Education (EDU)

430 David M. French Hall
(810) 762-3260 or (810) 424-5215
Fax: (810) 762-3102 or (810) 424-5539
http://www.umflint.edu/education

Chair: Mary Jo Finney
Assistant to the Chair and Coordinator for Academic Advising: Joel Maidens
Graduate Programs Advisor: Rachel Gutierrez
Principal Secretary: Lori Rathbun
Graduate Field Placement Coordinator: Patricia Cutter
Administrative Assistant Intermediate: Vacant

Associate Professors Aviva Dorfman, Mary Jo Finney, Suzanne Knezek, Jeffrey Kupperman, Matthew Wyneken; Assistant Professors Tyrone Bynoe, Elizabeth Cunningham, Christine Kenney, Pamela Ross McClain, Toko Oshio, De’Andre Shepard, Melissa Sreckovic, Chad Waldron, Annie Whitlock

Professors Emeriti Steve Althoen, Bernice Blamer, Rose Casement, Thomas N. Filson, Maxine Perine, Carl H. Rinne, Harold Stahly, Edward E. Sullivan, Sue Woestehoff

The Department of Education’s program offerings are designed to assist prospective elementary and secondary teachers in acquiring the skills and abilities necessary for excellence in teaching and to meet requirements for Michigan Teacher Certification.

Students must be formerly admitted to the program for which they have completed degree requirements to be recommended for graduation.

All programs offered by the Education Department are approved by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Professional Preparation Services, P.O. Box 30008, Lansing, MI 48909, (517) 373-3310.

Endorsement and certification programs must be responsive to changes mandated by the Michigan Department of Education. Students should consult their Academic Advisor for the most current information. Students are expected to regularly consult their for announcements and updates regarding such things as courses, policies, requirements and additional information.

Students should consult the Education website or their advisor for the most current information. Special announcements, such as orientation meetings and changes in course scheduling, are sent to students’ university email accounts and posted outside the Education Department office.

Accreditation

The department is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Teacher Preparation (CAEP), 2010 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036, Telephone: (202) 223.0077.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Education is to prepare teachers and educational personnel who: understand and value the disciplines they teach; comprehend psychological principles and the variations of human development, behavior and potential that facilitate student learning; recognize that historical, sociological, political and philosophical factors promote equal educational opportunity; possess the pedagogical-content knowledge necessary to make appropriate instructional decisions that promote reflective thinking, problem solving, and critical inquiry; discern the ethical obligations of professional educators; and demonstrate their ability to use their knowledge of the academic disciplines, psychology, social foundations, pedagogical-content strategies, and ethics in working with children.

Assessment

The Department participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods, and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment.

Undergraduate Programs

The Education Department offers two undergraduate programs in elementary education, both leading to the Bachelor of Science degree: the General Program in Elementary Education , and the Honors Program in Elementary Education . Specializations in Early Childhood Education are also offered, as well as an Early Childhood Studies Minor for students not seeking teacher certification. A secondary initial teacher certification is also offered through the Master of Arts with Certification (MAC) program. See Graduate Programs below.

(The College of Arts and Sciences offers secondary and K-12 teacher’s certificate programs; see the Secondary and K-12 Teacher’s Certificate Programs section of this Catalog.)

Graduate Programs

Education graduate degree programs provide advanced study for persons who wish to enhance their knowledge base and professional background in educational fields that have an urban focus.

All Education graduate programs are designed to offer students:

Awareness of the unique characteristics and needs of diverse student populations in an urban setting
Understanding of principles of motivation and learning and how these translate into the classroom
Awareness of the historical, sociological, political, and philosophical factors that promote equal educational opportunity
Opportunity to examine school and classroom environments and to develop strategies that will both improve instruction in elementary and secondary school settings and enhance University/school partnership opportunities
Enhanced skills as instructional decision makers
Theoretical and practical information on both integrated and discipline-based curriculum models
Pedagogical-content knowledge necessary to make appropriate instructional decisions
Exposure to current research and theory in education
Knowledge and experience with a variety of educational research techniques
Opportunity to enhance multidisciplinary understandings through integrated and cross-discipline study

A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (B) and passing grades in all courses are required for all programs. When a graduate course is repeated (due to a poor grade), both grades are listed on the transcript and averaged into the cumulative GPA. Individual programs may have additional grade requirements.

Master of Arts in Education programs require a minimum of 33 to 36 credits of coursework at the graduate level.

All graduate level courses are numbered 500 and higher and are open only to graduate students.

The Education Department offers Master of Arts (MA) programs in Early Childhood Education , Literacy (K-12) , Educational Technology , Inclusive Education (approval pending), and Mathematics Education for Elementary and Early Childhood Educators . A Master of Arts with Secondary Education Certification (MAC) program is also available.

The Education Department offers a post-master’s Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) program and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in Education Leadership.

In addition, an Educational Administration (MPA) program is offered in collaboration with the University’s Program in Public Administration .

Endorsement Programs

Endorsement programs for Early Childhood Specialist (ZS), Reading Specialist (BR), and Educational Technology Specialist (NP) are embedded in the appropriate master’s degree programs and are also available as free-standing certification programs.