College of Education and Human Development

Tamara Wallace, Interim Dean
Peters Hall A119, (540) 831-5277

Debora Bays Wilbon, Interim Associate Dean and Director of Field Experience Programs
Peters Hall A114, (540) 831-5277

Donna DeHaven, Director, Center for Academic Advising and Student Support
Peters Hall A104, (540) 831-5424

The College of Education and Human Development offers programs to prepare students for areas of specialization that include teaching in elementary, middle, and secondary schools; special education; health and human performance; nutrition and dietetics; and recreation, parks, and tourism. The College also houses two programs providing minors in Appalachian Studies and in Peace Studies. Students may select from a wide range of program options at both the undergraduate and graduate-levels. Many of these options lead to professional licensure or certification. Faculty and staff emphasize holistic, student-centered teaching grounded in the realities of the professions. The college is recognized for outreach and collaboration in the service of healthy individuals and communities.

The College of Education and Human Development includes the following units:

Appalachian Studies 

Peace Studies 

Counseling and Human Development 

Health and Human Performance 

Recreation, Parks and Tourism 

School of Teacher Education and Leadership 

In addition to these programs, the School also has graduate programs in: Educational Leadership, Literacy Education, and a Master’s degree in Education with concentrations in Secondary Mathematics, and Appalachian Studies.

Academic Advising

The College of Education and Human Development recognizes the importance of academic advising and encourages all students to meet with their academic advisors at least twice each semester. Each student has ultimate responsibility for meeting the requirements of his or her academic program. Academic advising goes beyond the selection of courses for registration. It provides students with an opportunity to talk about concerns such as building a strong program leading to a promising career, employment opportunities, expectations of prospective employers such as grade point average or extracurricular activities and financial opportunities. Both faculty advisors and the Advising Center staff are committed to assisting students in: exploring educational and career options; clarifying university and departmental requirements; selecting appropriate courses; evaluating academic progress; and obtaining referral information for academic and student support services.

The Center for Academic Advising and Student Support assists faculty advisors by offering general and technical advising to any student in the college. Center personnel are available to clarify policies and procedures as well as help students find answers to their academic questions. It is the student’s responsibility to verify that all graduation requirements are met as specified in his or her selected program. Students are expected to contact their advisors to schedule advising appointments. Additional information can be found on the Center’s webpage at http://www.radford.edu/content/cehd-advising/home.html.

Academic Advising (a definition developed through a collaborative effort by the College’s Advising, Recruitment, and Retention Committee and the faculty of the College):

Academic advising is a dynamic relationship, a developmental process through which an advisor (faculty or professional) and advisee (the student) establish a shared partnership leading to the development of academic, career, and life goals by the advisee. The advisor serves as a teacher, guide, and facilitator, encouraging the advisee to assume responsibilities for making decisions, thinking critically, utilizing resources and reaching their potential.

Advisors encourage students to:

• Gain a clearer understanding of the experience of higher education;
• Approach their education in an organized and meaningful way;
• Think critically;
• Take responsibility for their education,
• Seek out resources;
• Develop action plans towards goal achievement, and;
• Evaluate progress toward their goals.

Academic advising is student centered, utilizes the resources of the university including appropriate referral to other services, and promotes a successful academic experience.

Teacher Education Program

All programs in professional education preparation at Radford University are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the Virginia Department of Education. Information related to admission to and retention in programs and information on the professional studies component of preparation programs is found in the following pages. Additional information specific to the degree or subject area and departmental requirements are found on the following pages in this catalog. Because national and state standards are continually being modified, program requirements are subject to change. Students should stay in contact with advisors and with the Office of Field Experience to keep abreast of possible changes. Programs administered through the College of Education and Human Development:

Students pursuing the following licensure programs major in Interdisciplinary Studies  

Elementary Education (preK-6)
Middle School Education (6-8)
Special Education (Deaf and Hard of Hearing, PreK-12)
Special Education General Curriculum/Adapted Curriculum, (K-12)
Early Childhood Special Education (Birth-age 5)*

Students pursuing licensure in the following program major in Exercise, Sport and Health Education  

Health and Physical Education (preK-12)

Programs Administered in Conjunction With Other Colleges:

See departmental information for details.

Art Education: preK-12 (Catalog Review - CVPA )

Biology: grades 6-12 (Catalog Review - ACSAT )

Chemistry: grades 6-12 (Catalog Review - ACSAT )

Dance Education preK-12 (Catalog Review - CVPA )

Earth Sciences: grades 6-12 (Catalog Review - ACSAT )

English: grades 6-12 (Catalog Review - CHBS )

Mathematics: grades 6-12 (Catalog Review - ACSAT )

Music Education: preK-12 (Catalog Review - CVPA )

Physics: grades 6-12 (Catalog Review - ACSAT )

Social Studies: grades 6-12 (Catalog Review - CHBS )

Spanish: preK-12 (College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences )

Graduate Programs

See the Radford University Graduate Catalog for details.

