Oct 15, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interdisciplinary Studies, B.S.*


Elementary Education (R, A, L)


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 (IDSE) degree 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. Students finish the program academically prepared, skilled in the classroom, and well-positioned to make a difference in the lives of children.

REAL Curriculum


This major fulfills the R, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students need majors and/or minors to fulfill the E area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements. Courses that fulfill the R, A, and L areas provide Elementary Education students the needed knowledge, skills, and dispositions in Math, Literacy, History, Science, and foundational studies in education in preparation for working in the elementary classroom.  Students will incorporate the tools of mathematics and quantitative reasoning and the methodologies of scientific inquiry, examine individual, social, or cultural factors that influence human behavior and shape educational experiences for students, and apply their skills in classroom settings.

REAL Foundational Requirements


REAL Cornerstone Requirements


Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Elementary Education concentration includes 6 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education Requirements


General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Elementary Education concentration includes 30-36 general education credits.

Major Requirements (101 credits)


Concentrations (42 credits)


Note(s):

*These requirements make up the early field experience program.

Additional Degree Requirements


Students must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA (overall, in-major, and professional education) in order to graduate.

Students must maintain a grade of C or better in all required coursework to be admitted into and retained in the Teacher Education Program, to enroll in early field experience, student teach, and graduate.

Open Credit Hours (24 credits)


These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 125


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 (E, A, L) or (R, A, L)


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

REAL Curriculum


This major fulfills the A and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students completing an English or Social Science concentration will also fulfill the E area.  Students completing a Math or Science concentration will also fulfill the R area. Students need majors and/or minors to fulfill the R or E area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements. Through coursework in the middle school specialization, students will develop abilities to employ mathematical and quantitative reasoning and understand the methodologies of scientific inquiry. They will be able to describe and analyze the interactions among factors related to the social institution of school and students’ success in school. Students will also develop skill to critically evaluate instructional technology and to design and create effective technological resources to support the learning of all students.

REAL Foundational Requirements


Foundational Math (3 credits)

REAL Cornerstone Requirements


Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Middle School Education concentration includes 6 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education Requirements


General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Middle School Education concentration major includes at least 30 general education credits.

Major Requirements (79-82 credits)


Professional Education Coursework (27 credits)


  English Math Science Social Studies

Early Field Experience

(3 credits)

EDUC 446   EDUC 447   EDUC 448   EDUC 449  

Methods for Instruction

(3 credits)

EDUC 456   EDUC 457   EDUC 458   EDUC 459  

Student Teaching

(12 credits)

EDUC 466   EDUC 467   EDUC 468   EDUC 469  

Classroom Management for Grades 6-12

(3 credits)

EDUC 462   EDUC 462   EDUC 462   EDUC 462  

Content Area Reading and Literacy

(3 credits)

EDRD 416   EDRD 416   EDRD 416   EDRD 416  

Assessment of Student Learning Grades 6-12

(3 credits)

EDUC 403  EDUC 403  EDUC 403  EDUC 403 

 

Note(s):

*Courses make up the early field experience program.

Required Outside Coursework (28-31 credits)


Science Concentration (R, A, L) (20 credits)

Additional Degree Requirements


  • See the Teacher Education Program (TEP) section of the catalog (College of Education and Human Development) for additional information.   
  • To be eligible for a middle education endorsement in Virginia, students must complete a minimum of 21 credit hours in a content area.  Students in the middle education program complete 18-21 of these credit hours by completing a content area concentration.  Any remaining credit hours are completed by:
    • Math concentration:  MATH 125 (Foundational math requirement)
    • Science concentration:  PHSC 350 (required for all students regardless of concentration)

Open Credit Hours (39-42 credits)


These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 121


Deaf/Hard of Hearing (R, A, L)


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.

Students complete concentrations in Communication Sciences and Disorders and Special Education.

REAL Curriculum


This major fulfills the R, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students need a minor or major to fulfill the E area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements. Courses that fulfill the R, A, and L areas provide students the needed knowledge, skills, and dispositions in English, Math, Science, Social Science, and foundational studies in education in preparation for working in preK-12 classrooms. Students will incorporate the tools of mathematics and quantitative reasoning and the methodologies of scientific inquiry; examine individual, social, or cultural factors that influence human behavior and shape educational experiences for students; and apply the skills they learn in classroom settings.

