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Undergraduate Program of Study

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Please note that students may meet with an advisor by making an appointment in advance.

Office Phone : 504-280-1278.

The undergraduate program of study is built on the foundation of a solid, comprehensive general education in the liberal arts and sciences, as it is essential that teachers know the content they will teach. In addition to content knowledge, the teacher education program includes education coursework focused on teaching and learning processes of diverse learners.

Education coursework is divided into three components:

core coursework (designated as EDUC) focused on knowledge and skills related to the learner and the learning environment,
professional education coursework (designated as EDCI, EDHP, or EDHS) specific to the knowledge and skills aligned with the chosen certification area, and
special education coursework to assist candidates in meeting the needs of students with mild/moderate disabilities (designated as EDSP).

The undergraduate program of study is organized into four Tiers, each of which includes specific courses, field experiences, and candidate assessments. Tier I is designed to help students decide whether or not they would like to become a teacher. Tier II provides coursework that provides an initial level of knowledge and skill development and field experiences that largely involves observation and individual student instruction. Tier III begins with admission to the Teacher Education Program and includes professional coursework that increasingly focuses on pedagogy and applying theory to practice. Field experience at this level involves individual, small group instruction, and co-teaching. In Tier IV, candidates assume responsibility for planning, implementing, and evaluating whole class instruction during the student teaching experience.

The undergraduate program in each certification area (except music education) includes sufficient coursework for a candidate to achieve an add-on certificate in special education (mild/moderate disabilities) in addition to the certification area associated with the program of study. Although all necessary coursework is included, additional assessments and clinical practice are required to earn the additional certification upon graduation from the program.

Coursework Category	Description of Course Category
General Education	These courses are taken in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Sciences to provide content knowledge.
Knowledge of the Learner and the Learning Environment	These courses are designated as EDUC courses that provide core knowledge and skills associated with effective teaching.
Focus Area	These courses are aligned with the professional standards associated with the respective certification area.
Methodology and Teaching	These courses focus on curriculum, instruction, and theories of learning.
Flexible Hours	These courses provide additional coursework in methodology, special education, children’s literature, physical education, and core knowledge. Some programs have more flexibility than others. The curriculum sheets provide that information.

All advising for undergraduate teacher education candidates begins in the office of the College of Education and Human Development. A college advisor will provide you with information on the program of study, determine whether or not you are eligible to enter the program, and advise you through the first Tier of the program. Upon admission to Tier II, candidates are assigned an academic advisor representing the chosen certification area.

Teacher candidates are encouraged to carefully consider the courses in which they enroll each semester. In many cases, courses have prerequisite requirements, so candidates need to consider the sequence of coursework to ensure proper progression through the program of study. In many cases, the college office can provide candidates with a recommended four year plan for a program of study. While candidates are not required to follow the plan, the college takes care to minimize schedule conflicts among the courses recommended for a given semester in the sequence. Candidates who do not follow the plan are responsible for determining schedule conflicts for the courses chosen for a given semester.