Bachelor of Science in Education (4-8 Core Subjects with Special Education)

Website: https://twu.edu/teacher-education/undergraduate-programs/

The Bachelor of Science with a major in Education leads to careers as engaged, prepared, and professional educators. Students completing this degree take courses across multiple disciplines to prepare for educational careers in a variety of settings, depending on the specific degree selected. The undergraduate program requires a minimum of 120 semester hours. The specific number of hours required is determined by the degree plan selected (i.e., grade level, additional specializations).

4-8 Core Subjects with Special Education

Students selecting this degree plan will take courses to prepare them to be educators who can teach math, science, social studies and/or English language arts in fourth through eighth-grade classrooms, as well as self-contained in grades 4-8, along with specialized coursework to prepare them for teaching students with disabilities.

Undergraduate Student Advising

College of Professional Education undergraduate students seeking a Bachelor of Science with a major in Education receive academic advising from the Office of Educator Preparation Services (OEPS). The OEPS provides advising in creating and following academic plans and supports students in their pursuit of academic success. Students should schedule regular appointments with an OEPS advisor (Stoddard Hall, Room 211) to create or edit a degree plan, to receive current information regarding specific degree or certification requirements, or to receive academic guidance and help. Because OEPS advising is by appointment only, appointment times fill quickly and students are encouraged to schedule advising appointments at least two weeks in advance. See the Office of Educator Preparation Services website for additional degree and other OEPS information.

Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's 60x30 Strategic Plan as, "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students through education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

  1. Appropriately explain the impact of effective planning and communication (within the chosen area of concentration) to relevant internal and external stakeholders in an education or community setting.
  2. (For those students seeking initial educator certification) Identify, select, and implement entry-level instructional plans when serving as an instructor in the school setting.
  3. (For those students seeking initial educator certification) Successfully manage organizational and student behavior when teaching in the school setting.
  4. (For those students seeking initial educator certification) Efficiently and accurately assess student progress and use data to develop and modify instruction for K-12 students.
  5. (For those students seeking initial educator certification) Work effectively and collaboratively with students and families from diverse backgrounds.

Admissions

Teacher Certification

Application Deadlines

There are three application periods per year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Students must have their applications in by the deadline the semester before they intend to take ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only).  (see schedule below).

Spring Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Summer)
  • May 1 - Deadline to apply for Summer admission
  • May 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Summer Application Deadlines  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Fall)
  • July 1 - Deadline to apply for Fall admission
  • July 31 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement
Fall Application Deadlines*  (Admission to the EDUC 3000s Spring)
  • December 1 - Deadline to apply for Spring admission
  • December 21 - Deadline for Transfer Grades, Grade Changes, or Any Other Requirement

Guidelines

Please adhere to the following guidelines: 

  • We recommend preparing your application well in advance of the deadline. That way you will be able to identify and resolve any potential issues before the deadline date. 
  • If you intend to register early for ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003, EDUC 3482, or READ 4223 (EC-3 only) for the Summer or Fall semesters and have met all admission requirements, it is recommended that you apply to the EPP by December 1.
  • If you apply for admission to the Educator Preparation Program while enrolled in EDUC 2003 or are taking coursework to increase your GPA to a 2.75, the Office of Educator Preparation Services will process your application. If the GPA requirement, along with all other admission requirements are met at the end of the semester, an admission decision will be made at that time.
  • No late applications will be accepted. If the deadline date falls on a weekend or a day that TWU is closed, applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. on the next day that TWU is open after the deadline day.

Requirements

In addition to the general undergraduate admissions requirements, to obtain acceptance into the undergraduate Educator Preparation Program (and prior to taking ECE 3223 (EC-3 only), EDUC 3003EDUC 3482, EDUC 4113EDUC 4243, READ 4223 (EC-3 only), and Clinical Student Teaching) students must have:

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.75 (includes all courses, whether posted to TWU transcript or used on a degree plan. Excludes developmental and repeated courses);
  • Demonstrated basic skills in reading, written communication, and mathematics by meeting the requirements of the Texas Success Initiative;

  • A minimum of 12 to 15 semester credit hours in the subject-specific content area for the certification sought;

  • Completed EDUC 2003 with a C or higher;

  • Completed department application for admission to the Educator Preparation Program in Tk20;
  • Completed the Digital Literacy Pre-assessment;

  • Submitted a non-refundable Texas Education Agency Fee;

  • Completed a Commitment Contract acknowledging awareness and understanding of the Professional Dispositions Policy and Educators’ Code of Ethics;

  • Successfully completed a pre-admission departmental interview with an interview panel; and

  • Acknowledged and accepted admission to the Educator Preparation Program.

Please note:

  • All accepted students must maintain the admission requirements to remain in the TWU Education Preparation Program.
  • Admission requirements are determined by Texas Education Agency policies and are subject to change without notice.
  • Students seeking Bilingual certification must meet minimum proficiency in Spanish.
  • Students seeking Deaf/Hard of Hearing certification must meet minimum proficiency in sign.

All admission decisions are based on the successful completion of the above requirements. Conviction of a felony or misdemeanor other than a minor traffic violation may affect certification. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Texas Education Agency. Any previous or current issues of academic dishonesty, disruptive behavior, or professional dispositions infractions at TWU, another university, or another Educator Preparation Program may result in denial of admission. Any decision may be appealed by contacting the Office of Educator Preparation Services at 940-898-2829.

