Program type: Bachelor of Science

Minors / Options: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Interdisciplinary Major

The mission of the Education and Educational Psychology Department is to prepare candidates for careers as teachers, counselors, and specialized professionals committed to the continuous support and development of collaborative projects with area schools and community agencies. We embrace the broader mission of Western Connecticut State University by providing our students with a quality education by fostering their growth as individuals, scholars, professionals, and leaders in a global society.  To achieve this mission students will:

• Participate in field experiences and service in the community,
• Demonstrate academic competence in their selected fields,
• Value and infuse cultural diversity,
• Demonstrate a spirit of inquiry, the use of critical thinking skills, and the habits of the reflective practitioner, and,
• Demonstrate the ability to incorporate appropriately the use of technology in instructional practice.

1. Graduates of the program will be demonstrate and apply knowledge of content;
   1. Synthesize and apply central concepts, structures of the discipline, and tools of inquiry of the content areas; organize this knowledge, integrate cross-disciplinary skills, and develop meaningful learning progressions for elementary candidates as indicated by the design of learning segments.
2. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the ability to plan, develop, and adjust services that meet the needs of diverse learners;
   1. Understand the role of professional judgment and practical knowledge for improving all candidates’ development and achievement as indicated by performance in residency.
   2. Accurately assess and analyze candidate learning, reflecting on adjustments needed for both instruction and assessment as indicated by the impact on candidate learning.
3. Graduates of the program will demonstrate the ability to use relevant pedagogical skills and educational psychology knowledge in the planning, development, delivery and assessment of professional services in support of relevant educational goals;
   1. Use foundational knowledge to design and/or implement an integrated, comprehensive, and balanced curriculum as indicated by clinical performance in residency.
4. Graduates of the program will demonstrate professional dispositions that are consistent with the conceptual framework and in accord with professional, state, and institutional standards.
   1. Demonstrate expertise in working collaboratively with colleagues to design instruction as indicated by clinical performance in residency.

• Catalog entry for Elementary Education
• Catalog entry for Secondary Education
• Undergraduate – More Information
• School of Professional Studies