Department of Teaching and Learning

[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 primary 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 K–12 or 7–12 level should contact specific program coordinators. Teacher education programs at the K–12 level are offered in Art Education, Chinese Education, Health/Kinesiology & Physical Education, French Education, Music Education, and Spanish Education. Teacher education programs at the 7–12 level are offered in English Education, Family and Consumer Science Education, Math Education, and Social Studies Education. For more information, see initial licensure programs offered at the following link: https://uca.edu/ocs/initial-licensure-programs/.

[2.1] Honors in Teaching and Learning

Students who major in Teaching and Learning and who demonstrate exceptional ability may be invited to enter the Honors in the Major Program. For details, see Honors in the Major Program.

[2.2] Bachelor of Science in Education

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

The degree of Bachelor of Science in Education requires successful completion of 121 hours (122 hours if a math and science track), including (1) the UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements (see the UCA Core requirements) and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated courses; (2) professional education courses; (3) courses from two of the four content tracks: Language Arts, Social Studies, Mathematics, and Sciences; and (4) meet licensure requirements established by the Arkansas Department of Education.

Mathematics Pathways: First-time, first-year students majoring in Middle Level Education without Math or Science enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements. Students majoring in Middle Level Education with Math or Science enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathways and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.

Delivery of courses: With the exception of EDUC 1300, MSIT 3310, 3320, and 4325, all other professional education courses must be completed after Gate 1 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. Note that, because of the nature of middle-level licensure in Arkansas, a grade of “C” or higher is required for all professional education courses, including content track courses.

For specific course information about Middle Level Education, see https://uca.edu/academicmaps/

[2.2.1.1] Required Professional Education Core Courses:

Professional Education Core courses are used to satisfy the upper-division UCA Core requirements in Diversity, Critical Inquiry, Responsible Living, and Effective Communication. Students will take MSIT 4T90 (Internship II) to satisfy the required UCA Core capstone.

[2.2.1.2] Related Requirements:

[2.2.1.3] Content Specialty Courses (choose any 2 tracks with):

Track 1. Language Arts (18 hours):

Track 2. Social Studies (18 hours):

Track 3. Mathematics (18 hours)

Track 4. Science (18 hours*)

*Students who choose both Track 3 Mathematics and Track 4 Science must take PHYS 1401 and SCI 3410 from Track 4; however, these students are not required to take SCI 4314 since MATH 4314, a course in Track 3, includes related content. This change brings the math/science option up to 122 hours instead of 121 hours.

[2.2.2] Secondary Education

See the education major in the appropriate college and department for full program descriptions. Departments have developed academic advising maps and have made them available online: https://uca.edu/academicmaps/.

[2.2.3] Minor in Teaching and Learning

The 20-hour minor in Teaching and Learning provides the professional education courses needed by students seeking Secondary Education licensure in the following content areas: English, Family and Consumer Sciences, History/Social Studies, and World Languages. For more information, speak with your academic advisor.

Required Courses (20 hours) from the following or approved by department chair:

[2.2.4] Minor in Education for Community Engagement

The 18-hour minor in Education for Community Engagement provides a background in educational systems, human development, and equity-minded practices to help those seeking a focus on community engagement and education but not seeking teacher licensure. For more information, speak with your academic advisor.

Required Courses (18 hours) from the following or approved by department chair.

[2.2.5] Math Education Minor

The 16-hour minor in Math Education provides many of the professional education courses needed by students seeking Secondary Education licensure in mathematics. There may be other program-specific requirements in the major. For more information, speak with your academic advisor.

Required Courses (16-17 hours) from the following or approved by department chair.

[2.3] Graduate Programs

Three graduate programs are offered in the Department of Teaching and Learning. See the Graduate Bulletin and the UCA web pages for Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning, Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Gifted and Talented Program.

[3] Course Links (EDUC, MSIT)

Follow this link to EDUC course descriptions: course link.

Follow this link to MSIT course descriptions: course link.