Teacher Preparation Program

Elementary and Secondary Education

Mission Statement

Nevada State College’s (NSC) mission statement pledges to address Nevada’s need for increased access to higher education by placing special emphasis on the state’s need for effective, highly qualified and skilled teachers. To this end, the Teacher Preparation Department of NSC is dedicated to the development of a standards-based, innovative model that will increase teacher understanding of the educational needs of a diverse student population and their continuum of learning, as well as provide a rigorous understanding of content, K-12. 

Learning outcomes

The Teacher Candidate will demonstrate basic skills and dispositions in:

Critical thinking

Domain 1:  Knowledge of content and pedagogy, knowledge of students, selecting instructional goals, knowledge of resources and designing coherent instruction in relation to Planning and Preparation;

Communication

Domain 2:

Creating an environment of respect and rapport, establishing a culture for learning, managing classroom procedures, managing student behavior and organizing physical space in relation to Classroom Environment;

Domain 3:

Communicating clearly and accurately, using questioning and discussion techniques, providing feedback to students, and demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness in relation to Instruction;

 

Effective citizenship

Domain 4:

Reflecting on teaching, maintaining accurate records, communicating with families, contributing to the school and District, growing and developing professionally and showing professionalism in relation to Professional Responsibilities.

 

The program offered by the Teacher Preparation Program is standards-based. The standards set forth by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) guide the development and evaluation of the programs and related activities of the Teacher Preparation Program. The standards of the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) are integrated into the program's framework. The framework is the benchmark by which student performance competencies and the effectiveness of all school programs and activities are assessed.

 

The framework is composed of four research-based domains:

Domain 1: Planning and Preparation

Domain 2: The Classroom Environment

Domain 3: Instruction

Domain 4: Professional Responsibilities

 

The elements and rubrics for the components of each domain have been integrated into the progress gates through which students must pass in order to continue moving forward in the Education Program. The Progress Gates are:

 

Gate One

Before registration for initial (300 level) education courses, the student must have:

• General admission into Nevada State College;
• A resume;
• A 500-word typed essay entitled: "Why I Want to Become a Teacher";
• An official transcript of all college course work;
• Proof of knowledge of competency in core subjects, including writing and technology;
• Passing score on the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST or Praxis I);
• Clear FBI fingerprinting check;
• Clear Tuberculin (TB) test;
• Successful interview; and
• GPA of 2.5 or better.

Gate Two

Before acceptance into the internship the student must have:

• GPA of 2.8 or better
• A passing score on the Praxis II subject area and pedagogy tests;
• An assessment of the student portfolio, which will be a structured collection of the student's progress, achievements, contributions, and efforts that is selective, reflective, and collaborative and demonstrates accomplishments through the education courses leading up to the internship or internship experience;
• An interview.

Gate Three

Before successful completion of the internship, the students must:

• Tier 1: Using the framework rubrics, the student will continually self assess and reflect upon his/her present level of effectiveness as a teacher and the growth areas which he/she must focus upon and seek assistance if necessary.
• Tier 2: Using the student's self assessment and the cooperating teacher's and college supervisor's observation notes, (which are based upon the framework rubrics), the intern, cooperating teacher and the college supervisor will regularly review the intern's progress and plan for his/her growth in effectiveness.
• Tier 3: The cooperating teacher and the college supervisor will review the student's progress in becoming an effective teacher and assign a final grade for the internship experience. The final assessment will be used by the Program and receiving school district (CCSD, etc.), as a starting point for planning for the new teacher's special induction and staff development needs.

 

Gate Four

Program Completion Requirements:

• Completion of a minimum of 128 credits with an overall GPA of 2.80 or better;
• Completion of major requirements for secondary school teachers;
• Certification of mastery in writing, technology, and diversity by student's presentation of portfolio to college-wide review board;
• Recommendation of Teacher Preparation Program faculty to the College President.

