Skip Navigation
Academic Catalog 2022/2023

Education

Bachelor of Science

The Education major has three options:

  • Early Childhood Development
  • Elementary Education
  • Secondary Education

Additionally, students in two specialized programs that lead to K-12 certification – Physical Education Teacher Certification and Music Education – take courses offered in the program.

Building on the historical legacy of teacher preparation at Keene State College, the Education program's mission is to prepare competent, reflective classroom teachers and other professional school personnel who utilize effective teaching practices and who create developmentally appropriate educational environments for diverse learners. We integrate liberal arts knowledge and professional preparation for each program we offer and incorporate state and national standards for each specialty area. Keene State College has been an NCATE accredited institution since 1954; each education program option meets state and national standards and prepares teacher candidates who demonstrate appropriate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, ability to impact student learning, and professionalism.

Our curriculum is based on the KSC Educator Preparation Conceptual Framework, which states that we prepare teacher candidates who: (1) explore the dynamic nature of the teaching and learning process, (2) demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors that meet high expectations and standards, (3) understand the world from multiple perspectives, and (4) contribute to a just and equitable world. The coursework builds on ecological theories of human development and examines the contexts in which educational systems exist from the perspective of multiple worldviews. Students thereby develop an understanding of themselves as learners and future teachers as they examine the ways in which developmental theories can be helpful in understanding children and curriculum. Field experiences are systematically integrated throughout the program to provide authentic theory-to-practice opportunities for exploring effective pedagogy and assessment strategies.

Admission to Keene State College does not necessarily guarantee admission to Educator Preparation, admission to Student Teaching, or eligibility for certification. Students are assigned an official advisor upon acceptance into the Educator Preparation program. Materials for application to the Educator Preparation program are available in the Educator Preparation and Graduate Studies Office in Rhodes Hall S111.

Transfer Credits

Students who wish to transfer credits into a teacher certification option must apply through the department chair. Transfer students are advised to contact the department chair immediately after acceptance to obtain information about admission to Educator Preparation, PRAXIS testing requirements, and transfer equivalencies.

Students seeking certification in Middle or Secondary Education (option 3) are required to complete a liberal arts major in one of the following areas:

  • American Studies
  • Anthropology/Sociology
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Chemistry-Physics
  • Economics
  • English (Literature option)
  • Geography
  • History
  • Holocaust and Genocide Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Modern Languages (Spanish)
  • Politics
  • Sociology
  • STEM (for Middle School Science Educators option)

For a dual major in Education, please refer to the appropriate Education program option.

Students seeking certification to become a K-12 Music Educator or K-12 Physical Educator will complete the Music Education or Physical Education Teacher Certification major. See the appropriate catalog section (Music or Physical Education) for these program requirements.

Integrative Studies Requirements

40 credits minimum

All students in an educator preparation program must meet the New Hampshire General Education Studies standard (Ed 609.01). This standard is met by successful completion of Keene State College Integrative Studies program. Some Education options require specific courses outside of the Education major; these courses may be included in the student's Integrative Studies program (if appropriate courses are available).

Major Requirements

Numbering conventions – middle digit:

  • 0 = open to all options (but not necessarily required)
  • 1 = early childhood only
  • 2 = elementary only
  • 3 = middle school/secondary only
  • 4 = K-12 Music only

1. Early Childhood Development Option

52 credits, plus academic minor. Students must select an academic minor, other than the Early Childhood minor, to complement their Early Childhood Development Option.

Students will gain a multidisciplinary understanding of early childhood development from Birth to Age 5. The program integrates theory and practice with children and families in inclusive settings from infancy through preschool and provides pre-professional field experiences. This major provides students with experiences with children from Birth through Age 5 in inclusive early childhood environments. Students will gain knowledge and experience with diverse learners, child development, family involvement, curriculum and assessment, and leadership.

Students who successfully complete the requirements for the Birth to Age 5 major will be eligible to apply for the New Hampshire Early Childhood Teacher Credential (Level 5) via the Department of Health and Human Services. For more information, please see https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcyf/cdb/profdev.htm

Criteria for Continued Progress in the Major

Students may officially declare a Major in Education at any time. However, continued progress through the Major and its options depends on meeting course prerequisites as well as the Educator Preparation Program Decision Points.
(See http://www.keene.edu/office/teachered/students/decision-points/)
Students will be given support with program planning throughout their time at KSC, and are encouraged to work with their faculty advisors regularly to review how they are meeting progress and eligibility requirements.

Fees

Additional expenses associated with options within the education program include the following:

  • Travel to field placement sites is required. Some placements are beyond walking distance from campus and students are responsible for their own transportation.
  • Students are responsible for expenses associated with required criminal history record information (fingerprinting) and background checks for field placement sites.
  • Students are responsible to pay fees associated with the application to Educator Preparation and once admitted, for a Tk20 account. Tk20 is a program used for data management for accreditation purposes.

