Secondary education at Converse is designed to prepare students to become well-qualified teachers and certified professionals. The graduate student who wishes to teach in grades 9-12 must meet the admission requirements specified in this Catalog. All secondary areas require a minimum of 18 semester hours at the graduate level in the content subject (English, Social Studies, or Math) Different states have different requirements; it is imperative that students are careful in planning their program, particularly if they plan to teach in a state other than South Carolina.
Attaining these objectives will necessitate the development of certain competencies which will be demonstrated by the student in his/her courses, practicums, and student teaching.
These competencies include:
- Diagnosing entry level skills of students;
- Observing and evaluating pupil progress and performance;
- Using media and technology appropriate for the subject;
- Varying instructional activities;
- Employing a wide number of methods and techniques;
- Demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the content area;
- Preparing daily and unit lesson plans;
- Involving students in the learning process by use of such techniques as inquiry and discovery;
- Communicating and presenting his/her understanding and appreciation of his/her subject; and
- Relating the academic knowledge to the methodological skills and to his/her understanding of the nature of secondary students
The purpose of this program is to prepare students to become effective teachers. The goal is to provide them with an in-depth knowledge base of their field and appropriate teaching strategies for the developmental level of their students.
Objectives
In addition to the unit standards established for all teacher education programs, there are certain objectives for the secondary school teacher. Objectives for the secondary school teachers in all subject fields are designed so that the teacher will:
- Analyze adolescent development and learning
- Observe, document, assess, and support a struggling reader
- Employ developmentally appropriate approaches
- Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.
- Show an appreciation of his/her chosen area of specialization and convey that appreciation to his/her students;
- Describe the relationship of his/her subject to the secondary school and to the contemporary world; and
- Demonstrate those skills and teaching methods that will enable him/her to present and communicate his/her subject matter effectively to his/her students at their level of understanding.
Outcomes
- Candidates will analyze adolescent development and learning.
- Candidates will observe, document, and assess and support a struggling reader.
- Candidates will employ developmentally appropriate approaches.
- Candidates will use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.
English (Leading to Certification in English, Secondary)
Program Description
Candidates in English at the secondary level (grades 9-12) must complete a major in English which includes a minimum of 33 semester hours of English above the 100 level. They must also complete certain courses within or in addition to the major. These courses ensure study of the language, composition, and literature for future English teachers. In addition, prospective teachers of English must complete hours in professional education and psychology.
The candidate must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in content area courses as well as a 3.0 GPA in overall program coursework. The candidate takes the PRAXIS II examination before the completion of student teaching.
In addition to the Teacher Education Program Goals and Objectives, the secondary education program in English is designed to help the candidate reach the following specific goals and objectives.
Program Goals
- Candidates will analyze adolescent development and learning
- Candidates will observe, document, assess, and support a struggling reader
- Candidates will employ developmentally appropriate approaches
- Candidates will use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.
Converse candidates who complete a secondary education program in English will be able to:
- Demonstrate their knowledge of the content in this field;
- Plan, implement and assess instruction in simulated settings and in real classroom settings;
- Organize and manage effectively a 9-12 grade placement in the public schools; and
- Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction.
Program Coursework
Required courses: Teacher candidates may only take courses in Benchmark I before being admitted to the Teacher Education Program. See the departmental webpage at converse.edu for a list of Benchmark courses and other important information.
Required Content Course Taken as Undergraduate or Graduate
(9-18 hours required at the Graduate Level)
Content courses may be taken in Benchmark II and must include the following:
- ENG 540, ENG 560: Required at graduate level
- ENG 520: Must be Shakespeare if not taken as UG
- ENG 550, ENG 561: REquired at graduate level
Benchmark I Core Courses
- EDU 567, SED 500, EDU 612: Must be taken in Benchmark II. Must have content courses to be admitted or take while taking EDU courses.
Benchmark II Core Courses
Benchmark III Core Courses
Social Studies (Leading to Certification in Social Studies, Secondary)
Program Description
The candidate of social studies at the secondary level (grades 9-12) must complete a major that includes economics, history, politics, psychology and sociology. Each of these majors is described in detail in the Catalog. In addition, candidates in social studies must complete courses in professional education.
The candidate must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in content area courses as well as a 3.0 GPA in overall program coursework. The candidate takes the PRAXIS II examinations before the completion of student teaching.
In addition to the Teacher Education Program Goals and Objectives, the secondary education program in social studies is designed to help the prospective teacher reach the following specific goals and objectives:
Program Goals
The goals of the secondary education program in social studies at Converse are to:
- Candidates will analyze adolescent development and learning
- Candidates will observe, document, assess, and support a struggling reader
- Candidates will employ developmentally appropriate approaches
- Candidates will use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum.
Converse candidates who complete a secondary education program in social studies will be able to: Demonstrate their knowledge of the content in this field;
- Plan, implement and assess instruction in simulated settings and in real classroom settings;
- Organize and manage effectively a 9-12 grade placement in the public schools; and
- Demonstrate computer proficiency in instructional technology including the knowledge of skills, strategies, software and hardware to be used in classroom management and computer-assisted instruction.
Program Coursework
Required courses: Teacher candidates may only take courses in Benchmark I before being admitted to the Teacher Education Program. See the departmental webpage at converse.edu for a list of Benchmark courses and other important information.
Benchmark I
Courses from economics, government, geography, history, psychology, and sociology must be covered in your undergrad or graduate program. A the graduate level, you must have at least two areas in addition to history.
Secondary Minor: 36 hours
- EDU 567, SED 500, EDU 555, EDU 612: These courses may be taken in Benchmark II as well as Benchmark I