Degree Majors and Programs - B.A. Degree

Education Division

It is part of the mission of the University of the Virgin Islands to prepare teachers for the public schools who are competent both academically and professionally. Towards this end, the Education Division offers (i) majors in elementary and vocational education and (ii) preparation in secondary education for students majoring in other fields. Certification of teachers is a matter for the territorial education authorities. The University's education program, however, prepares graduates to meet certification requirements for teaching in the Virgin Islands. (Although the foreign language requirement may be met by any foreign language, Spanish is strongly recommended for those who plan to teach in the Virgin Islands).

The program for elementary majors is designed to provide (a) broad preparation in the liberal arts, (b) concentrated study in one selected academic area, and (c) professional preparation intended to produce highly effective teachers who can function successfully in a complex society — specifically the Virgin Islands — and to form a base for graduate study.

Preparation for secondary school teachers involves (i) satisfying general education requirements for the bachelor of arts degree and (ii) majoring in English, humanities, mathematics, science, or social sciences. Required professional courses are detailed below.

Admission to both the elementary and secondary programs, both of which begin with Education 250, is by application. Prospective students are urged to apply at the beginning of their sophomore year. Admission can normally be secured by the second semester of the sophomore year. In order to qualify for admission, students must complete the following courses and earn a minimum grade of "C" in each course. Criteria (b) and (c) below, must also be met:

(a) completion of the general education requirements in :
English (COM 101, COM 102, COM 201)
Science (SCI 100, 200, 301 OR SCI 100 plus two semesters of Laboratory Science)
Speech 115
Math (MAT 140, MAT 235)

(b) a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.30

(c) a pre-admission interview.

(d) must attain a passing score on the PRAXIS I Examination

Education 221 and Education 230 are open to any student meeting the prerequisites. Non-education undergraduate majors may take education courses beyond these if they have satisfied the same general education requirements contained in section (a) above. Any person holding an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution may enroll in education courses at the undergraduate level with the exception of student teaching.

Elementary education majors and persons preparing for secondary education are required to earn a minimum grade of "C" in all required education courses. (All education majors who intend to meet certification requirements for teaching in the United States Virgin Islands should complete HIS 342 as an elective).

A Master of Arts degree in Education is offered at the University. Undergraduates who wish to take graduate courses or who plan to matriculate in the graduate program after earning their undergraduate degree should meet with their advisors and consult the Graduate Bulletin.

Elementary Education Major

A. The general education requirements (courses taken to satisfy these requirements also count toward satisfaction of items C. and D. below).

B. Required Education courses

Credits

Education 221 Foundations of Education 3
Education 230 Educational Psychology 3
Education 250 Curriculum Development and Instruction 3
Education 257 Mathematics and the Elementary Teacher 5
Education 350 Instructional Design and Technology 2
Education 351 Classroom Management 2
Education 353, 354 Teaching the Language Arts 3,4
Education 450 Measurement and Evaluation in Education 2
Education 452 Student Teaching in the Elementary School 9

C.Required course(s) in Psychology:

Psychology 120 General Psychology 3

D. Required courses in Mathematics:

Mathematics 140 College Algebra with Applications
or
Mathematics 143 Precalculus Algebra 4
and one of
Mathematics 142 College Trigonometry 4
Mathematics 235 Introductory Statistics with Applications 4
Mathematics 232 Calculus for Business and Social Sciences 4

E. From one of the following areas a minimum of 18 credits are required, at least six of which must be at the 300 level or above:
English
mathematics
science
Spanish
social science (for students intending to teach in the Virgin Islands schools, the following are strongly recommended: one course in sociology, at least one course in African history and the remainder in Caribbean history and geography).

SECONDARY TEACHER PREPARATION

A. The general education requirements

B. Required Education courses:

Credits

Education 221 Foundations of Education 3
Education 230 Educational Psychology 3
Education 250 Curriculum Development and Instruction 3
Education 351 Classroom Management 2
Education 450 Measurement and Evaluation in Education 2
Education 497 Seminar in Secondary Teaching 2
Education 469 Student Teaching in the Secondary School 6

C. Required course(s) in Psychology:

Psychology 120 General Psychology 3

(The course in this section also counts toward satisfaction of the general education requirements).

D. Requirements in the Major

Vocational Education Major*

A. The following Vocational Education courses are required:

Credits

Vocational Education 300 Principles of Vocational Education 3
Vocational Education 360 Occupational and Job Analysis 3
Vocational Education 361 Course Materials for Vocational
Education 3
Vocational Education 370 Shop and Laboratory Management 3
Vocational Education 400 Teaching Process in Vocational Education 3
Vocational Education 401 Instructional Aids in Vocational Education 3
Vocational Education 402 Student Organizations in Vocational Education 2
Vocational Education 461 Advisory Committee and Accountability 2
Vocational Education 462 Curricula for Technical and Trade Education 3
Vocational Education 463 Evaluation for Vocational Education 3
Vocational Education 471 Innovative Teaching in Vocational Education 3

* The Vocational Education program is suspended until further notice.

B. The following Education courses are required:

Education 221 Foundations of Education 3
Education 250 Curriculum Development and Instruction 3
Education 469 Student Teaching in the Secondary School 6
Education 497 Seminar in Secondary Teaching 2

C. Required courses in Psychology:

Psychology 120 General Psychology 3
Education 230 Educational Psychology 3

D. The student is required to satisfy the general education requirements for the bachelor of arts degree. Courses under C. count toward satisfaction of these requirements.

Note concerning teaching by out-of-state students not regularly attending the University of the Virgin Islands:

1.Eligibility.Only students formally recommended by schools of education of accredited colleges and universities, or involved in an exchange arrangement that the University of the Virgin Islands has approved with another college or university, will be eligible for acceptance for enrollment in EDU 452, 469/497 (Student Teaching and Seminar). In approving any such requests, priority will be given to graduates of the Virgin Islands secondary school system enrolled in mainland colleges and universities.

2.Acceptance.Acceptance of any outside students will be on a "space-available" basis, with priority given to University of the Virgin Islands students.

3.Status.Outside students enrolled in EDU 452, 469/497 may attend the University of the Virgin Islands on a part-time status only, unless special circumstances exist which warrant an exception. For example, an exchange relationship with another university may involve full-time students who, as part of their over-all program, will enroll in EDU 452, 469/497. Exceptions may be made only by the Senior Vice President and Provost.

4.Instruction and Credits.All outside students taking EDU 452, 469/497 must conform to University of the Virgin Islands policies regarding contact hours, supervision, credits, etc., which apply to University of the Virgin Islands students. No special arrangements can be made in this regard.

5.Fee schedule.Outside students will be required to pay a special fee of $470.00, plus tuition, to cover costs associated with their enrollment.

6.Department of Education.These policies have been approved by the Commissioner of Education. All students seeking admission into EDU 452, 469/497 must receive the prior agreement of the Department of Education to do their student teaching in the local public school system.