Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.

Elementary Education

Teaching children in elementary schools requires both a broad understanding of the world and detailed knowledge of how children grow, develop, and learn. Elementary school teachers design instruction for mathematics, literacy, science, social studies, the arts, and technology.  The Interdisciplinary Studies* degree (IDSE) prepares students to teach in the elementary grades (PreK-6) by including coursework in each of the content areas as well as foundational studies in education. A concentration (4 courses) in diverse learners, a variety of methods courses, and multiple field experiences connect knowledge across all of the content areas with the latest research on learning science, child development, and family engagement. To demonstrate commitment to the high standards of the profession, students will achieve a 3.0 GPA by the time they apply for their final year of intensive field experiences.** Students finish the program academically prepared, skilled in the classroom, and well-positioned to make a difference in the lives of children. 

Elementary and Special Education: General Curriculum Five-Year Program

Students pursuing a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and licensure in Elementary Education (PK-6) (as described above), may apply for acceptance to the fifth year Master of Science Degree in Special Education. This program leads to Virginia licensure in Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12) with the successful completion of graduate coursework and two clinical experiences. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research before being enrolled in the graduate-level portion of the program, known as the fifth year.

Students are expected to complete the graduate admission process during the final semester of their senior year.

(See the Radford University Graduate Catalog for further details.)

Middle School Education

Students seeking a teaching endorsement in middle school education (grades 6-8 / IDSM) complete an Interdisciplinary Studies degree with a specialization in Middle Education.  Students complete coursework in two concentrations.  One concentration will be a content area  chosen from English, mathematics, science, or social science. In order to meet Virginia teaching licensure regulations and to be prepared to teach content included in Virginia’s Standards of Learning, students must have coursework in the following areas for their chosen content area concentration:

• English concentration must include coursework in language—structure, grammar, literature, composition, and interpersonal communication or speech.
• Mathematics concentration must include coursework in algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, and applications of mathematics.
• Science concentration must include coursework in each of the following: biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth and space science, a laboratory course is required for two of the four areas.
• History and social science concentration must include coursework in each of the following: American history, world history, economics, American government (including state and local government), and geography.

The second concentration includes pre-professional education courses that provide a foundation for professional knowledge:

• Educational Technology
• Middle Education Curriculum and Philosophy
• Multicultural Education
• Social and Historical Foundations of Education
• Special Education

Deaf/Hard of Hearing

For students interested in teaching children and youth who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, the College of Education and Human Development offers a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Successful completion of this program leads to a teaching endorsement in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing preK-12.   The emphasis of the program is to prepare future Teachers of the Deaf (TOD) to work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing children and youth in varying placement options and communication modalities.

In addition to Core Coursework requirements, the Interdisciplinary Core, and Professional Education coursework, students complete concentrations in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Special Education. Upon admission to the Teacher Education Program, candidates complete student teaching experiences at both the PK/elementary and secondary levels with children and youth who are Deaf and /or Hard of Hearing.

Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Special Education: General Curriculum Five-Year Program

Students pursuing a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and licensure in Deaf/Hard of Hearing (PK-12) (as described above) may apply for acceptance to the fifth year of the Master of Science Degree in Special Education program. This program includes graduate coursework and two clinical experiences and successful completion leads to Virginia licensure in Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12). Students must meet all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies before being enrolled in the graduate portion of the program, known as the fifth year. Students are expected to complete the graduate admission process during the final semester of their senior year. Students who earn licensure through the B.S. program in Deaf and Hard of Hearing take EDSP 469. As a result, DHH students will take EDSP 672 instead of EDSP 669.

(See the Radford University Graduate Catalog for further details.)

Early Childhood Special Education

Upon successful completion of the four-year program, including passing licensure assessments and field experiences, students earn a bachelor’s degree and are eligible to apply for licensure with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education, (Birth-Age 5 all disabilities). Students pursuing teacher licensure must apply, be accepted, and meet retention requirements for the Teacher Education Program (see admission procedure for details).

Students may also pursue a non-licensure route, earn their bachelor’s degree, and not take and/or pass the licensure assessments.

Upon successful completion of the 4-year licensure program, students have the option to return for a 5th year to complete a M.S. in Education: Curriculum & Instruction leading to an additional endorsement in Early/Primary Education (PreK-3). Students must meet all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and the Teacher Education Program before being enrolled in the graduate portion of the program.

Special Education: General and Adapted Curriculum Five-Year Program

The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specialization in Special Education is designed for students interested in teaching children and youth with disabilities in the general education or adapted curriculum. The emphasis is on preparing effective special educators who can work collaboratively in today’s complex and diverse classrooms to maximize learning for all children.

Completion of the fifth year Master of Science Degree in Special Education, which includes graduate coursework and two clinical field experiences, is required for Virginia licensure with endorsements in Special Education: General Curriculum, K-12 and Special Education: Adapted Curriculum, K-12. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research before being enrolled in the graduate portion of the program. Students are expected to complete the admission process during the final semester of their senior year.

(See the Radford University Graduate Catalog for further details.)

Special Education: General Curriculum Five-Year Program

Pre-Professional Option: B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a preprofessional concentration and a concentration in special education. This option within the Interdisciplinary Studies major is designed for students interested in teaching children and youth with disabilities in the general education curriculum, but who do not have adequate time within five years to complete the requirements for both special education adapted and general curriculum (these might be students who changed majors or transferred to RU). The emphasis is on preparing effective teachers who can work collaboratively in today’s complex and diverse classrooms to maximize learning for all children.

Completion of the fifth year Master of Science Degree in Special Education, which includes graduate coursework and two clinical field experiences, is required for Virginia licensure with endorsement in Special Education - General Curriculum, K-12. Students must meet all requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research before being enrolled in the graduate-level portion of the program. Students are expected to complete the admission process during the final semester of their senior year. (See the Radford University Graduate Catalog for further details.)