College of Education

Departments, Schools and Degree Programs

Mission

The mission of the College of Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is built on the three pillars of the academy: Teaching, Scholarship, and Service. A commitment to high standards in each of these areas enables the College to be responsive to community, regional and state needs while addressing national and international concerns. Through Teaching, Scholarship, and Service, the College strives to prepare outstanding teachers, educational leaders, and other professionals in related domains, while developing viable public and private partnerships which systemically improve education. This mission, being fundamental and timeless, represents the professional and ethical imperative of the College of Education to be attentive to the needs of contemporary college students and to the challenges of serving a diverse, modern society.

Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Conceptual Framework:

The Responsive Professional

The Conceptual Framework of the UL Lafayette College of Education is designed to expand upon the institution’s commitment to be a responsive university. The College strives for excellence in the production of Responsive Professionals-individuals who serve the community with professionalism and leadership in Education and allied fields. The College of Education’s Conceptual Framework forms a foundation for innovative, interdisciplinary, and research-based curricula dedicated to the development of reflective practitioners who demonstrate expertise in knowledge and practice. Through these programs, the College fosters collaboration, advocacy, respect for diversity, and commitment to on-going professional growth.

Degree Programs

The College of Education offers undergraduate degree programs in six areas: (1) Early Childhood Education (PreK-3rd); (2) Elementary Education (1-5); (3) Middle School Education (4-8) (concentrations in English, Mathematics, General Science, or Social Studies); (4) Art or Music Education (K-12) (concentration in Art, Instrumental Music Education, Vocal Music Education); (5) Kinesiology (with K-12 certification in Health and  P.E./Kinesiology, and non-teaching options in Exercise Science Pre-professional Studies, Exercise Science Health and Fitness Sales, Exercise Science Fitness Studies, Health Promotion and Wellness, and Sport Management); (6) Secondary Education (6-12) (concentrations in English, Mathematics, Science (Biology, Earth Science, General Science), Business, Chemistry, Physics, Social Studies, and Speech Education)

Students interested in teaching Special Education - Mild/Moderate should pursue a major in elementary or secondary education and take 18 credits of required coursework in SPED classes. Students interested in teaching Special Education - Early Intervention should pursue a major in Early Childhood and take 18 additional hours of required coursework in Early Intervention SPED classes plus 9 credit hours of READ classes.

Professional School Preparation

The School of Kinesiology offers undergraduate preparation in several emphasis areas that provide a good foundation for students wishing to pursue graduate education in a health care professional preparation program. While no particular major is required for these graduate programs, a degree in Kinesiology represents a good alternative for students targeting professional graduate programs.

Undergraduate preparation in the Kinesiology, Exercise Science Pre-professional Studies concentration, Exercise Science Health and Fitness Sales concentration, or Exercise Science Fitness Studies concentration provide the cognitive, practical skill base, and the opportunity for clinical experiences for entering into occupational therapy, physical therapy, physician assistant, or many other graduate health care education programs. Students wishing to pursue these types of graduate programs should be aware of specific course prerequisites professional programs may require.

The Sport Management concentration is a broad-based, interdisciplinary program, which provides appropriate Kinesiology requirements as well as coursework in selected subject matter from related disciplines (e.g., communications, business, management, marketing, finance, and public relations).

The Kinesiology, Health Promotion and Wellness concentration (online program) prepares students to improve the quality of life for individuals and groups in the community as a health educator or community health worker. From working with children struggling with obesity, to organizing community fundraisers, or being a health policy advocate - the career opportunities are endless. Students who complete the Kinesiology program with a concentration in Health Promotion and Wellness and are eligible to take the national certification exam to become a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Procedures

Kinesiology Program Requirements

Exercise Science Fitness Studies concentration course and GPA requirements:

• Grade of a “C” or higher must be earned in the following course prefixes or courses: BIOL 110, BIOL 216 or BIOL 220, CHEM 107, ENGL 101, ENGL 102, HLTH, KNES, MATH 105 or 109, PHYS, PSYC 255, STAT, and the Elective (3 cr. hrs. at the 300-400 level) and Elective (6 cr. hrs. 300-400 level HLTH, KNES, or RCEA).
• All students are required to earn a minimum overall 2.0 GPA to graduate.

