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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/or teaching experience requirements, and for applying for credentials.

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
Reading and Language Arts Subtest 157
Mathematics Subtest 157
Social Studies Subtest 155
Science Subtest 159

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 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

HIS 300 World and Regional Geography

HIS 320 Global Civilizations

HIS 316 American History

POL 300 American Politics

Fine Arts Requirements (6 credits)

Select 2 courses from:

ART 101 Art Appreciation 1

ART 210 Basic Design

ART 245 The Art of Photography

ART 301 Drawing and Painting

ART 302 Drawing

ART 304 Painting

ART 310 Exploring Art Media

ART 315 Watercolor Painting I

DRA 105 Introduction to the Theater

DRA 110 Acting

DSN 110 Fundamentals of Drawing

MUS 101 Music Appreciation

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.