 

Transfer Policy:  Any candidate for student teaching who has transferred to NSC must fulfill all specific requirements and have completed at least 15 hours in residence, including nine credits in professional education courses.  Additional courses, as determined by the advisor or the Department Chair, may be required of the student.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

I.       Core Curriculum

1. English (12 credits)

1.      ENG 101 - Composition I ........................... 3

2.      ENG 102 - Composition II .......................... 3

Note: Students who place into ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101

3.      ENG 282 - Introduction to Language and Literary Expression.......................... 3

4.      ENG 297 - Reading and Interpreting .......................... 3

B.      Study and Technology Skills (2 credits)

1.      CEP 121 - Introduction to the College Experience.......................... 1

2.      CEP 122 - Enhancing Academic Success.......................... 1

3. Natural Sciences (12 credits)

Include one course from each of the categories listed below - Life, Physical, and Earth - and include one course with an associated laboratory. 

                   Life Sciences

                   Physical Sciences

CHEM 105 - Chemistry, Man and Society .............................. . 3

CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I..................... 4

CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II.................... 4

PHYS 151 - General Physics I............................ 4

PHYS 152 - General Physics II........................... 4

                   Earth Sciences

AST 103 - Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System .......................... 3

AST 104/105 - Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies/Lab.......................... 4  

GEOG 117 - Introduction to Meteorology............................... . 3

GEOL 100 - Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Natural Disasters .......................... 3

GEOL 101 - Geology: Exploring Planet Earth .......................... 4

GEOL 102 - Earth and Life through Time................................. 4

4. Mathematics and Logic (12 credits)

1.      MATH 120 OR Higher.................................. 3

2.      MATH 122 - Number Concepts for Elementary School Teachers.......................... 3

3.      MATH 123 - Statistical and Geometrical Concepts for Elementary School Teachers.......................... 3

4.      PHIL 102 - Critical Thinking and Reasoning.......................... 3

5. Social Sciences (3 credits) - Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum

6. Fine Arts (3 credits) - Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum

7. Humanities (6 credits) - Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum

8. Constitution (3-6 credits) - Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum

9. Community-Based Capstone Course (3 credits) - Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum

II.      Education Courses ........................................................ 60

1.      CI 360 - Language Arts and Literature K-3 ........................... . 3

2.      CI 361 - Language Arts and Literature 4-8 ........................... . 3

3.      CI 362 - Teaching Mathematics in Grades K-8.......................... 3

4.      CI 364 - Science in the Elementary School ............................ 3

5.      Cl 366 - Social Studies in the Elementary School.......................... 3

6.      CI 405 - Literacy Instruction: Individual and Small Group .......................... 3

7.      Cl 431 - ESL Instruction in the Elem. School .......................... 3

8.      CI 460 - Supervised Internship in Elementary Education  .......................... 12

9.      CI 467 - Teaching Writing throughout the Curriculum  .......................... 3

10.   COM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication .......................... 3

11.   EDU 201 - Introduction to Elementary Education.......................... 3

12.   EDU 203 - Introduction to Special Education .......................... 3

13.   EDU 204 - Info. Technology in Teaching........................... 3

14.   EDU 206 - Classroom Learning Environments.......................... 3

15.   EL 401 - Law and Ethics for Educators .......................... 3

16.   PSY 307 - Principles of Educational Psych.......................... 3

17.   PSY 430 - Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood.......................... 3

 

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

 

Liberal Studies .................................................................... 62

Education Courses ............................................................ 60

Electives ................................................................................ 6

Total Credits ...................................................................... 128

 

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Bilingual Education

I.       Core Curriculum

1. English (12 credits)

1.      ENG 101 - Composition I ........................... 3

2.      ENG 102 - Composition II .......................... 3

Note: Students who place into ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101

3.      ENG 282 - Introduction to Language and Literary Expression........................3

4.      ENG 297 - Reading and Interpreting........................3

B.      Study and Technology Skills (2 credits)

1.      CEP 121 - Introduction to the College Experience ........................1

2.      CEP 122 - Enhancing Academic Success........................1

3. Natural Sciences (12 credits)

Include one course from each of the categories listed below - Life, Physical, and Earth - and include one course with an associated laboratory. 