Exercise Science Health and Fitness Sales concentration course and GPA requirements:

• Grade of a “C” or higher must be earned in the following course prefixes or courses: BIOL 110, BIOL 216 or 220, CHEM 107, ENGL 101, ENGL 102, FNAN, HIM, HLTH, KNES, MATH 105 or 109, MKTG, PHYS, PSYC 255, and the Elective (3 cr. hrs. 300-400 level HLTH, KNES, or RCEA).
• All students are required to earn a minimum overall 2.5 GPA to graduate.

Exercise Science Pre-professional Studies concentration course and GPA requirements:

• Grade of a “C” or higher must be earned in the following course prefixes or courses: BIOL, CHEM, ENGL 101, ENGL 102, ENGL 365, HLTH, KNES, MATH 105 or 109, PHYS, PSYC 255, STAT, and 12 cr. hrs. Support Electives (regardless of course prefix).
• All students are required to earn a minimum overall 2.75 GPA to graduate.

Health Promotion and Wellness concentration course and GPA requirements:

• Grade of a “C” or higher must be earned in the following course prefixes or courses: BIOL 110, BIOL 216 or 220, ENGL 101, ENGL 102, ENGL 365, ENGL 472 or 474, HLTH, IPHE, MATH 103 or 105, MGMT, MKTG, and the advisor approved electives (9 cr. hrs.).
• All students are required to earn a minimum overall 2.5 GPA to graduate.

Sport Management concentration course and GPA requirements:

• Grade of a “C” or higher must be earned in the following course prefixes or courses: ACCT, BLAW, ECON, ENGL 101, ENGL 102, FNAN, HLTH, KNES, MATH 105, MGMT, MKTG, RCEA, STAT, 6 credit hours of advisor approved elecives at the 300/400 level, and the Support Electives (12 cr. hrs.).
• All students are required to earn a minimum overall 2.5 GPA to graduate.

Special Admission Requirements for Teacher Certification Majors

Admission to The Teacher Education Program: In order to be recommended for a degree in education and certification in an authorized teaching field, the student must have applied for and been formally admitted to a professional program in teacher education at this University. In addition, the student must have fulfilled all University requirements for admission to Upper Division. Official admission to a Teacher Education Program is dependent upon the student’s having met all of the following requirements:

1. Satisfactory completion of all freshman curriculum courses of the elected major, as noted in the appropriate catalog;
2. Completion with grades of “C” or better in the following courses: ENGL 101  and 102  (for all students); MATH 270  and 310 for students certifying in secondary mathematics; MATH 103 - Applied College Algebra Fundamentals  or 105  and 210  for those certifying in any area of science but not in mathematics; MATH 103 - Applied College Algebra Fundamentals  or 107  for students in Early Childhood, Elementary, Middle School, and MATH 103 - Applied College Algebra Fundamentals  or 105  for those certifying in all other secondary education areas not specified above, as well as those in K-12 kinesiology, art education, and music education programs.
3. Achievement of an cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.5;
4. Achievement of passing test scores on the PRAXIS I (PPST) examination, as required by the State of Louisiana (specific requirements are available in the COE Office of Student Services) or ACT waiver composite of 22; or SAT waiver of 1030 or higher.
5. Timely application for admission to the Teacher Education Program (see PROCEDURES FOR MAKING APPLICATION below).

Note: The Committee on Selective Admissions has the authority to admit a limited number of students who do not meet the test score requirement and to grant extensions regarding timely application (including cases in which extenuating circumstances have caused students with demonstrated potential to fall below the minimum grade point average). In either case, consideration must be initiated by a formal letter of appeal, addressed to the Committee on Selective Admissions and submitted to the College of Education Office of Student Services.

