Elementary Education Program Overview and Advising Information

1. Elementary Education Program Overview and Advising Information EMGE Office 138 Killian, 828.227.7108

2. Declaration of Major • To declare your major in Elementary Education: • Complete a declaration of major form and turn it into the department, (Killian 138).

3. Elementary Education Program • All students must complete a total of 128 hours including: • Liberal Studies (42 hours) • Second Academic Concentration (18 hours) • Professional Education Sequence (27 hours) • Elementary Education Core (41 hours) • Our program is very tight! • Usually there is only room for 1 elective and still stay within 128 hours. • Follow the checklist carefully to graduate in 4 years.

4. Liberal Studies Tips • Math 321, a required course for Elementary Education students, will count for your liberal studies math course (C2). You do not need Math 101. • Remember that one perspectives course needs to be an upper level (300 or 400 level). • Liberal Studies Information can be found at http://www.wcu.edu/23743.asp.

5. Second Academic Concentration Tips • The SAC requirement for the Elementary Education (18 hours) is mandated by the State of North Carolina. • SACs should be decided early (second semester freshman year is ideal) so that you can begin taking SAC courses right away. • For SAC choices and required courses see: http://catalog.wcu.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=15&poid=1396&bc=1.

6. Teacher Education Program: Admission To be admitted to the Teacher Education Program and the Elementary Education Program, the following are required: 1. Completed at least 30 hours;2. Earned a C (2.0) or higher grade in EDCI 231 and ENGL 101; 3. Earned (and then maintain) a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.754. Achieved the minimum required scores on the SAT, ACT, or Pre-Professional Skills Test PPST Praxis I (Reading, Writing, Mathematics); 5. Subscribe to TaskStream; 6. Completed the M5 Personality Survey and Diversity Inventory via TaskStream; and 7. Submitted the Application for Admission to Teacher Education. Details provided in Edci 231 and at http://www.wcu.edu/3146.asp. Students should apply during their sophomore year.

7. Teacher Education Program: Testing • Praxis I (PPST) Required Scores • *Passing scores in Praxis I is a requirement of the State of North Carolina* • Reading 176 • Writing 173 • Mathematics 173 • Or a total of all 3 scores at 522 or higher. • You are strongly recommended to take these Praxis tests in the first semester of your sophomore year. • You must pass the Praxis and be admitted to the Teacher Education Program before you can take many of the core Elementary Education courses.

8. Praxis I: Exemption • Qualifying SAT scores can be substituted for the Praxis I exam. • Total SAT score of 1100: exempt from all Praxis I requirements. • Less than 1100 but at least 550 on verbal SAT: exempt from Praxis I Reading and Writing • Less than 1100 but at least 550 on math SAT: exempt from Praxis I Mathematics • Qualifying ACT scores can be substituted for the Praxis I exam. • Composite ACT score of 24: exempt from all Praxis I requirements. • Less than 24 composite but at least 24 on English: exempt from Praxis I Reading and Writing • Less than 24 composite but at least 24 on Math: exempt from Praxis I in Mathematics

9. Praxis I: Support • Praxis I Preparation Books • On Reserve in Hunter Library • Mathematics Section Support • Mathematics Tutoring Center: http://www.wcu.edu/8473.asp • Writing Section Support • The Writing Center: http://www.wcu.edu/11545.asp • Study Guide Zone • Free, Online Study Guide & Practice Questions: • http://www.studyguidezone.com/praxistest.htm

10. Praxis I: Registration • The Praxis can be taken in a computer-based format or the traditional paper and pencil. • Paper and Pencil Test • Takes several weeks to receive scores. • Offered on campus • Register Online • Computer-based Testing • Provides Reading and Math scores immediately. • Testing centers are available throughout the country; the closest being in Asheville, NC. • To find other testing centers call: 1.800.853.6773 • Register by phone or http://www.prometric.com • For more information or to register, visit http://www.ets.org/praxis/

11. Elementary Education Core: Prerequisites • Many of our courses require admission to the Teacher Education Program (not just declaring your major). • See the Curriculum Guide for BSEd in Elementary Education, located in KL 138. You will be unable to sign up for courses that require admission to the Teacher Education Program if you have not been fully admitted. • EDRD 303, EDEL 418, EDEL 312 and ELMG 417 have EDCI 231 as a prerequisite, with a grade of C or better. • EDEL 418 has MATH 321 and MATH 322 as prerequisites.

