Welcome Prospective Students

Thinking about Education as a major? The School of Education at Anderson University is the place for you. Our faculty and staff will help you to get the most out of your education here at AU.

How your degree begins: Students thinking about majoring in education should attend an information meeting. At the meeting, you will obtain information regarding program requirements, licensure options, and curriculum courses of study. Additionally, information meetings with the Dean are held throughout each semester.

The mission of the teacher education program at Anderson University is to prepare competent professional educators who demonstrate excellence in knowledge, practices, and dispositions and who model values of character. Our program is anchored in Anderson University’s commitment to the liberal arts curriculum for the humanities, fine arts, mathematics, and social and natural sciences, as the essential foundation for developing competent educators. Students in the program for teacher education develop their professional knowledge, skills and dispositions through:

  • Knowledge and mastery of subject matter
  • Knowledge of human development and its implications for the learner
  • Understanding of social and cultural relationships
  • Understanding the interrelationship of curriculum, instruction, and assessment
  • Practice of critical inquiry and reflection on teaching and learning
  • Development of effective communication
  • Understanding of philosophical, historical, and sociological foundations of education

The School of Education offers undergraduate professional education in courses leading to licensing in early and middle childhood, adolescence, and adolescence/young adulthood. Students may also receive a major in Elementary Education and licensing in Special Education.

Careful attention is given to sequencing of students' programs.

• A sequence of liberal arts education
  As prospective educators, students in teacher preparation programs need a sound general education in addition to the specialized professional study. This curriculum component is given serious consideration in selecting candidates for teacher education. Students must demonstrate their capability to achieve a 2.50 grade point average on their general studies courses are considered for admission to the Teacher Education Program.

• A professional education component

Professional Studies provide a frame of reference for students' observation of and participation in school activities. Through examining issues relevant to a rapidly changing social order, prospective teachers are made aware of the challenges of teaching students who have diverse cultural backgrounds. The course work provided through this curriculum component is supported extensively through experiential learning activities, both in simulated and in field-based classroom settings. To view education courses see the Undergraduate Catalog.

• Performance-Based Field experiences

Preparation of teachers at Anderson University is field based and places students in classrooms as observers, assistants, and teachers throughout their course preparation. Observing education professionals at work and assisting with selected tasks provide you with an introduction to the profession. The student teaching experience provides students with opportunities to plan and implement instruction, manage the classroom, evaluate student progress, communicate with other professionals and parents, and develop as professional educators under the supervision and mentoring of university and school personnel.

Majors

• Elementary Education (Primary/Intermediate (K-5))
• Elementary Education and Special Education Dual Certification
• Senior High/Middle School (Grades 6-12)
• English - Language Arts
• French
• Spanish
• Health and Safety
• Mathematics
• Music (K-12, Vocal, Instrumental, General Music)
• Physical Education (K-12 area major only; 6-12 major)
• Biology (Life Science)
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Social Studies (Economics, Government and Citizenship, Psychology, Sociology, Historical Perspectives)
• Visual Arts (K-12 major only; 6-12 major)