                   Life Sciences

BIOL 100 - General Biology for Non-Majors........................4

BIOL 189 - Fundamentals of Life Science........................4

BIOL 196 - Principles of Modern Biology I........................4

BIOL 197 - Principles of Modern Biology II........................4

ENV 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science ....... 3

                   Physical Sciences

CHEM 105 - Chemistry, Man and Society ..... 3

CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I..................... 4

CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II.................... 4

PHYS 151 - General Physics I............................ 4

PHYS 152 - General Physics II........................... 4

                   Earth Sciences

AST 103 - Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System........................3

AST 104/105 - Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies/Lab........................3

GEOG 117 - Introduction to Meteorology........................3

GEOL 100 - Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Natural Disasters........................3

GEOL 101 - Geology: Exploring Planet Earth........................4

GEOL 102 - Earth and Life through Time.........................4

4. Mathematics and Logic (12 credits)

1.      MATH 120 OR Higher.................................. 3

2.      MATH 122 - Number Concepts for Elementary School Teachers........................3

3.      MATH 123 - Statistical and Geometrical Concepts for Elementary School Teachers........................3

4.      PHIL 102 - Critical Thinking and Reasoning........................3

5. Social Sciences (3 credits)

Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum

6. Fine Arts (3 credits)

Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum

7. Humanities (6 credits)

Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum

8. Constitution (3-6 credits)

Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum

9. Community-Based Capstone Course (3 credits)

Refer to the Community-based Capstone of Core Curriculum

II.      Education Courses ........................................................ 60

1.      CI 360 - Language Arts and Literature K-3........................3

2.      CI 362 - Teaching Mathematics in Grades K-8........................3

3.      CI 364 - Science in the Elementary School ........................3

4.      Cl 366 - Social Studies in the Elementary School........................3

5.      CI 405 - Literacy Instruction: Individual and Small Group ........................3

6.      Cl 431 - ESL Instruction in the Elem. School ........................3

7.      CI 460 - Supervised Internship in Elementary Education........................12

8.      CI 465 - Development of Curriculum, Materials, & Teaching Methods for Bilingual Education........................3

9.      CI 467 - Teaching Writing throughout the Curriculum........................3

10.   CI 469 - Testing & Evaluating Pupils of a Second Language in English & Their Native Language........................3

11.   CI 485 - Methods of Teaching Students in their Native Language, an Integrated Approach........................3

12.   COM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication........................3

13.   EDU 201 - Introduction to Elementary Education........................3

14.   EDU 203 - Introduction to Special Education ........................3

15.   EDU 204 - Info. Technology in Teaching........................3

16.   EDU 206 - Classroom Learning Environments ........................3

17.   EL 401 - Law and Ethics for Educators........................3

18.   PSY 307 - Principles of Educational Psych........................3

19.   PSY 430 - Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood........................3

 

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a concentration in Bilingual Education

 

Liberal Studies .................................................................... 62

Education Courses ............................................................ 66

Total Credits ...................................................................... 128

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Special Education

I.       Core Curriculum

1. English (12 credits)

1.      ENG 101 - Composition I ........................... 3

2.      ENG 102 - Composition II .......................... 3

Note: Students who place into ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101

3.      ENG 282 - Introduction to Language and Literary Expression........................3

4.      ENG 297 - Reading and Interpreting........................3

B.      Study and Technology Skills (2 credits)

1.      CEP 121 - Introduction to the College Experience........................1

2.      CEP 122 - Enhancing Academic Success........................1

3. Natural Sciences (12 credits)

Include one course from each of the categories listed below - Life, Physical, and Earth - and include one course with an associated laboratory. 