12. Elementary Education Core: Sequencing • Take EDEL 418 before ELMG 419 • Take EDEL 312 before EDEL 311 • Take EDEL 311 with ELMG 390 (BLOCK)

13. Elementary Education Core: Field Experience • ELMG 390: Practicum I (BLOCK) • 1 day per week in a public school • Typically taken 2nd semester junior year • For more information or to apply visit http://www.wcu.edu/9875.asp • ELMG 484: Internship I • 2 days per week in a public school • Taken 1st semester senior year • Internship Seminar included • For more information or to apply visit http://www.wcu.edu/9874.asp • ELMG 485: Internship II • Full-time in a public school • Taken 2nd semester senior year with ELMG 495: Student Teaching Seminar • For more information or to apply visit http://www.wcu.edu/9874.asp • Other Field Experiences • Other Field Experiences are part of additional courses such as: EDCI 231, PSY 320, PSY 321, and SPED 337.

14. Elementary Education Core: Intern I • Intern I • Co-requisites • These course are to be taken together during Intern I • ELMG 484: Intern I • ELMG 415: Communication Skills • ELMG 466: Computers in Education • ELMG 474: Practicum in Teaching Reading • This is a very full and challenging semester. No other courses are typically taken. You must get permission in advance to take any other courses. E-mail requests to the Department Head, Dr. William Dee Nichols at wdnichols@email.wcu.edu.

15. Elementary Education Core: Intern II • Intern II • Co-requisites • These course are to be taken together during Intern II • ELMG 485: Intern II • ELMG 495: Seminar for Student Teachers • NO additional courses can be taken during this semester.

16. Elementary Education Students: Grades • Elementary Education Students need to earn a “C” or better in the following courses: • ENGL 101 and ENGL 102 • MATH 321 and MATH 322 • PE 361, ART 363, and MUS 301 • EDCI 231, PSY 320, PSY 321, and SPED 337 • ALL EDEL, EDRD, EDMG and ELMG courses. • If a student fails any course in the Professional Education Sequence twice, the student is withdrawn from the Teacher Education Program. • Courses in liberal studies or SACs will be accepted with less than C’s; however your overall GPA must remain 2.75 or higher to be in the Teacher Education Program. • Students may retake courses and replace the previous grade in order to raise their GPA no more than a total of 15 hours.

17. Elementary Education Students: Options • Elementary Education Majors can add on a K-12 Reading License with just a few extra courses: • EDRD 443: Middle Grades Reading (online offerings available) • EDRD 467: Adolescent Literature (Spring Only) • EDRD 453: High School and Adult Reading (Summer Only) • Guided Elective: by approval of the Department Head

18. Elementary Education Students:Scholarships • Pick up applications in the Office of Special Programs in G22 McKee, 828.227.7056 • Firm Deadline: December 1st. • Previous recipients must reapply each year. • To learn more, visit http://www.wcu.edu/8197.asp

19. Elementary Education Students:Resources • Program Requirements • Visit: http://www.wcu.edu/5407.asp • To see our Curriculum Guide for BSEd in Elementary Education visit: http://www.wcu.edu/WebFiles/PDFs/1_BSED_ElementaryEducation_AUG09.pdf • Meet the EMGE Faculty • Visit: http://www.wcu.edu/5405.asp • Contact the EMGE Department • Visit: http://www.wcu.edu/5397.asp

20. Elementary Education Students:Resources • Transcript & Degree Evaluation • Log onto MyCat, select the ‘Personal Services’ Tab, than the ‘Student’ Tab, than select ‘Student Records’ from the list. • Transcript: Semester by semester list of courses and grades. • Degree Audit/Evaluation: An overview of program requirements that have been met (listed in blue) and that are still needed (listed in red). • Be sure to “Generate New Evaluation” each time you run your Degree Audit/Evaluation. • Class Schedule • Log onto MyCat and locate the ‘Virtual One Stop Links’ on the left hand side, select ‘Schedule of Classes’. • Look carefully at course prefixes to help you find what you are looking for: • EDEL: Elementary Education • ELMG: Elementary/Middle Grades Education • EDRD: Reading • EDMG: Middle Grades Education • EDCI: Curriculum & Instruction

21. Elementary Education Students:Resources • Check Our Website Often!

22. Elementary Education Students:Advising • Group Advising • Each semester on Advising Day, our department hosts several Group Advising sessions. • Students should make plans to attend a Group Advising Session, individual appointments with advisors are reserved for students with unique needs! • Students are notified via e-mail of the times and locations. • Visit http://www.wcu.edu/24088.asp for advising and registration dates. • Come to Advising prepared! • Bring a completed Curriculum Guide (check sheet) • Bring a NEW Degree Audit/Evaluation • Bring a NEW unofficial transcript • Bring a tentative schedule for the coming semester • Bring a list of any questions you may have • This is YOUR responsibility as a student!

23. Elementary Education Students:Tips • Check your Catamount E-mail often, this is where official communication from Western Carolina University is sent. • Don’t be afraid to ask questions, this is your university experience and you are in charge of it.

24. EMGE Department Contact Information For any other questions contact: The Department of Elementary and Middle Grades Education 138 Killian 828.227.7108 emge@email.wcu.edu