Students who have not fulfilled the above requirements may not schedule professional education courses (EDCI, EDFL, IRED, READ, or SPED courses above the 200 level, or methods courses in HLTH or KNES). EDCI 308  and SPED 391  are exceptions to this rule.

Education students who do not make timely application or who fail to meet admission requirements (see above) may be counseled to change majors.

Procedures for Making Application to a Professional Program in Teacher Education. Application for admission to a Teacher Education Program must be made by filing a form designed for this purpose. This form, which is available in the COE Office of Student Services, must be approved by the student’s advisor and submitted along with passing scores on the PRAXIS I (PPST) examination and a current transcript of all work completed at the time of application. APPLICATION MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN THE SEMESTER IN WHICH THE STUDENT WILL COMPLETE 45 HOURS ATTEMPTED. Change-of-major or transfer students who enter the Education program with more than 30 hours may pursue 30 additional hours before application is due. Whether or not all requirements have been met; extensions may be granted to a student who is making satisfactory progress toward the completion of the degree program requirements. In preparation for admission to the degree program, the student should schedule PRAXIS I (PPST) no later than the semester in which 45 hours will be completed. (Completion of the freshman curriculum prior to taking the assessment examination may be helpful but is not required).

All applications are evaluated by the College of Education Committee on Selective Admissions, which notifies the student when acceptance is granted. Once accepted, the student pursues the selected curriculum, scheduling courses in accordance with the appropriate curriculum sequence as outlined in the University Catalog. A student who fails to gain admission is contacted by the Committee on Selective Admissions and given the opportunity to submit a letter of appeal or counseled to change majors.

Admission to Student Teaching

Each candidate must complete an application for student teaching through the Office of Teacher Clinical Experiences (Soulier House) at the beginning of the semester before he or she anticipates student teaching. On completion of all formal course work required in the curriculum, each student is assigned to a professional development school or to one or more teachers at a traditional site. Students are required to have a variety of field experiences in diverse settings. Students’ placement in the schools is based on their prior field experiences, and consideration is given to travel distance. Students are encouraged to complete all course work prior to student teaching; however, if necessary, one non-professional course may be scheduled during this semester after school hours. In order to qualify for student teaching, one must have earned at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average, and at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA in both the professional education component and the teaching specialty area; passed all parts of PRAXIS Series prior to student teaching (see COE Office of Student Services for specific requirements); and have a signed Degree Audit. The Curriculum Cross Check should be done two semesters before student teaching, practicum, or internship.

Course Substitutions

Substitutions for prescribed courses for resident or non-resident credit may be made only with the prior consent and written approval of the COE Office of Student Services. The general policy is to allow very few substitutions.

Non-Resident Credit

Students are cautioned against taking courses through extension, by correspondence, or in other institutions without first obtaining written approval from the COE Office of Student Services. Equivalent courses taken at other institutions prior to enrollment at UL Lafayette may be substituted for required courses with the approval of the COE Office of Student Services. Only courses offered by regionally accredited institutions will be considered for substitution.

For the maximum number of hours permitted out-of-residency, see “Regulations Governing Transfer Credit.”

Students who are Regularly Enrolled in Another Institution.

An Education major from another university will be permitted to register at UL Lafayette in upper division education courses only upon presenting acceptable proof that the student has been admitted to a teacher education program at the home institution and that such credit may be applied toward a degree in the said institution.