Education-Content Area Studies (Math Education), Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Technology, Early/Primary Education
(College of Education and Human Development)

Educational Leadership
(College of Education and Human Development)

Literacy Education (Reading Specialist)
(College of Education and Human Development)

School Counseling
(College of Education and Human Development)

Clinical Mental Health Counseling
(College of Education & Human Development)

Secondary Science/Licensure Option
(College of Education and Human Development)

Special Education – General Curriculum/Adapted Curriculum, Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (blended), Early Childhood Special Education (stand alone), Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Visual Impairment
(College of Education and Human Development)

Admission Requirements

Criteria for admission to the Teacher Education Program fall into three areas: high academic achievement, proficiency in basic skills, and professional qualities that contribute to success in teaching.

To be eligible to apply, students must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Completion of a minimum 45 semester hours of course work, except 50 hours is required for secondary education programs;
• Completion of the state required child abuse and neglect training (certificate must be attached to admission application);
• Successful completion of HUMD 300  (if required in specific teacher education program) and EDEF 320 ;
• Successful completion of all departmental screening procedures and requirements for admission (information available in departments);
• Passing scores on Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics Assessment (or equivalent), the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA), and the Praxis II (content area) assessments;
• Not have any “incompletes” on current academic record;
• Not have a record of unsuccessful performance in a teacher preparation program or while under contract in a position in a school;
• Not have records of violations of academic integrity or currently be on probation for violations of student conduct and/or state law;
• Demonstrate professional characteristics and dispositions;
• A minimum 2.50 grade point average (GPA) on all college work, a 2.50 GPA on all work at Radford University and a 2.50 GPA on all work attempted in the major and professional studies, except elementary education, secondary English, social studies, music, and mathematics and the five-year programs.

• Elementary Education requires:

              (1) 3.00 GPA on all college work

    (2) Grades of “C” or better in all University Core, College Core, IDSE Core, Concentrations, and Professional Education courses

              (3) 3.00 GPA on all work attempted in the major and in professional studies

    (4) All coursework in University Core, College Core, IDSE Core, Professional Education, and any Special Education Concentration courses must be completed before the Early Field Experiences Semester. Therefore, during the two semesters of Early Field Experience and Student Teaching, the teacher candidate may only be enrolled in the required program coursework for these two semesters (EDUC 430 and EDUC 450). Only 3-6 hours of content concentration courses may be taken after the Student Teaching semester.  Taking courses to fulfill degree requirements after Student Teaching will delay submission of the teacher licensure application.

• Secondary English, Mathematics, Music and Social Science programs require: 

              (1) 2.75 GPA on all college work (music requires a 2.5)

              (2) 2.75 GPA on all work at Radford University

              (3) 2.75 GPA on all work attempted in the major and in professional studies

• Early childhood special education requires:

     (1) 2.75 GPA on all college work

     (2) 2.75 GPA on all work at Radford University

     (3) 2.75 GPA on all work attempted in the major and in professional studies

     (4) Grades of “C” or better in IDEC Core, Concentrations, and Professional Education courses

     (5) Must meet additional requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research if students choose to complete the 5th year option to complete the Early Childhood  Ed. program and pursue PK-3 licensure.       

• Five-year program: special education/general curriculum and adapted curriculum requires:

     (1) 2.50 GPA on all college work

     (2) 2.50 GPA on all work at Radford University

     (3) 2.50 GPA on all work attempted in the major and in professional studies

     (4) must meet additional requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research, such as GPA of 2.75.

For a copy of “Policies and Procedures Governing Admission/Readmission, Field Placement, Retention and Program in the Teacher Education Program,” go to the Office of Field Experience online handbook at https://bit.ly/2Zd2RsI.

Admission Procedure

Applications for admission to the Teacher Education Program will ONLY be obtained through attendance at a MANDATORY meeting for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

These meetings will be held at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Students can find announcements about these meetings via their RU email, electronic bulletin boards in Peters Hall, in the Center for Academic Advising and Student Support, and in the Office of Field Experience. Students must submit the application for admission to the teacher education program one semester prior to the first field experience. The dates for the deadline for applications will be publicized by the Office of Field Experience. Applications are reviewed by each program area to ensure students meet minimum criteria to be eligible for admission. If a student does not meet minimal criteria, he or she is notified by the office and will not be registered for early field experience courses or student teaching.

After the application is submitted, departments conduct a departmental review. The department’s recommendation regarding the student’s admission to the Teacher Education Program is then sent to Office of Field Experience.

Applications and supporting information are then again reviewed by the Office of Field Experience and by the Associate Dean. Each applicant will be notified by the Office of Field Experience regarding his or her admission status. If admission is denied, the Associate Dean will provide reasons for the denial. A student who is denied admission and who later meets eligibility requirements in a subsequent semester, may reapply.

An applicant may appeal denial of admission by letter from the student to the Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Development within 1 week of being sent the letter of notification. The student’s letter requesting an appeal must include or be accompanied by a statement of information supporting the appeal.

