2025-2026 Academic Catalog
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
|
|
 Return to: SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | SASS
Information
Andrew Smith, Ed.D. | Chair
Department of Education
Wilkinson Hall
Washington Adventist University
7600 Flower Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912-7796
301-891-4529 | andsmith@wau.edu
MISSION STATEMENT
The Department of Education seeks to prepare caring educators who are committed to Christian service through the art of reflective teaching.
INTRODUCTION
The program provides a broad-based liberal arts foundation and practical applications that foster the holistic development of students who are liberally educated and professionally prepared.
GOALS
The goals and objectives align with both the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist and Maryland Higher Education Commission Standards. Four primary goals reflect the mission and provide a conceptual framework for preparing educators who:
- Demonstrate that they have acquired foundation knowledge that provides an adequate background for an awareness and appreciation for various areas of knowledge important to content, technology and skills for effective teaching.
- Demonstrate pedagogical skills that enhance learning opportunities in meeting the diverse needs of students.
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills that support the socially interactive processes of teaching and learning in classrooms, collaboration with colleagues and reflect a caring attitude and commitment to professional service based on Christian values.
- Demonstrate reflective thinking as they engage in active evaluation of their educational goals, classroom environment, and professional abilities.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives explain the goals as follows:
FOUNDATION KNOWLEDGE
- Demonstrate mastery of appropriate academic disciplines and a repertoire of teaching techniques.
- Demonstrate an understanding that knowledge of the learner’s physical, cognitive, emotional, social and cultural development is the basis of effective teaching.
- Demonstrate an understanding that a balance in spiritual, mental, physical, social, and professional development is basic to effective service as a professional educator.
PEDAGOGY SKILLS
- Incorporate a multicultural perspective that integrates culturally diverse resources, including those from the learner’s family and community.
- Demonstrate knowledge of strategies for providing learning for students with special needs, as well as for integrating students with special needs into the regular classroom.
- Use valid assessment approaches, both formal and informal, which are age appropriate and address a variety of developmental needs, conceptual abilities, curriculum outcomes and school goals.
- Organize and manage a classroom using approaches supported by student learning needs, research, best practice and expert opinion.
- Use technology to meet student and professional needs.
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding that classrooms and schools are sites of ethical, social, and civic activity.
- Collaborate with the broad educational community, including businesses and social service agencies.
- Demonstrate a caring attitude toward others.
- Demonstrate a commitment to professional service that reflects Christian values.
- Demonstrate reflective thinking ability.
- Engage in careful analysis, problem-solving and reflection in all aspects of teaching.
- Develop a personal philosophy of teaching and learning.
PROGRAM APPROVAL
Program approval received from the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist for the Elementary Education/Special Education Degree with a minor in Secondary Education.
Washington Adventist University’s Teacher Education program has dispositions that include integrity: professionalism, supportive interaction, culture and cultural diversity, and service.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
This program is designed to prepare students for teaching careers in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventist. For careers in the public school system, graduates will need to complete additional employment requirements as specified by the district of employment.
Some openings also exist for Education graduates to serve as church educators directing religious education programs and Bible instruction in local church settings.
ADMISSION TO THE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
Before taking upper-division courses, the student must be admitted to the professional education program.
Admission requires:
- An application submitted to the department chair at the end of the sophomore year for review and approval by the Teacher Education Council (by December 1 for spring admission and by April 1 for fall admission).
- A cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or above.
- An interview with the department faculty.
- Two letters of recommendation (one from a faculty member and one from an employer or residence dean). Obtain department recommendation forms from the Education office.
- Completion of at least 56 semester hours of college credit that include the following courses:
Choose one of the following courses: Credits: 3
ADMISSION TO TEACHING INTERNSHIP
- Meeting all requirements for admission to the Professional Education Program.
- An application submitted to the department chair and/or Field Supervisor for review. Applications are during the semester prior to the first term of teacher candidacy. The application must be approved by the Teacher Education Council.
- A cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or above.
- Two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member in the Department of Education and one from your major area adviser.
- Eighty semester hours of college credit hours that include professional education methods courses where observations and team teaching in classroom settings are included in the course and listed in the syllabus.
Transfer students who wish to complete a student teaching internship must meet requirements for admission to the Student Teaching Internship that include completion of at least 80 semester hours. At least 12 of these hours must be completed at Washington Adventist University in upper-division Professional Education courses.
SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PEP) STUDENTS
Students admitted to the Professional Education Program will be required to complete 10 hours of community service for each year they are in the Professional Education Program.
The minimum number of hours required may be completed in one year or over a two-year period. However, students may complete as many hours as desired.
GUEST STUDENTS NEEDING CERTIFICATION
Guest students must meet citizenship and scholarship standards of the department and the university, including prerequisite requirements for all classes. Those who need certain courses to qualify may do so without completing a specific degree program.
POST-BACCALAUREATE COURSES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Department of Education offers post-baccalaureate courses for those who wish to complete Teacher Education requirements as well as meet the standards for highly qualified teacher provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind requirements.
Enrollment in the post-baccalaureate courses is an option for those who have
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a subject specialization such as liberal studies or one or more specialized school subjects (i.e., English, mathematics, music, and physical education), or
- A contract for employment or at least one year of teaching experience in a K-12 school system. Courses, identified with the CT designation, may be available in the evening and summer formats.
ProgramsBaccalaureate DegreeMinors
Return to: SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES | SASS
|