Option Requirements:

EDUC 111 Issues in Early Childhood
MATH 171 Structure of Number Systems
EDSP 202 Development, Exceptionality, and Learning
EDUC 205 Literacy in Diverse Classrooms
EDUC 211 Infants, Toddlers, Families
EDUC 314 EC Practicum 1: Curriculum (8 credits)
EDUC 315 EC Practicum 2: Observation, Assessment, & Intervention (8 credits)
EDUC 412 Early Childhood Administration & Leadership
EDUC 414 Early Childhood Classroom Teaching (B-5) (12 Credits)

Select Specialization 1 or 2

2. Elementary Education Option

54 credits, plus liberal arts major

This option provides students with a multidisciplinary understanding of teaching and learning in the elementary grades and the skills and dispositions that will prepare them to teach in today's elementary schools. The program includes theory and practice with children from kindergarten to grade 6 and fulfills requirements for NH Elementary Education (K-6) teacher certification. A liberal arts major is required in addition to the Education, Elementary option, major.

Criteria for Continued Progress in the Major

Students may officially declare a Major in Education at any time. However, continued progress through the Major and its options depends on meeting course prerequisites, demonstrating competence in the content of the subject matter taught in Elementary schools, as well as the Educator Preparation Program Decision Points.
(See http://www.keene.edu/academics/departments/teachered/students/decision-points/.)
Students will be given support with program planning throughout their time at KSC, and are encouraged to work with their faculty advisors regularly to review how they are meeting progress and eligibility requirements.

Our Department’s conceptual framework states that we strive to prepare professionals who:

  • Explore the dynamic nature of the teaching and learning process,
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviors that meet high expectations and standards,
  • Understand the world from multiple perspectives, and
  • Contribute to a just and equitable world.

Fees

Additional expenses associated with the options within the Education program include the following:

  • Students seeking state certification are responsible for taking state-required standardized tests and completing the certification application.
  • Travel to field placement sites is required. Some placements are beyond walking distance from campus and students are responsible for their own transportation.
  • Students are responsible for expenses associated with required criminal history record information (fingerprinting) and background checks for field placement sites.
  • Students are responsible for fees associated with the application to Educator Preparation and once admitted, for a Tk20 account. Tk20 is a program used for data management for accreditation purposes.

Option Requirements:

EDUC 121 Issues in Elementary Education
EDSP 202 Development, Exceptionality, and Learning
EDUC 205 Literacy in Diverse Classrooms
EDUC 321 Elementary Methods I: Integrating Literacy and Social Studies (8 credits)
EDUC 322 Elementary Methods II: Integrating Math, Science, and Literacy (8 credits)
EDUC 400 Student Teaching (12 credits)
EDUC 420 Elementary Student Teaching Seminar (2 credits)
MATH 171 Structure of Number Systems
MATH 172 Application of Number Systems

Select one "understanding equity" course:

  • II 330 Toward a Just and Equitable World
  • IIEDUC 306 Women and Education

K-8 Recommendation

For a K-8 recommendation:

  • Complete all requirements for K-6 recommendation
  • Have a content concentration in:
    • English/language arts
    • Mathematics
    • Social Studies
    • General Science
  • Have a passing middle school content Praxis II score in the given content area

Liberal Arts Major

The New Hampshire State Department of Education requires students completing Education majors to also demonstrate depth of knowledge in a content area. Therefore, Education, Elementary option, majors must also fulfill requirements of a liberal arts major; see list below for acceptable majors.

  • Anthropology/Sociology
  • Art
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Communication
  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • English
  • Environmental Studies
  • Film Studies
  • History
  • Holocaust and Genocide Studies
  • Individualized Major
  • Journalism
  • Mathematics
  • Music (audition required)
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Spanish
  • STEM - for Pre-K Through 6th Grade Educators option
  • Theatre and Dance

3. Secondary Education Option

36 credits, plus liberal arts major

This option prepares students to teach middle and high school students in the following disciplines:

  • Biology (Grades 7-12) **
  • Chemistry (Grades 7-12) **
  • English - Literature option (Grades 5-12)
  • Mathematics - Secondary Education option (Grades 5-8 and Grades 7-12)
  • Modern Languages (Spanish - all grades) **
  • Physics (Grades 7-12) **
  • Social Studies - see the multiple programs that offer Social Studies certification (Grades 5-12)

**Effective fall 2021, there will be no admission to the teacher certification program for Biology, Chemistry, Modern languages, & Physics for both current and prospective students as these programs are on administrative hold.

Option Requirements:

EDUC 131 Issues in Secondary Education
EDUC 231 Curriculum for a Diverse World
EDUC 331 Secondary Methods I
EDSP 333 Secondary Special Education and Management
EDUC 431 Secondary Methods II
EDUC 432 Educational Theories/Trends
EDUC 400 Student Teaching (12 credits)

Degree Requirements

120 credits
40 credits at the upper-level

Degree requirements may exceed 120 credits, depending on the choice of liberal arts major.