REAL Foundational Requirements


REAL Cornerstone Requirements


Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing concentration includes 3 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education Requirements


General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing concentration includes 21-25 general education credits.

Major Requirements (92 credits)


Required Outside Coursework (29 credits)


Additional Degree Requirements


Students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA to graduate.

Open Credit Hours (33 credits)


These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Hours in Program 125


Additional Information


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 (R, A, L)


Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Program (IDEC). The IDEC program prepares students to work with children under the age of 5 with and without disabilities. Students can choose the non-licensure track, earn their BS and be well prepared to work in public and private preschool and childcare settings. Students may also earn their BS and be eligible for Virginia’s Birth to 5, Children with Disabilities license. If they choose to continue for a 5th year, they may secure their MS and be eligible for Virginia’s PreK-3rd grade license.

REAL Curriculum


This major fulfills the R, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students need a minor to fulfill the E area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements. Students will take required math and lab science courses to apply their learning to fulfill the goals for R. For the A area, students will learn about disability and its impact on families and culture, as well as a US history and human development course. For L, students will be evaluated on their developing expertise, knowledge and/or skills as it relates to incorporating instructional technology into their future teaching, as well as reflect upon their work.

REAL Foundational Requirements


REAL Cornerstone Requirements


Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level.

General Education Requirements


General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Early Childhood concentration includes 25-31 general education credits.

Major Requirements (91-94 credits)


Professional Education (27-30 credits)


Additional Degree Requirements


  • Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher (overall, in-major, and professional education)
  • Students must earn a C or better in all required coursework
  • Students pursing the 4-year licensure and non-licensure options should consult with an advisor when choosing coursework to fulfill these credits.
  • Students pursuing the 5th year licensure option should use the credit hours to complete the following required coursework (18 credit hours):

Open Credit Hours (26-29 credits)


These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements, including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 122


Additional Information


Students pursuing teacher licensure must apply, be accepted, and meet retention requirements for the Teacher Education Program (see admission procedure for details). 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 may also pursue a non-licensure route. Students should speak to their academic advisor about completing degree requirements without licensure.  Students who complete the non-licensure route are not eligible to apply for the fifth year Master’s program.

Students planning to complete the fifth year Master’s program 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 (R, A, L)


This program 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. The Bachelor’s degree includes pre-professional coursework and two early field experiences. In order to earn teacher licensure with endorsements in special education, students must complete the fifth year Master’s program.

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 teacher 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 and Professional Studies 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.)

REAL Curriculum


This major fulfills the R, A, and L areas of the REAL Curriculum. Students need a  minor or major to fulfill the E area to complete the REAL Curriculum requirements. Courses that fulfill the R, A, and L areas provide students the needed knowledge, skills, and dispositions  in English, Math, Science, Social Science, and foundational studies in education in preparation for working in K-12 classrooms.  Students will incorporate the tools of mathematics and quantitative reasoning and the methodologies of scientific inquiry; examine individual, social, or cultural factors that influence human behavior and shape educational experiences for students; and apply the skills they learn in classroom settings

REAL Foundational Requirements


REAL Cornerstone Requirements


Writing Intensive (WI) Courses (6 credits)

Writing Intensive courses are denoted below with a (WI). Two writing intensive courses are required to graduate, with at least one at the 300- or 400-level. The Special Education concentration includes 6 credits of writing intensive courses.

General Education Requirements


General Education courses will be denoted below with a (GE). Students are required to take at least 30 credit hours of general education designated courses within their degree requirements. The Special Education concentration includes 24-25 general education credits.

Major Requirements (86 credits)


Additional Degree Requirements


Students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA (overall, in-major, and professional education) in this concentration.

Open Credit Hours (36 credits)


These credits can be used to fulfill additional courses, majors, minors, and/or REAL Curriculum requirements including Foundational Writing and Foundational Math.

Total Credits Needed for Degree 122


Additional Information


Students must maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher to be admitted into and retained in the Teacher Education Program, to enroll in early field experience, student teach, and graduate. Students must meet additional requirements for admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research.