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Department of Teaching and Learning

Associate Professor and Chair: Dr. Benson, 852-2963
Professors: Dr. Gallavan, Dr. Phelps
Associate Professor: Dr. Daniels, Dr. Whittingham, Dr. Wiedmaier
Assistant Professors: Dr. Bunn, Dr. Cotabish, Dr. Hebert, Mr. Vaughn, Dr. Wake
Clinical Instructor II: Ms, Cawein, Ms. Linn
Clinical Instructors: Ms. Fisher, Ms. Friga, Ms. Hogan, Mr. Ward

[1] Departmental Purposes

The primary purposes of the department are to (a) prepare novice teachers with entry-level skills that will allow them to develop into competent professionals and reflective decision makers, (b) prepare experienced professionals with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to assume leadership roles in schools and other agencies and organizations whose principal functions relate to P-12 schooling, (c) provide service to agencies and organizations that interface with P-12 schools and the preparation of teachers and other educators, and (d) advance the knowledge and practice of teaching and schooling through scholarly and creative activities.

[2] Curricula

Programs within the Department of Teaching and Learning include middle-level education and specific courses for secondary education licensure. The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree in Middle Level Education (4-8).

Candidates interested in teaching at the 7-12 level should contact specific program coordinators whose telephone numbers are listed under Secondary Education on UCA’s home page. Teacher education degrees at the secondary level are offered in Art Education, English Education, Family and Consumer Science Education, Health/Kinesiology & Physical Education, French Education, Math Education, Music Education, Science Education, Spanish Education, and Social Studies Education.

[2.1] The Honors Program

To earn an honors degree, the following conditions must be met:

  1. Consent of the chair of the department
  2. 3.00 grade point average on all work attempted
  3. Successful completion of a special problems course

[2.2] Bachelor of Science in Education

[2.2.2] Middle-Level  Education, Grades 4-8

The undergraduate program in middle level education is designed to prepare teachers to work effectively in middle-level grades. Program goals include (a) delivering a program that models middle-school philosophy through the use of flexible scheduling, teaming, and interdisciplinary teaching; (b) preparing middle-grades teachers who can design and deliver developmentally responsive curriculum based on theory, research, and reflective decision making; (c) providing experiences that enhance candidates’ ability to “think like a teacher” (e.g., case discussions, problem-based learning, field experiences, reflective journals); (d) providing candidates extensive field-based experiences in school and community sites; and (e) preparing middle-level educators who are competent, caring, and qualified.

Candidates interested in pursuing a major in middle-level education must choose one of the following tracks: Language Arts/Social Studies or Mathematics/Natural Sciences. Candidates who successfully complete one of these tracks and meet requirements established by the state of Arkansas will be eligible to seek an initial teacher’s license through the Arkansas Department of Education.

Delivery of courses (both tracks): With the exception of EDUC 1300, 1240, and 3309, MSIT 3310, 3220, and 4325, all professional education requirements must be completed after admission to the teacher education program. Also, several of the content courses in the Language Arts/Social Studies track and Mathematics/Natural Sciences track must be taken after admission to the teacher education program. Several professional education and content courses are scheduled to form blocks, and these courses must be taken together. Consult with the program coordinator for details.

Due to the nature of middle level licensure in Arkansas, a grade of C or higher is required for all coursework included in the Mathematics/Natural Sciences Track and the Language Arts/Social Studies Track.

Mathematics/Natural Sciences Track

General Education: Requires completion of the general education component which includes WRTG 1310, 1320, HED/KPED 1320, and SPCH 1300. In addition, the following courses should be selected from those categories that provide options because these courses fulfill both general education and program requirements: ART 2300, MUS 2300, or THEA 2300; BIOL 1400; ENGL 2305 or 2306; 2370 or 2380; GEOG 1305; HIST 1310, 1320, 2301 or 2302; PHYS 1400; PSCI 1330; MATH 1390.

Related requirement: ENGL 3335, HIST 4355, WRTG 3340.

