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Elementary Education

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Preparing Change Agents

The Education Department promotes academic excellence in the development and preparation of students to be change agents in the field of education. We desire for our graduates to be innovative teachers, experienced professionals and educational leaders, who have a commitment to the improvement and sustainability of schooling and the development of children and adolescents.

We support our students as they become critical thinkers and researchers who improve learning locally, nationally, and globally; and are committed to promoting this through the classroom environment, field-based, and experiential learning opportunities. The education department offers the following majors:


Approval Recommendation for Certification

To be recommended for Georgia certification or to receive verification of program completion by the Department of Education at Spelman College, all applicants must contact Dr. Nicole Taylor ntaylo12@spelman.edu or 404-270-5821.

GaPSC Requirements for Teacher Certification Approval

 

Contact Info

Education Department

350 Spelman Lane, S.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30310, P.O. 63
Giles Hall Building,

404-270-5601
educationdepartment@spelman.edu

Teacher Preparation Programs With Certification

Important Information to Know

Spelman College’s educator preparation programs are accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Accreditation System. The teacher preparation programs are also approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC). The national accreditation and state approvals recognize that our education programs have met national and state professional standards for the preparation of educators. In CAEP’s performance-based accreditation system, institutions must provide evidence of competent teacher candidate performance. Teacher candidates must know the subject matter they plan to teach and how to teach effectively so that all students learn.

View the CAEP Annual Reporting Measures (PDF)      College Bulletin

Programs CAEP-accredited until May 2030

The following education programs at Spelman College are CAEP-accredited until May 2030:

Elementary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades PreK-5

Secondary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades 6-12 for major programs in the following:

  • Chemistry
  • English
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • PreKindergarten - 12th Grade Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Spanish
  • and Music
Programs approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) until May 2030:

The following education programs at Spelman College are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) until May 2030:

Elementary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades PreK-5

Secondary Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Grades 6-12 for major programs in the following:

  • Chemistry

  • English

  • History

  • Mathematics

  • Physics

  • Political Science

  • PreKindergarten - 12th Grade Education: Preparation for Teacher Certification in Spanish and Music

Teacher Certification-only in our approved secondary and P-12 programs

Endorsement Programs: Urban Education

For more information on Spelman College’s state approval status, visit our profile on the GaPSC website.

Note: Students in the education department pursuing teacher certification must be admitted to the program. Students must apply for admission to a certification program (elementary education, secondary education, P-12 education) after completing EDU 206 Orientation to Education. Students who have not been admitted will not be permitted to enroll in designated certification courses.

Kappa Delta Epsilon Kappa Delta Epsilon Honor Society

Kappa Delta Epsilon Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE) is an honorary professional education fraternity for students. Its purpose is to promote the mission of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high standards of scholastic attainment, and professional ideals among its members. Juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above  are eligible for membership. Contact Dr. Andrea Lewis, alewis29@spelman.edu 404-270-5981

Elementary Education Major Requirements

Elementary Education Major Requirements for B.A. Degree

• EDU 206 Orientation to Education (4)
• EDU 301 Curriculum for Preschool and Primary Grades* (4)
• EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4)
• EDU 308 Multicultural Education* (4)
• EDU 314 Health and Physical Education Content and Methods for Preschool and Primary Grades* (4)
• EDU 316 Exceptional Children* (4)
• EDU 320 Language Arts and Social Studies Methods* (4)
• EDU 330 Science and Mathematics Methods* (4)
• EDU 338 Junior Research Seminar (2)
• EDU 346 Fine Arts Content and Methods (Art, Music)* (4)
• EDU 357 Reading—Teaching and Diagnosis* (4)
• EDU 407 Advocacy in Urban Schools* (4)
• EDU 438 Senior Thesis (2)
• EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (1)
• EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2)
• EDU 457 Student Teaching* (12)

TOTAL: 63 Credit hours for Elementary Education

 

General Education Courses that are Program Requirements for Elementary Education

• English 103/193 Composition
• English 250 Grammar for the Professions
• Mathematics 107
• Psychology 302 Child Psychology (Social Science Divisional
Requirement for Education majors only)
• Environmental Science 211 Introduction to Environmental
Sciences (Natural Science Divisional Requirement)
• History 211 or 212 Survey of American History (Humanities
Divisional Requirement)
Students admitted to the Secondary Education (Grades
6–12) teacher certification program must complete the
following seven courses in addition to the major:
• EDU 206 Orientation to Education *(4)
• EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4)
• EDU 316 Exceptional Learners* (4)
• EDU 444 Curriculum and Methods for Teaching in Secondary
Schools* (4)
• EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (3)
• EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2)**
• EDU 458 Student Teaching in Secondary Schools* (12)

TOTAL: 33 credit hours for Secondary Education

 

General Education Courses That are Program Requirements for Secondary Education
  • ENG 103/193 Composition (required for English Secondary majors only; recommended for all Teacher Certification candidates)
  • PSY 304 Adolescent Psychology (Counts as a Social Science Divisional Requirement for Secondary Education students)
Students admitted to the Pre K – Twelfth Grade (Pre K–12) Education teacher certification preparation program must complete the following seven courses in addition to the major:

  • EDU 206 Orientation to Education* (4)
  • EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4)
  • EDU 316 Exceptional Learners* (4)
  • EDU 443 Curriculum and Methods for Teaching Preschool
  • through Twelfth Grade* (4)
  • EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (3)**
  • EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2)
  • EDU 459 Student Teaching in Pre K – Twelfth Grade* (12)
TOTAL: 33 credit hours for Pre K–12 Education
This general education course is also a program require
ment for Pre K–12 Education:
  • PSY 304 Adolescent Psychology (Counts as a Social Science
    Divisional Requirement for Pre K–12 Education students)

 

What Can I Do With This Major?

  • Non-classroom positions within the school system
  • Youth services worker
  • Coordinator for after school program
  • Academic advisor or counselor
  • Social entrepreneur
  • Manager of special projects at an educational non-profit
  • Program coordinator
  • Family support specialist
  • Advocacy and community engagement coordinator
  • Youth advocate
  • With post-graduate education: guidance counselor, curriculum developer, speech language pathologist, child life specialist

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