Minimum Continuing Requirements

The Committee on Selective Retention is responsible for monitoring the progress of each student admitted to a professional education program. The Committee urges all faculty members to submit, at any time, the name of any student who they believe should be evaluated by the Committee to determine whether the student should continue to pursue a degree in Teacher Education. At the end of each regular semester and summer session, the Committee examines student records to assure that each student is making satisfactory progress toward a degree and possesses the dispositions (personal and social qualities) that are necessary for effective teaching. Satisfactory progress toward a degree is defined as earning an average of at least 2.5 each regular semester and summer session, maintaining at least a 2.5 cumulative average, and earning no less than “C” in all courses labeled EDCI, EDFL, IRED, READ, SPED; in PSYC 220 , PSYC 311 , PSYC 312 , and/or PSYC 255  (where required); all required HLTH and KNES courses; and in all content area courses required for the primary and secondary focus areas in middle school and secondary education programs. The Early Childhood and Elementary Education major must earn “C” or better in MATH 107  (or 103 ), 117 , 217 , and 317 , and in the specialized academic areas (VIAR 215 , EDCI 308 , MUS 306 , THEA 300 , HLTH 300, KNES 301 , and/or KNES 307 , as required by the curriculum; and courses in other fields of certification). Any student who fails to earn at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA for any semester or summer session (or 2.5 overall average) will be placed on probationary status within the Teacher Education Program. Academic performance which continues to deteriorate will be cause for the student to be removed from the Program.

The Committee on Selective Retention may remove students from the Teacher Education Program or place them on probation. In all cases in which either type of action is taken, students are requested to re-evaluate their vocational goals and/or study patterns by consulting with one or more of the following: the Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction or Foundations and Leadership or the COE Office of Student Services.

Any student who is either denied admission to, or removed from, the Teacher Education Program will be reconsidered for the professional program in education after having earned a non-education degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 from a regionally accredited college or university. An individual may request such reconsideration by 1) submitting an official transcript which notes the awarding of the degree earned, and 2) obtaining an official prescription of courses required to complete a certification area and possibly a second undergraduate degree.

Specific Procedures and Degree Requirements of Teacher Education Programs

Each freshman who enters UL Lafayette is assigned to a faculty member who acts as the student’s Academic Advisor. All STUDENT TEACHERS must clear with the Director of Teacher Clinical Experiences to obtain their student teaching assignments. All MUSIC MAJORS must check with the Director of the School of Music before finalizing their schedules. All students are urged to consult frequently with their academic advisors. Other significant procedures are listed below:

1. No professional education courses (EDCI, EDFL, IRED, READ or SPED courses above the 200 level, or methods courses in HLTH or KNES) may be taken until the student has been formally admitted into the College of Education’s Teacher Education Program. SPED 391  and EDCI 308  are exceptions to this rule.
2. The student must follow the course sequence in the catalog dated the year in which that curriculum was selected. If the student changes curriculum, the catalog of the year in which the change was made must be followed. For example: if a student enrolled in the Secondary Education curriculum in 2001 and then changed to Elementary Education in Fall 2003, the appropriate catalog to follow would be 2003-05 rather than 2001-03. If a student does not enroll at UL Lafayette for two consecutive regular semesters, the current catalog must be followed upon re-entry. Exceptions may be requested from the College of Education Office of Student Services.
3. A transfer student will normally follow the curriculum plan as printed in the catalog in effect at the time of entry into this University. With written permission of the COE Office of Student Services, however, the transfer student may follow an earlier catalog. This stipulation is subject to the time limitation stated in #4 below.
4. The maximum period of time for which the provisions of any catalog may be used in preparing a degree plan is five years. Any student who began a degree or post-baccalaureate program six or more years prior to the date of anticipated graduation must consult the COE Office of Student Services to determine which catalog should be used for preparation of a Degree Plan. Periodically the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) makes changes in the certification standards for Louisiana teachers. Although a phase-in period is usually provided to allow candidates to complete the programs in which they initially enrolled, UL Lafayette cannot be held responsible for changes that occur during a student’s program. For this reason, students are encouraged to complete their programs in a timely fashion.
5. Any variation from the courses listed in the catalog must be requested from and approved in writing by the COE Office of Student Services. No substitutions, waivers, or advanced standing will be honored unless first approved by the COE Office of Student Services. This procedure is necessary to protect the student from inadvertent omissions of courses required by the state for certification.
6. A minimum 2.5 adjusted grade point average is mandatory for a degree in teacher education. Many courses require a C or better; see MINIMUM CONTINUING REQUIREMENTS.
7. All required standardized assessments (the PRAXIS Series) must be passed prior to student teaching. Satisfactory scores on all required tests are essential to obtain a public school teaching certificate. Applications for a teaching certificate may be obtained from the COE Office of Student Services.
8. The following guidelines on semester-hour loads are strongly advised. (In any case, a student may not schedule more than 20 semester hours in a regular semester or 10 hours in the summer without written permission of the COE Office of Student Services.)