Concentration in Mathematics and Natural Sciences (47 hours including 11 hours taken as part of general education): In addition to the courses specified for general education, the following courses are required: CHEM 1400; MATH 3351, 3354, 3364, 4320, 4335; SCI 3410, 3420, 4420; MATH/SCI 4414.

Professional Education: EDUC 1300, 1240 or Competency Test, 3309, 3321, 4210; MSIT 3310, 3220, 4305, 4320, 4325, 4411, 4612, 4613.

Language Arts/Social Studies Track

General education: Requires completion of the general education component which includes WRTG 1310, 1320; HED/KPED 1320, and SPCH 1300. In addition, the following courses should be selected from those categories that provide options because these courses fulfill both general education requirements and program requirements: ART 2300, MUS 2300, or THEA 2300; BIOL 1400; ECON 1310; ENGL 2305 or 2306; 2370 or 2380; HIST 1310, 1320, 2301; MATH 1390; PHYS 1400; PSCI 1330.

Related requirement: Math 3351 and 3364.

Concentration in Language Arts/Social Studies: In addition to the courses specified for general education, the following courses are required: ENGL 2312 or 2313, 3320, 3335, and an upper division literature elective (see options below); GEOG 1305; HIST 2302, 2320, 4355; MATH 4335; SCI 3430, WRTG 3340.

Upper division literature electives:

ENGL 3371, 3372, 4343, 4344, 4372, 4373, 4374, 4375, 4301, 4305, 4311, 4312, 4313, 4320, 4321, 4342, 4352, 4353, 4330, 4331, 4340 or 4341.

Professional Education: EDUC 1300, 1240 or Competency Test, 3309, 3321, 4210; MSIT 3310, 3220, 4305, 4310, 4320, 4325, 4411, 4612, 4613.

Middle Level Algebra I Endorsement

The Algebra I Endorsement for grade 8 requires a program of study consisting of fifteen (15) hours of mathematics (excluding the six (6) semester hours that has traditionally been identified for elementary and early childhood teachers). In addition to the program of study, successful completion of the Praxis II: Middle School Mathematics exam is also required. Specific information regarding the appropriate license to which this endorsement may be added and the course of study required is available from the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience, Licensure Office (Mashburn 119 or 501-450-3131).

Grades 5-6 Endorsement

Teachers licensed in P-4 Early Childhood Education or in 7-12 Math, English, Social Studies or Science, may add an endorsement that allows them to teach grades 5-6. The program of study consists of nine (9) graduate hours. A specific Praxis II exam is required to be recommended for this endorsement. Specific information regarding the course of study and the requisite Praxis II examination required is available from the Office of Candidate Services and Field Experience, Licensure Office (Mashburn 119 or 501-450-3131).

[2.2.2] Secondary Education

See the education major in the appropriate college and department for full program descriptions. Departments have developed plans of study and have made them available on-line: program completion plans.

[2.3] Graduate Programs

Two graduate programs are offered in the Department of Teaching and Learning. See the Graduate Bulletin or UCA home page for Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning and the Master of Arts in Teaching.

[3] Courses in Business/Marketing Technology Education (BMTE)

Note: Effective with the fall semester 2003, the prefix BMTE replaced BMED.

Follow this link to BMTE course descriptions: course link.

[4] Courses in Education (EDUC)

Follow this link to EDUC course descriptions: course link.

[5] Courses in Middle/Secondary Education (MSIT)

Follow this link to MSIT course descriptions: course link.

[6a] Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) Degree Alignment with Middle Level Language Arts/Social Studies (LA/SS) Degree Plan

Click here to follow the link for the AAT/Middle Level LA/SS program alignment: [Dead link removed 2015-11-21; consult the Department of Teaching and Learning.]

[6b] Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) Degree Alignment with Middle Level Mathematics/Science (M/S) Degree Plan

Click here to follow the link for the AAT/Middle Level M/S program alignment: [Dead link removed 2015-11-21; consult the Department of Teaching and Learning.]