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University of Central Arkansas
Undergraduate Bulletin 2004 - 2006

Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.02.03

Middle/Secondary Education and Instructional Technologies

Chair and Professor: Dr. Arn, 450-3177
Professors: Dr. Hardin, Dr. James, Dr. Phelps, Dr. Williams, Dr. Witcher
Associate Professors: Dr. Charter, Dr. Thurman
Assistant Professors: Dr. Harris, Dr. Huffman, Dr. Roberts, Mr. Vaughn, Dr. Whittingham, Dr. Wiedmaier
Clinical Instructor II: Ms. Kelley, Mr. Thomason
Clinical Instructor: Ms. George, Ms. Rickman

[1] Departmental Purposes

The primary purposes of the department are to (a) prepare novice teachers with entry-level skills that will allow them to develop into competent professionals and reflective decision makers, (b) prepare experienced professionals with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to assume leadership roles in schools and other agencies and organizations whose principal functions relate to P-12 schooling, (c) provide service to agencies and organizations that interface with P-12 schools and the preparation of teachers and other educators, and (d) advance the knowledge and practice of teaching and schooling through scholarly and creative activities.

[2] Curricula

Programs within the Department of Middle/Secondary Education and Instructional Technologies include business and marketing technologies education, library media, middle-level education, and specific courses for secondary education licensure. The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with two majors:

  1. Business and Marketing Technology Education (4-12)
  2. Middle Level Education (4-8)

Candidates interested in teaching at the 7-12 level should contact specific program coordinators whose telephone numbers are listed under Secondary Education on UCA's home page. Teacher education degrees at the secondary level are offered in Art Education, English Education, Family and Consumer Science Education, Health/Kinesiology & Physical Education, French Education, Math Education, Music Education, Science Education, Spanish Education, and Social Studies Education.

[2.1] The Honors Program

To earn an honors degree, the following conditions must be met:

  1. Consent of the chair of the department,
  2. 3.00 grade point average on all work attempted, and
  3. Successful completion of a special problems course.

[2.2] Bachelor of Science in Education

[2.2.1] Business and Marketing Technology Education

Programs of study in business technology and marketing technology education are designed for individuals preparing for careers for grades 4-12 and post-secondary teachers. Requirements include completion of (1) the general education component (see General Education Program in this bulletin), (2) the business education core, and (3) professional education degree requirements.

Business Education core: ACCT 2310, 2311, 2321, BMED 2320, 2364; ECON 1310; FINA 2330; MGMT 2301, MIS 2343, 3321, 3364; MGMT 2341.

Professional education degree requirements: EDUC 1300, 1220, 3309, 3321; MSIT 3310, 4305, 4325; BMTE 4359, 4371, 4340, 4680, 4681.

Several professional education and content courses must be taken together. Consult with the program coordinator for details. See UCA's Undergraduate Studies web site for a four-year model plan of study.

[2.2.2] Middle-Level Education, Grades 4-8

The undergraduate program in middle level education is designed to prepare teachers to work effectively in middle-level grades. Program goals include (a) delivering a program that models middle-school philosophy through the use of flexible scheduling, teaming, and interdisciplinary teaching; (b) preparing middle-grades teachers who can design and deliver developmentally responsive curriculum based on theory, research, and reflective decision making; (c) providing experiences that enhance candidates' ability to "think like a teacher" (e.g., case discussions, problem-based learning, field experiences, reflective journals); (d) providing candidates extensive field-based experiences in school and community sites; and (e) preparing middle-level educators who are competent, caring, and qualified.

Candidates interested in pursuing a major in middle-level education must choose one of the following tracks: language arts/social studies track or mathematics/natural sciences track. Candidates who successfully complete one of these tracks and meet requirements established by the state of Arkansas will be eligible to seek an initial teacher's license through the Arkansas Department of Education.

Delivery of courses (both tracks): With the exception of EDUC 1300, 1220, and 3309, MSIT 3310 and 3320, all professional education requirements must be completed after admission to the teacher education program. Also, several of the content courses in the language arts/social studies track and mathematics/natural sciences track must be taken after admission to the teacher education program. Several professional education and content courses are scheduled to form blocks, and these courses must be taken together. Consult with the program coordinator for details.

[2.2.2.1] Mathematics/Natural Sciences Track

General Education: Requires completion of the general education component. The following courses should be selected from those categories that provide options because these courses fulfill both general education and program requirements: BIOL 1400, ENGL 2305 or 2306, 2370, GEOG 1305, HIST 1310, 1320, 2301 or 2302, PHYS 1400, PSCI 1330, MATH 1390.

Related requirement: ENGL 3335, HIST 3310.

Concentration in Mathematics and Natural Sciences (47 hours including 11 hours taken as part of general education): In addition to the courses specified for general education, the following courses are required: CHEM 1400; MATH 1360, 2320, 3351, 4310, 4314, 4310; SCI 3410, 3420, 4420.

Professional Education: EDUC 1300, 1220 or Competency Test, 3309, 3321, MSIT 3310, 3320, 4305, 4320, 4325, 4411, 4315, 4612, 4613.

[2.2.2.2] Language Arts/Social Studies Track

General education: Requires completion of the general education component. The following courses should be selected from those categories that provide options because these courses fulfill both general education requirements and program requirements: ART 2300; BIOL 1400; ECON 1310; ENGL 2305 or 2306, 2370; HIST 1310, 1320, 2301; MATH 1390; PHYS 1400; PSCI 1330; WRTG 1310, 1320.

Related requirement: Math 3351.

Concentration in Language Arts/Social Studies: In addition to the courses specified for general education, the following courses are required: ENGL 2312, 2313, 3320, 3335, and a cross-cultural elective in either Asian, Latin American, or African American (see options below); GEOG 1315, 1322; HIST 2302, 2320, 4355, and the same cross-cultural elective in Asian, Latin American, or African American as selected for English (see options below); SOC (3 hours); WRTG 3305.

Cross-cultural studies options (courses are taken concurrently and with the same content emphasis, e.g., Asian):

Professional Education: EDUC 1300, 1220 or Competency Test, 3309, 3321, MSIT 3310, 3320, 4305, 4310, 4320, 4325, 4411, 4612, 4613.

[2.2.3] Secondary Education

See the education major in the appropriate college and department for full program descriptions. Departments have developed four-year model plans of study and have made them available on-line: model plans of study.

[2.3] Graduate Programs

Two graduate programs are offered in the Department of Middle/Secondary Education and Instructional Technologies. See the Graduate Bulletin or UCA home page for Training Systems and Library Media and Information Technologies.

[3] Courses in Business/Marketing Education (BMED)

Note: Effective with the fall semester 2003, the prefix BMTE will replace BMED.

Follow this link to BMED/BMTE course descriptions: course link.

[4] Courses in Education (EDUC)

Follow this link to EDUC course descriptions: course link.

[5] Courses in Middle/Secondary Education (MSIT)

Follow this link to MSIT course descriptions: course link.