED348, ED447
Course Code : ED 340
Course Description :
This course provides students with knowledge of theories of the reading and writing processes, as well as strategies for effectively teaching all aspects of language arts to children in grades pre-K through five. Essentials of language arts instruction, such as emergent literacy, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and content area literacy will be explored in depth. Students will gain an understanding of lesson planning, instruction, and assessment for all learners in the early childhood and elementary classrooms. The mandatory 40-hour field experience will provide students opportunities to observe literacy instruction in an elementary classroom. Field requirement: 40 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED331, ED206, ED447
Co requisites :
ED447
Course Code : ED 447
Course Description :
This course presents a framework for technology skills development by using a problem solving approach. New media and technologies will be used as tools for hands-on exploration and integration of curriculum based projects aligned with the NJCCS and InTASC standards. The use of technology to approach content areas and meet the needs of diverse students will be emphasized, including adaptive devices for students with disabilities. Teacher candidates will evaluate their present skills and move along the continuum of stages of technology use from survival to mastery, then impact and finally, innovation.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 448E
Course Description :
This course is designed to provide an understanding of the concepts taught in elementary school mathematics. Techniques will be demonstrated to foster conceptual development in elementary school children. Mathematical concepts such as geometric thinking and algebraic thinking, and problem solving will also be explored. The essential elements of instruction, assessment, grouping strategies and effective questioning will be illustrated to effectively plan instruction for diverse learners in mathematics. An overview of the elementary mathematics curriculum will also be provided. Field requirement: 75 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED 331, ED 340 and ED 447
Course Code : ED 449E
Course Description :
This course introduces students to the understanding, skills and accepted instructional strategies that will prepare them to effectively design and implement successful social studies and science instruction at the elementary level. The scientific inquiry process, as it applies to each of the disciplines, will be introduced and incorporated into required lesson and units plans of study. Students will become familiar with NJCCCS as they apply to each of these disciplines, and will incorporate discipline-specific forms of inquiry into lesson plans, unit plans and presentations. In addition, students will become familiar with and apply technology that fosters the goals of each of the disciplines under study. Field requirement: 100 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED 448E
Course Code : ED 470
Course Description :
This course gives students the opportunity to perform all of the various duties of the regular/special classroom teacher in a school for a full semester. Practice under the guidance of a master teacher and a university supervisor strengthens the induction process of the pre-service teacher candidate. Departmental approval required, a 3.0 GPA, and a passing score on the appropriate Praxis exam are required. Testing fee required. Prerequisite: Completion of all education courses. No additional courses will be allowed during student teaching except by a waiver from the School of Education Associate Dean.
Credit : 9
Prerequisites :
ED 449E or ED 449S
Course Code : ED 475
Course Description :
This course is a coordinating seminar for regular/special education student teachers. It focuses on the art and craft of the teacher as a professional and works to support the culminating experience of the teaching internship.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
ED520, ED500E, ED500, ED449, ED500S, ED449E, ED449S
Note
Students must pass the appropriate Praxis before Student Teaching.
Additional Endorsements
Teacher of Preschool through Grade Three (PreK-3)
Course Code : ED 332
Course Description :
Students will gain an appreciation of the importance of a diverse learning environment that enhances the unique talents of each child. This course will prepare students to design an integrated curriculum that addresses the typical and atypical child. Students will study various methods of curriculum and instruction including small group, whole group, cooperative learning, collaboration, learning centers and modifications for “Inclusive” practices or self-contained special education programs. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED206
Course Code : ED 333
Course Description :
This course will explore the foundation of early childhood education from an historical perspective. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of creating a developmentally appropriate environment for children from birth through age eight that supports children’s diversity and a broad range of learning styles. Emphasis will be on utilizing core curriculum standards that support a multisensory, child centered approach with accepted traditional methods. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED206
Elementary School with Subject Matter Specialization (Grades 5-8)
K-6 requirements
Course Code : ED 348
Course Description :
This course provides students with knowledge of reading and writing in the content areas and approaches to content area instruction, as well as strategies for integrating the teaching of content with the teaching of language arts. Emphasis will be on ways to design effective, meaningful instruction that engages learners in content while building their reading and writing skills. Students will gain an understanding of lesson planning, instruction, and assessment for all learners in content area classrooms in middle and high school. The mandatory 40-hour field experience will provide students opportunities to observe instruction in a content area classroom. Field requirement: 40 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED 206, ED 331 and ED 447
Co requisites :
ED447
Course Code : PS 216
Course Group(s) : Psychology 200 Level Courses, Psychology Cluster 3
Course Description :
This course examines physiological, social, psychological, and cognitive development from the beginning to the end of adolescence. Topics include puberty and sexual development, identity, peer interaction, drug and alcohol use and abuse, suicide, and family and community interaction.
Credit : 3
Plus content area courses specified by that department.
Students must pass the appropriate Praxis for these certifications before Student Teaching.
Note: The university does not ensure that the student will complete these requirements in a four-year sequence.
Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD)
K-6 or K12 requirements
Course Code : ED 351
Course Description :
Students will develop an understanding of all types of assessments related to special education students including instruments used to determine eligibility for special education and assessment measures used in classroom situations to diagnose academic and behavioral difficulties. Students will learn to measure progress through ongoing assessment. Students will also learn assessment techniques for transition planning in order to determine the appropriate long term plan for students aging out of special education. Assessment techniques included in this course are tests of ability and achievement, rating scales, surveys and observations. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 360
Course Description :
This course teaches future special education teachers to create effective learning environments for students. Strategies to individualize instruction in academic skills, social skills, independent and self-help skills, self-management and appropriate classroom behavior will be investigated. Students who experience behavior problems that affect their learning and the learning of others will learn effective behavior management strategies to create positive classroom environments. Field requirement: 25 hours.
Credit : 3
Course Code : ED 380
Course Description :
This course will focus on developing an understanding of how to implement effective, scientifically-based reading programs and strategies for students with special needs. Students will learn to differentiate instruction and materials based on individual needs. Emphasis will be placed on appraising a student's reading difficulties and then developing and implementing a unique program for each learning disabled student and then measuring the effectiveness of the program on an ongoing basis in order to track progress. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED331, ED340, ED348
Course Code : ED 460
Course Description :
n this course, students will learn to create effective learning environments for students with disabilities in all settings. The course will introduce strategies for adapting materials, modifying curriculum and using assistive technology appropriately. Another focus of the course will be to develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful collaboration among special and general educators and parents, with particular emphasis on co-teaching methods in inclusive classrooms. Field requirement: 12 hours.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
ED331