Education Curriculum
Bridgewater College provides a state-approved teacher preparation program for elementary and secondary teachers. Candidates who successfully complete our program and pass the Praxis tests and other appropriate licensure tests will be eligible to seek licensure and be certified to teach in Virginia.
Core Curriculum for the Teacher Preparation Program
Candidates, regardless of major or endorsement area, will be required to complete each of the following education courses with a minimum grade of C.
Courses
- EDUC 140: Introduction to Foundations of American Education
- EDUC 200: Psychology of Education and Development
- EDUC 201: Field Experience I (taken concurrently with EDUC 215)
- EDUC 215: Diversity in the Classroom
- EDUC 302 Field Experience II (taken concurrently with EDUC 334/335)
- EDUC 303 Field Experience III (taken concurrently with EDUC 370)
- EDUC 304 Field Experience IV (taken concurrently with EDUC 406 or EDUC 412)
- EDUC 316: Strategies for Teaching Math1
- EDUC 330: Early Literacy1
- EDUC: 332: Intermediate Literacy1
- EDUC 334: Reading in the Content Area2
- EDUC 370: Classroom Management
- EDUC 380: Practicum in Current Teaching Techniques
- EDUC 406: Curriculum and Instruction for the Elementary Classroom (pK-6 endorsement)*
- EDUC 412: Curriculum and Instruction for the Secondary Classroom (6-12 endorsement)
- EDUC 450 Seminar in Educational Philosophies
- EDUC 460: Professional ESL Student Teaching for Secondary (6-12)
- EDUC 465: Professional Student Teaching for Elementary Dual Endorsement
- EDUC 470 Professional Student Teaching
1Required for pK-6 endorsements only.
2These classes are not required for music majors.
*Note that candidates in Music Education and Health & Physical Education take their methods courses within their major.
Technology Competencies
All teacher candidates must demonstrate a working knowledge of the technology competencies identified by the Virginia Department of Education and reflected in student standards of learning. The education department must certify that each student completing the teacher education program at Bridgewater College has met each of the competencies.
Those candidates entering the teacher preparation program without an extensive technology background must enroll in CIS 103: Introduction to Computing or arrange to test out of the test competencies. A minimum grade of "C" must be achieved in CIS 103.
If there are any questions or concerns about the test administration, state SOLS, or the technology competencies, please contact the director of teacher education.
Professional Student Teaching Semester
During the senior year, candidates will enroll in the professional student teaching experience that consists of student teaching for the entire semester.
Other Information
When you visit the Bridgewater College campus, please come by the education department on the third floor of Flory Hall. We look forward to meeting you and providing you with more information.
Explore options for a major and think of the disciplines you enjoy. Members of the education department faculty may also be able to introduce you to majors that will complement your career objectives.
Transfer candidates should meet with the director of teacher education, upon arrival at Bridgewater College in order to plan their course sequence.
