College of Education and Human Development

Tamara Wallace, Interim Dean
Peters Hall A119, (540) 831-6374

Debora Bays Wilbon, Interim Associate Dean and Director of Field Experience Programs
Peters Hall A114, (540) 831-6374

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

The College of Education and Human Development includes the following academic divisions – the Department of Counselor Education, the Department of Health and Human Performance, the Department of Recreation Parks and Tourism, and the School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

Besides its well-known programs in elementary, middle and secondary education, the College of Education and Human Development also offers undergraduate programs in areas such as allied health science; fitness, strength, and conditioning; health education and health promotion; nutrition and dietetics; health and physical education; sport management; outdoor recreation; recreational therapy; tourism and special events; early childhood special education; deaf and hard of hearing education; and K-12 special education. The college also offers Master’s level programs in athletic training; clinical and mental health counseling; school counseling; education; educational leadership; literacy education; and special education and as well as a doctoral program in education.

The College of Education and Human Development is renowned for its strong clinical programs. Faculty in the college partner with practitioners to design immersive experiences that are grounded in the daily realities of the profession. The benefit of this collaboration is twofold as it not only enables us to effectively prepare our students for their professional fields of practice but also allows us to “give back” by providing volunteer service to our local community. Successful completion of our programs leads to professional licensure or certification.

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 academic 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

Radford University’s professional educator preparation programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and approve by the Virginia Department of Education. Because accreditation and state requirements are continually being modified, program requirements are subject to change. Students should frequently review the Teacher Education Program website and email communications from the Office of Field Experience to keep abreast of possible program changes.

Information related to admission to and retention in programs and information on the professional studies component of preparation programs is found in the following sections. Additional information specific to the degree or subject area and departmental requirements are found in the college and major sections of the catalog.

Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs Administered in the College of Education and Human Development

The Interdisciplinary Studies major prepares students who would like to teach in any of the following areas:

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)*

The Exercise, Sport and Health Education, B.S. major prepares students who would like to teach Health and Physical Education (preK-12).

Undergraduate Teacher Education Programs Administered in Conjunction With Other Colleges

The College of Education and Human Development collaborates with other colleges to prepare students to teach specific content areas. These students will major in the discipline and complete coursework and requirements for licensure through the College of Education and Human Development.

Students interested in teaching science or mathematics at the secondary level (i.e., grades 6 – 12). will major in one of the following disciplines in the Artis College of Science and Technology:

Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Physics
Mathematics

Students interested in teaching English, social studies, or Spanish at the secondary level (i.e., grades 6 – 12) will major in one of the following disciplines in the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences:

English
Foreign Languages and Literatures  (Spanish concentration)
Social Science

Students interested in teaching art or music (preK-12) will major in one of the following disciplines in the College of Visual and Performing Arts:

Art
Music

Graduate-level Teacher Education Programs Administered in the College of Education and Human Development

See the Radford University Graduate Catalog for details.

Education, M.S.

Curriculum and Instruction with licensure and teaching endorsement in one of the following

Early/Primary Education
Elementary Education
Middle Education
Secondary (biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, English, mathematics, social studies)

Special Education

General Curriculum
Adapted Curriculum
Early Childhood Special Education
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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 the state required child abuse and neglect awareness training (certificate must be attached to admission application);
Successful completion of EDEF 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. 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, and Social Science programs require:

(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

Early childhood special education requires:

(1) 2.5 GPA on all college work

(2) 2.5 GPA on all work at Radford University

(3) 2.5 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/Primary program and pursue PreK-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://tinyurl.com/ycdvuhkl.

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://tinyurl.com/ycdvuhkl.

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:

Successful completion all departmental prerequisites for student teaching;
Successful completion of the early field experience (or pre-clinical experiences);
Demonstrate a basic level of competence in essential teaching skills such as lesson planning, instructional delivery, and classroom management;
Demonstrate satisfactory professional characteristics and dispositions;
Receive a positive recommendation for student teaching by the university supervisor and/or program area faculty;
Maintain the minimum program grade point average (GPA) and course grade requirements.

Licensure, Program Completion, and Graduation Requirements

To fully complete the program, graduate, and be recommended for professional licensure, students must meet all requirements in the Radford University state-approved teacher education program. Requirements include but are not limited to: maintaining grades and GPA required for admission and retention; successfully completing the early field experience and/or student teaching; and submitting passing scores on all licensure exams required in Virginia. Students who do not complete the teacher education program may still be eligible for a degree (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) 831-6374
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.