Course Sequences and Field Experience

In order to provide a seamless progression through the skills of teaching, most methods (as well as other courses that support or provide foundations for the methods courses) are sequenced in a developmental manner. To accomplish these goals, certain courses are scheduled in blocks, with each blocked course requiring at least ten hours of field experience outside of class time. Students are required to adhere to the block scheduling of these courses and to the sequence in which the blocks occur in each curriculum. Students are urged to check with their advisors to plan well in advance for the scheduling of the course blocks.

Alternative Certification Options for Post-Baccalaureate Candidates

The College of Education offers a post-baccalaureate option for non-certified individuals who desire to prepare for teaching but who do not wish to pursue a second undergraduate degree. The Certification-Only Program prepares candidates for certification in most areas in which degree programs are offered. To be eligible for admission to this program, the applicant must meet all requirements for admission to the University and must present (1) a transcript documenting the completion of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5, and (b) passing scores on PRAXIS I (PPST) and on the content section of PRAXIS II that is required by the state for certification in the desired teaching area. Further details are available in the College of Education Office of Student Services, which will provide the applicant with a prescription of required courses.

No Declared Major

Students who wish to major in Education, but who have not selected a specific curriculum should consult the College of Education Office of Student Services for academic advisement.

Graduate Programs

Education M.Ed.

The mission of the College of Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is built on the three pillars of the academy: teaching, scholarship, and service. A commitment to high standards in each of these areas enables the College to be responsive to community, regional and state needs while addressing national and international concerns. Through teaching, scholarship, and service, the College strives to prepare outstanding teachers, educational leaders and other professionals in related domains, while developing viable public and private partnerships which systemically improve education. This mission, being fundamental and timeless, represents the professional and ethical imperative of the College of Education to be attentive to the needs of contemporary college students and to the challenges of serving a diverse, modern society.

Conceptual Framework: The Responsive Professional

The conceptual framework of the UL Lafayette College of Education is designed to expand upon the institution’s commitment to be a responsive university. The College strives for excellence in the production of responsive professionals-individuals who serve the community with professionalism and leadership in education and allied fields. The College of Education’s conceptual framework forms a foundation for innovative, interdisciplinary, and research-based curricula dedicated to the development of reflective practitioners who demonstrate expertise in knowledge and practice. Through these programs, the College fosters collaboration, advocacy, respect for diversity, and commitment to on-going professional growth.

Admission to graduate programs in the College of Education requires the following:

1. An undergraduate grade point average of 2.8 on a 4 point scale and satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination.
2. Each graduate program in the College of Education has additional requirements set forth under its section.

Students who are not granted regular admission status may be admitted conditionally to some of the College of Education programs when academic criteria (undergraduate GPA or test scores) are not fully met. The Graduate Advisory Committee of the College of Education reviews these cases. Conditionally admitted students are closely monitored during their first 12 hours of graduate coursework and must maintain a 3.0 GPA. At the end of 12 hours, conditionally admitted students must petition for regular admission status. NO MORE THAN 9 HOURS OF GRADUATE COURSEWORK, INCLUSIVE OF TRANSFER CREDIT, EARNED PRIOR TO ADMISSION (REGULAR OR CONDITIONAL) TO A DEGREE PROGRAM MAY BE APPLIED TOWARD THE COMPLETION OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS.

Students who wish to pursue graduate coursework in the College of Education but do not wish to pursue a graduate degree should apply for Special Non-Degree status (Note: Special Non-Degree status has the same academic requirements as those for admission to degree programs in education).