                   Life Sciences

BIOL 100 - General Biology for Non-Majors........................4

BIOL 189 - Fundamentals of Life Science........................4

BIOL 196 - Principles of Modern Biology I........................4

BIOL 197 - Principles of Modern Biology II........................4

ENV 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science........................3

                   Physical Sciences

CHEM 105 - Chemistry, Man and Society ..... 3

CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I..................... 4

CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II.................... 4

PHYS 151 - General Physics I............................ 4

PHYS 152 - General Physics II........................... 4

                   Earth Sciences

AST 103 - Introductory Astronomy: The Solar System...........................3               

AST 104/105 - Introductory Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies/Lab...........................4

GEOG 117 - Introduction to Meteorology....... 3

GEOL 100 - Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Natural Disasters...........................3

GEOL 101 - Geology: Exploring Planet Earth ...........................4

GEOL 102 - Earth and Life through Time...............................4

4. Mathematics and Logic (12 credits)

1.      MATH 120 OR Higher.................................. 3

2.      MATH 122 - Number Concepts for Elementary School Teachers ...........................3

3.      MATH 123 - Statistical and Geometrical Concepts for Elementary School Teachers ...........................3

4.      PHIL 102 - Critical Thinking and Reasoning...........................3

5. Social Sciences (3 credits)

Refer to the Social Science section of the Core Curriculum

6. Fine Arts (3 credits)

Refer to the Fine Arts section of the Core Curriculum

7. Humanities (6 credits)

Refer to the Humanities section of the Core Curriculum

8. Constitution (3-6 credits)

Refer to the Constitution section of the Core Curriculum

9. Community-Based Capstone Course (3 credits)

Refer to the Community-based Capstone of Core Curriculum

II.      Education Courses ........................................................ 72

1.      CI 360 - Language Arts and Literature K-3 ...........................3

2.      CI 361 - Language Arts and Literature 4-8...........................3

3.      CI 362 - Teaching Mathematics in Grades K-8...........................3

4.      CI 364 - Science in the Elementary School...........................3

5.      Cl 366 - Social Studies in the Elementary School...........................3

6.      CI 367 - Management and Accommodation or Modification of the Classroom...........................3

7.      CI 368 - Assessment of Pupils with Disabilities...........................3

8.      CI 369 - Career Education for Pupils with Disabilities...........................3

9.      CI 405 - Literacy Instruction: Individual and Small Group...........................3

10.   CI 410 - Special Education Curriculum: General Method...........................3

11.   CI 413 - Serving Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families...........................3

12.   Cl 431 - ESL Instruction in the Elem. School ...........................3

13.   CI 460 - Supervised Internship in Elementary Education...........................12

14.   COM 101 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication...........................3

15.   EDU 201 - Introduction to Elementary Education...........................3

16.   EDU 203 - Introduction to Special Education ...........................3

17.   EDU 204 - Info. Technology in Teaching.............................3

18.   EDU 206 - Classroom Learning Environments ...........................3

19.   EL 401 - Law and Ethics for Educators ............................3

20.   PSY 307 - Principles of Educational Psych...........................3

21.   PSY 430 - Developmental Psychology: Infancy and Childhood...........................3

 

Summary of credit requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education

 

Core Curriculum.................................................................. 62

Education Courses ............................................................ 72

Total Credits ...................................................................... 134

 

Concentration in Secondary Education

These courses (42 credits) when combined with the core curriculum and a major in Biology, English, Environmental and Resource Science, History, or Mathematics prepare students for a career in secondary education.

 

CI 350 - Secondary Pedagogy I.......................................... 3

CI 370 - Methods in (specific subject area)....................... 3

CI 409 - Students with Disabilities in the Classroom. ...........................3

CI 450 - Secondary Pedagogy II......................................... 3

CI 456 - Second Language Instruction in Secondary Education ...........................3

CI 467 - Teaching Writing Throughout The Curriculum...........................3

CI 551 - Supervised Internship in Secondary Education...........................12

EDU 202 - Introduction to Secondary Education.......... 3

EL 401 - Law & Ethics for Educators................................. 3

PSY 307 - Principles of Educational Psychology......... 3

PSY 434 - Developmental Psychology: Adolescence to Adulthood...........................3