Become a Teacher

Program Overview

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Seattle Pacific University's undergraduate teacher education program prepares students for a career in teaching by integrating academic training, Christian faith, and professional practice. The four-year program emphasizes academic rigor and includes field experiences, a year-long internship, and opportunities for students to engage in diverse urban settings. Graduates are eligible for Residency Teacher Certification in Washington and are prepared to meet the challenges of teaching in diverse and changing educational environments.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

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Overview:

Seattle Pacific University's School of Education offers an undergraduate teacher education program that prepares students for a career in teaching by integrating academic training, Christian faith, and professional practice. The program emphasizes academic rigor and allows students to complete a bachelor's degree and teacher certification in four years.

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Objectives:

• Prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to be effective teachers.
• Integrate academic training, Christian faith, and professional practice to develop teachers of both competence and character.
• Provide opportunities for students to engage in diverse urban settings and develop a commitment to equity and social justice.

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Program Description:

The undergraduate teacher education program consists of four stages:

• Education Foundations: Provides a broad base of knowledge in the theory and background of teaching, including field experience requirements.
• Endorsement Content: Prepares students with the required content knowledge for their chosen endorsement area through coursework in their academic major.
• Methods: Focuses on applying content knowledge through coursework and field experiences, synthesizing knowledge of educational foundations, subject matter, methodology, classroom management, assessment, and student development.
• Professional Year: Provides a year-long internship that offers practical, real-world teaching experience and serves as a bridge between academic coursework and becoming a certified teacher.

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Outline:

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Content:

• Education Foundations:
• Introduction to Education
• Educational Psychology
• Classroom Management
• Assessment and Evaluation
• Endorsement Content:
• Varies depending on the chosen endorsement area (e.g., Elementary Education, Secondary English Language Arts, Special Education)
• Methods:
• Teaching Methods for the Endorsement Area
• Curriculum Development
• Instructional Strategies
• Professional Year:
• Internship in a school setting
• Collaboration with a mentor teacher
• Planning, teaching, and assessing students

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Structure:

• Four-year program
• Full-time or part-time study options
• Field experiences throughout the program
• Year-long internship in the Professional Year

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Course Schedule:

• Varies depending on the chosen endorsement area and individual student's schedule.

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Individual Modules with Descriptions:

• Introduction to Education: Explores the history, philosophy, and current issues in education.
• Educational Psychology: Examines the psychological principles of learning and development, and their application to teaching.
• Classroom Management: Provides strategies for creating and maintaining a positive and productive learning environment.
• Assessment and Evaluation: Covers principles and techniques for assessing student learning and providing feedback.
• Teaching Methods for the Endorsement Area: Focuses on specific teaching methods and strategies for the chosen endorsement area.
• Curriculum Development: Explores principles and practices of curriculum design and implementation.
• Instructional Strategies: Examines a variety of instructional strategies and their effectiveness in different learning contexts.
• Internship: Provides practical, real-world teaching experience under the guidance of a mentor teacher.

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Assessment:

• Formative Assessments:
• Class participation
• Quizzes
• Assignments
• Summative Assessments:
• Exams
• Projects
• Portfolios
• Washington Educator Skills Tests:
• Basic Skills (WEST-B)
• Endorsements (WEST-E) or National Evaluation Series Test (NES)

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Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Simulations
• Field experiences
• Faculty:
• Experienced educators with expertise in their respective fields
• Unique Approaches:
• Emphasis on integrating Christian faith and professional practice
• Opportunities for students to engage in diverse urban settings
• Year-long internship that provides practical, real-world teaching experience

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Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Elementary School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Special Education Teacher
• Early Childhood Educator
• Opportunities:
• Employment in public and private schools
• Opportunities for career advancement through additional education and experience
• Outcomes:
• Graduates are prepared to meet the challenges of teaching in diverse and changing educational environments.
• Graduates are eligible for Residency Teacher Certification in the state of Washington.