B.S.Ed. in Computer Science Education

Program Overview

Mercer University's Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Computer Science Education prepares students to teach computer science to adolescents in grades 6-12. The program emphasizes the value of inclusivity, collaboration, and computational thinking. Graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to teach computer science concepts, design lesson plans, and advocate for the needs of diverse students.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Program Overview:

Mercer's Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) with a major in Computer Science Education equips undergraduate students to teach adolescents in grades 6–12 key computer science skills and concepts. This program is designed to provide students with an academic perspective that values the individual and authentic worth of adolescents through the inclusive lens of the regular classroom.

Objectives:

• Graduates will gain an academic perspective that values the individual and authentic worth of adolescents through the inclusive lens of the regular classroom.
• Graduates will be equipped to advocate for the needs and rights of each adolescent they serve in their future classrooms.
• Graduates will understand the importance of collaboration and establishing partnerships with parents, schools, and communities.
• Graduates will be prepared to apply computational thinking principles, including decomposition, abstraction, and pattern recognition in problem solving.
• Graduates will be able to describe the syntax and semantics of a programming language, its control structures, and its data type.
• Graduates will understand how components of a computer system work together to produce programs and applications to solve computational problems.
• Graduates will be able to identify network functionality, examining factors such as bandwidth, latency, and server capability.
• Graduates will be able to create models and simulations to help formulate, test, and refine hypotheses.
• Graduates will be able to describe the main tenets of information security, including confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, and non-repudiation.
• Graduates will be able to prepare computer science lessons plan (curriculum, instruction, and assessment) considering problem-solving and decision-making situations for a diverse student population.

Outline:

Program Structure:

The B.S.Ed. in Computer Science Education is a full-time, daytime program. Students will complete a set of field placements within diverse school and community populations.

Course Schedule:

The program includes coursework in computer science, education, and general education. Specific course requirements and schedule can be found at: https://www.mercer.edu/education/programs/bsed-computer-science-education/course-descriptions

Assessment:

Assessment Methods:

Students in the B.S.Ed. in Computer Science Education program are assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Exams: Written and oral exams are used to assess students' understanding of course material.
• Projects: Students complete projects that demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real-world problems.
• Presentations: Students present their work to their classmates and instructors.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

The B.S.Ed. in Computer Science Education program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce new material and concepts.
• Discussions: Discussions are used to encourage students to actively engage with the material and to share their perspectives.
• Labs: Labs are used to provide students with hands-on experience with the material.
• Practicum: Practicum provides students with the opportunity to teach under the supervision of a mentor teacher.

Careers:

Career Paths:

Graduates of the B.S.Ed. in Computer Science Education program are qualified to teach computer science at the secondary level. They may also pursue careers in educational administration, curriculum development, or instructional design.

Job Outlook:

The job outlook for computer science teachers is expected to grow faster than average in the coming years. This is due to the increasing demand for computer science education in schools.

Earning Potential:

The earning potential for computer science teachers is competitive with other teaching professions. According to the National Education Association, the average salary for a public school teacher in the United States is $61,314.