Contact the Office of Educator Preparation Services (OEPS) at copeadvising@twu.edu or 940-898-2829 with any questions.

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Requirements

  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to employment as an educator. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(1)]
  • Candidates must undergo a criminal history background check prior to clinical teaching. [19 TAC §227.1(b)(2)]
  • The potential ineligibility of an individual who has been convicted of an offense for issuance of a certificate. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(1)]
  • The right to request a preliminary criminal history evaluation from TEA. [19 TAC §227.1(d)(3)]

Degree Requirements

Total Semester Credit Hours (SCH): 122   

Major: 80 SCH

Program Code: EDUCATION.BS.4-8SPE   CIP Code: 13.0101.00

Texas Core Curriculum

ENG 1013Composition I3
ENG 1023Composition II3
Mathematics3
Life & Physical Sciences6
Language, Philosophy, & Culture3
Creative Arts3
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-18653
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present3
POLS 2013U.S. National Government3
POLS 2023Texas Government3
Social & Behavioral Sciences3
CAO: Women's Studies3
CAO: First Year Seminar, Wellness or Mathematics3
Total SCHs42

Courses Required for Major

Special Education
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities3
EDSP 4243Assessment of Students with Learning and Behavioral Difficulties3
EDSP 4253Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities3
EDSP 4263Behavior Management Strategies for Student with Disabilities3
English
ENG 3203Advanced Grammar and Composition3
Reading
READ 3423Literacy Foundations: 4-83
READ 3463Strategic Learning through Text3
READ 4383Phonological and Orthographic Principles in Literacy3
READ 4413Integrated Language Arts for Grades 4-83
READ 4563Reading Assessment and Instruction: Grades 4-83
Science
BIOL 4593Science in the Secondary Classroom3
Science (Life Science or Physical Science)3
Math
MATH 1523Mathematics Concepts I3
MATH 1533Mathematics Concepts II3
MATH 4003Mathematical Concepts in the Educational Setting3
Social Studies
HIST 2013Survey of World Civilization to 17153
or HIST 2023 Survey of World Civilization Since 1715
HIST 2713History of Texas3
SOCI 3273World Regional Geography3
Related Studies
LS 3013Library Materials for Children3
HDFS 3513Childhood and Adolescence3
Pedagogy & Professional Responsibilities
EDUC 2003Schools and Society3
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration2
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management3
EDUC 4946Clinical Student Teaching6
Total SCHs80

Departmental Requirements

Global Perspectives (may be applied from core)3
Total SCHs3

Recommended Plan of Study

First Year
FallTCCNSCHs
ENG 1013Composition I ENGL 13013
HIST 1013History of the United States, 1492-1865 HIST 13013
MATH 1303College Algebra MATH 13143
POLS 2013U.S. National Government GOVT 23053
UNIV 1231Learning Frameworks: First-Year Seminar EDUC 1100, EDUC 1200, EDUC 13001
Life & Physical Sciences Core3
 SCHs 16
SpringTCCN
ENG 1023Composition II ENGL 13023
HIST 1023History of the United States, 1865 to the Present HIST 13023
POLS 2023Texas Government GOVT 23063
Multicultural Women's Studies CAO Core3
Life & Physical Sciences Core3
Wellness CAO Core2
 SCHs 17
Second Year
FallTCCN
HIST 2713History of Texas HIST 23013
MATH 1533Mathematics Concepts II MATH 13513
Creative Arts Core3
Language, Philosophy, and Culture Core3
Science (Life Science or Physical Science)3
Social/Behavioral Science Core3
 SCHs 18
SpringTCCN
LS 3013Library Materials for Children 3
EDSP 3203Learners with Exceptionalities 3
EDUC 2003Schools and Society EDUC 13013
HDFS 3513Childhood and Adolescence 3
MATH 1523Mathematics Concepts I MATH 13503
MATH 4003Mathematical Concepts in the Educational Setting 3
 SCHs 18
Third Year
FallTCCN
BIOL 4593Science in the Secondary Classroom 3
ENG 3203Advanced Grammar and Composition 3
HIST 2013
or 2023
Survey of World Civilization to 1715
or Survey of World Civilization Since 1715
HIST 2321
or HIST 2322
3
READ 3423Literacy Foundations: 4-8 3
SOCI 3273World Regional Geography 3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
EDUC 3003Learning Theory and Development 3
EDUC 3482Teaching Diverse Learners Through Technology Integration 2
EDSP 4243Assessment of Students with Learning and Behavioral Difficulties 3
READ 4383Phonological and Orthographic Principles in Literacy 3
READ 3463Strategic Learning through Text 3
READ 4563Reading Assessment and Instruction: Grades 4-8 3
 SCHs 17
Fourth Year
FallTCCN
EDSP 4253Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities 3
EDSP 4263Behavior Management Strategies for Student with Disabilities 3
EDUC 4113Design and Implementation of Instruction and Assessment 3
EDUC 4243Classroom Environment and Management 3
READ 4413Integrated Language Arts for Grades 4-8 3
 SCHs 15
SpringTCCN
EDUC 4946Clinical Student Teaching 6
 SCHs 6
 Total SCHs:  122