Retention Policies

After admission to the Teacher Education Program, a student’s progress is under continued review by the faculty. Retention policies are fully described in Policies and Procedures Governing Admission/Readmission, Field Placement, Retention and Program Completion in the Teacher Education Program, available online at https://bit.ly/2Zd2RsI.

Eligibility for Student Teaching

A full semester of student teaching is required of all students in the Teacher Education Program. To be eligible to enroll in student teaching, a student must have:

• earned a minimum of 92 hours of credit and met course work prerequisites for student teaching;
• successfully completed all departmental prerequisites for student teaching;

• A minimum 2.50 grade point average (GPA) on all college work, a 2.50 GPA on all work at Radford University and a 2.50 GPA on all work attempted in the major and professional studies, except elementary education, secondary English, social studies, music, and mathematics and the five-year program which have different requirements.

  • Elementary Education requires:

                      (1) 3.00 GPA on all college work

           (2) Grades of “C” or better in all University Core, College Core, IDSE Core, Concentrations, and Professional Education courses

                     (3) 3.00 GPA on all work attempted in the major and in professional studies

                     (4) 3.00 GPA on all work at Radford University

• Secondary English, Mathematics, Music and Social Science requires: 

                     (1) 2.75 GPA on all college work

                     (2) 2.75 GPA on all work at Radford University

                     (3) 2.75 GPA on all work attempted in the major and in professional studies

• Special education/general curriculum and adapted curriculum requires the following because student teaching is completed as part of the fifth year graduate level program:

                     (1)   must meet requirements for admission to the Teacher Education Program (including a GPA of 2.75) and

                     (2)   requirements for admission to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

• Submitted passing scores on the Virginia Communication and Literary Assessment (VCLA); the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics Assessment (or equivalent); and passing scores on the subject exams required for licensure (PRAXIS II). The Virginia Department of Education does not require a Praxis II exam for special education programs with the exception of the Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education which requires Elementary Education Multiple Subjects exams (Praxis II),

• Passing scores on the Reading for Virginia Educators Assessment (RVE) are required for program completion and recommendation for licensure for candidates in the following programs: elementary education (PreK-6), early childhood/early childhood special education, special education :general curriculum and adapted curriculum, and special education/hearing impairments  Each student is expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions that reflect professional development in the following key areas of performance: content knowledge; content pedagogy; learner development and learner differences; establishing a climate for learning; planning and implementing instruction; assessment for student learning; professionalism and ethical practice; collaboration and communication; and professional characteristics and dispositions.

Licensure, Program Completion, and Graduation Requirements

To fully complete the program, graduate in the program, and be recommended for licensure, students must meet all requirements in the Radford University state-approved teacher education program including but not limited to: maintaining grades and GPA required for admission and retention; successfully completing student teaching in assigned school setting(s); and submitting passing scores on all licensure exams required in Virginia. Students who do not meet the requirements for the teacher education program might meet requirements for graduating with an academic degree without licensure (please see the Center for Academic Advising and Student Support).

Each student is responsible for meeting all requirements for graduation and  licensure.

By action of the Virginia General Assembly, all candidates completing teacher preparation programs are required to earn passing scores on examinations determined by the Board of Education and must meet other requirements as stated by the Virginia licensure requirements and program approval requirements. Applications for graduation are accessed at the web site for the Center for Academic Advising and Student Support: http://www.radford.edu/content/cehd-advising/home.html. The Application for a Virginia License to teach is available online at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching/licensure/. Completed applications should be submitted to the Office of Field Experience for processing. Application requirements are subject to change based on Virginia Department of Education directives.

For information, contact the Licensure Specialist in the Office of Field Experience, Peters Hall A104.

Additional Services

Additional services in the College of Education and Human Development are provided through the following offices:

Center for Academic Advising and Student Support (CEHD Advising Center)
Donna DeHaven
Peters Hall A104, (540) 831-5424

This office supports the mission of the university and college by providing student-centered support through academic advising to students who have questions about curricula, teacher licensure requirements, academic requirements, academic policies and procedures, transfer work and graduation requirements. Students are expected to become familiar with their program requirements in the university catalog, program website, and Advising Center’s website. (See additional information above.)

The Office of Field Experience Programs, Peters Hall A104, (540)831-5277
Debora Bays Wilbon, Interim Associate Dean and Director of Field Experience Programs
Kathie Dickenson, CEHD Field Placement Coordinator
Libby Hall, Licensure Specialist

This office administers a variety of services which support educator preparation programs within the college and the university. Specifically, the office manages policies and procedures regarding admission/readmission, retention, and field placements in field experience programs including Early Field Experiences, Pre-Student Teaching, Student Teaching, and Graduate Practica and Internships. The office also coordinates professional development programs, seminars, workshops, and institutes for teacher preparation students and university and school clinical faculty. The Office oversees state program approval of RU educator preparation programs and assists with university and national assessment and accreditation efforts for educator preparation programs.