University of Alaska Fairbanks

1996-1997 catalog

Degrees and Programs

Education

College of Liberal Arts
School of Education
(907) 474-7341

Minimum Requirements for Degrees:

B.Ed: minimum of 130 credits
Ed.S.: 36 credits beyond master's degree and 60 credits beyond baccalaureate
Post Baccalaureate: Elementary certification minimum of 45 credits
Secondary certification and K-12 certification minimum of 33 credits.

I. LICENSURE AND ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

Teaching licenses are issued by the State of Alaska Department of Education. Students who successfully complete a UAF Education program including student teaching will meet the current academic requirements for Alaska licensure. Students interested in teaching in a state other than Alaska should consult the licensure department for that state to obtain specific licensure requirements.

All UAF education programs are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and follow the standards for NCATE review. These programs are also approved by the State of Alaska Department of Education.

Students may contact the Office of Certification and Advising in the UAF School of Education or the rural faculty at the nearest campus for additional information and support.

II. ADMISSION TO TEACHER EDUCATION

In addition to being accepted by the University, all students wishing to be licensed must also formally apply for admission to the Fairbanks elementary education program or secondary post-baccalaureate program offered on the Fairbanks campus, or the rural elementary or secondary education program offered on the rural campuses. Admission requirements may be found on the following pages.

Continuation in these programs is based upon the maintenance of satisfactory performance in all areas of the program. A student who fails student teaching will be exited from the program, and further involvement is dependent upon a reapplication process. See the Coordinator of the Office of Practica Experience regarding this procedure.

III. EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Education programs at the University of Alaska Fairbanks have the responsibility for preparing highly qualified professionals in education who are prepared to teach in both urban and rural Alaska, and to work with multicultural and minority students, especially Alaska Native students.

These education programs are offered through two delivery systems: resident programs at the Fairbanks campus, and distance education programs through the Rural Education Program at the following rural campus areas: Barrow (Arctic Sivunmun Ilisagvik), Bethel (Kuskokwim), Dillingham (Bristol Bay), Interior Campus, Kotzebue (Chukchi), and Nome (Northwest).

A. Fairbanks Campus Resident Program

Offered at the Fairbanks campus are resident programs leading to both elementary and secondary teaching licenses. These programs are designed for full-time students, although part-time students are accommodated when possible. The professional year, the last year in the program, is an intensive compressed integrated curriculum that incorporates university classwork with practicum experiences and culminates in student teaching. It requires a full-time commitment since students are placed in the school for methods' practicum experiences and student teaching.

Available at the Fairbanks campus are a Bachelor of Education degree program in elementary education, an elementary education minor with licensure, an elementary education minor without licensure, a general education minor, a post-baccalaureate elementary education program (a minimum of the elementary minor), and a secondary licensure program (post-baccalaureate). A Bachelors of Education degree in secondary education is no longer available at the Fairbanks campus. A student wishing to be licensed for secondary teaching must complete the bachelor's degree requirements, including all requirements for a licensable major, before entering the Secondary Post-Baccalaureate Program.

B. Rural Education Program

The rural program is the teacher education program offered through the University of Alaska Fairbanks' rural campuses to serve the unique educational needs of Alaska's village residents. Full-time education faculty members are responsible for coordinating program activities within each region through the regional campuses. The rural program offers full-time undergraduate coursework in education for students seeking a B.Ed. degree in either elementary or secondary education. Available degree majors, minors and concentration areas are limited by faculty resources. Priority for enrollment in field-based courses is given to students formally admitted to the program, but are available to other students on a space-available basis and with permission of the instructor. Applicants for admission to the program are reviewed and recommended by regional panels.

In addition, the rural program provides supplemental services including workshops, technical assistance and other support services as time and resources permit. All inquiries should be addressed to the program coordinator's office at each campus, or the Director, School of Education, Fairbanks campus.

IV. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

To be recommended for an elementary teaching certificate, a student must complete the requirements of one of the following three options: A) B.Ed. in Elementary Education, B) Minor in Elementary Education with licensure, or C) Post-Baccalaureate Licensure in Elementary Education. All three options are available both at the Fairbanks campus and through the rural program.

Students admitted to either the Fairbanks Teacher Education program or the rural program may transfer between programs without reapplying for admission. However, it is important to note that the programs have different requirements, placement procedures, and timetables. The Office of Certification and Advising will assist transferring students.

Students graduating under earlier catalog requirements will substitute ED 410, 411, 412, and 413 for the past required courses ED 381, 419 and 421.

V. SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

To be recommended for a secondary teaching license, a student must complete the requirements of one of the following three options:

Secondary Licensure: Post-Baccalaureate Program (Fairbanks Campus only)
B.Ed in Secondary Education (Rural Program, distance delivery only)
OR
Secondary Licensure: Rural Program (distance delivery only).

Admission procedures and criteria for admission to the rural secondary education program are the same as those for the rural elementary education program. Admission procedures and criteria for admission to Fairbanks' Secondary Post-Baccalaureate Program are discussed below.

VI. OTHER PROGRAMS

International Exchange Programs

The School of Education offers two international exchange programs, one with the Soviet Union and one with Japan. Both programs offer students an excellent opportunity to study and teach abroad. The Soviet Exchange Program is with Magadan State Pedagogical Institute, and allows a short term exchange (3 to 4 weeks) and a long term exchange (one semester or one academic year). The Japan Exchange Program is with Hokkaido University of Education in Sapporo, Japan. During the one month exchange, UAF students who have completed student teaching will complete a three-week teaching internship in Japanese schools and participate in an orientation and program debriefing at Hokkaido University. Students interested in these programs are encouraged to begin language study in the appropriate language as undergraduates.