Don A. Williams School of Education

Stevens Associate Professor Gene Whitfill, Dean

Professors James Antenen, Don Ashley, J.B. Boren, Robert Carpenter, Barbara Carr, Dean Daniel, Jo Beth DeSoto, Linda Hutcherson, Keri James, Judy Jarratt, Don Knox, Michael Outlaw, Jerry Price , Tony Strange, Peggy Wilson

Associate Professors Tamara Callahan, Joseph Fikes, Richard Hendershot, Charles Huang, Sylvia Phipps, Tim Powers, Elane Seebo

Assistant Professors Candi Dierenfield, Trisha Giacommazi, Ingrid Graves, Sharon McCall, Karen Quebe, Ernest Rahn, Debbie Stennett

Instructors Brad Bass, Jim Giacomazzi, Ty Harrelson, Aaron Meister, Shiloh Posey, Landon Schumacher

Lecturer Cristhian Ospina, Alesha Robertson-Ellis, Samantha Templar, Brian Whitlock

Emeritus Professors Kent Brooks, Georgia Flanagan, Virginia Harris, Patricia Herman, June Hogue, Jim Todd

Purpose

The school is named for Don A. Williams in recognition of his support and dedication to education and the involvement with Wayland Baptist University. The Don A. Williams School of Education is composed of two departments that offer undergraduate education: teacher education and exercise and sport science.

Teacher education is a campus-wide commitment. Wayland Baptist University maintains a liberal arts focus and within this framework stresses strong academic foundations. The university believes that its focus is to prepare teachers and leaders in education under the guidance of Christian educators whose focus is on academic, moral and spiritual preparation. The aim of the school is to prepare highly qualified professional educators and leaders in teaching and exercise and sport science. Students are encouraged in the professional preparation by a faculty committed to high ideals within a Christian campus and culture.

Courses of study offered through the school include teacher preparation in elementary, middle school, high school, and special education. Students seeking EC-6, 4-8, or special education certification will complete an academic major within the department of education, and students seeking the 7-12 certification will complete an academic major of their choice in an appropriate school or department. Within the department of exercise and sport science students may acquire certificates to teach physical education and pursue professional studies in various fitness and sport science professions.

The purpose of the professional program offered by the Don A. Williams School of Education is the preparation of students to assume positions as teachers, coaches, and leaders in the public and private schools and assume leadership in the various communities as fitness and health specialists, and sports administrators

The School of Education

Degree/certification programs, which prepare students for elementary, middle school, secondary, and all-level certification, include the following:

♦ Elementary Teacher Certification

Students seeking elementary teacher certification should pursue the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree (B.S.I.S.). A minimum of 124 hours is required for the degree. Students who complete the requirements for the B.S.I.S. degree and who successfully pass the required state competency examinations will fulfill simultaneously all requirements for elementary teacher certification. (See Programs area at the bottom of the page)

♦ Middle School Certification

All middle school degree/certification programs require a minimum of 124 semester hours. Students who complete the requirements for the appropriate degree, fulfill certification requirements, and successfully pass the appropriate state examination tests will satisfy all requirements for middle school teacher certification in their area(s) of preparation. Five certification options are available to students desiring to teach at the middle school level. (See Programs area at the bottom of the page)

♦ Secondary/High School and All-level Teacher Certification

All high school degree/certification programs require a minimum of 124 semester hours. Students who complete the requirements for the appropriate degree, fulfill certification requirements, and successfully pass the appropriate State tests will satisfy all requirements for secondary teacher certification in their area of preparation. Nine certification options are available to students desiring to teach at the high school level: biology/life science, business education, chemistry/physical science, communication (speech), English/language arts, history, mathematics, and social studies.

All-Level Teacher Certification

This option requires a minimum of 36 semester hours in an academic subject. This subject also serves as the student’s major and the professional education sequence serves as the minor field of study. All-level certification is available in art, music, theatre, Spanish, and exercise and sport science. All-level certification allows the holder to teach at the elementary, middle school and high school levels.

Secondary Certification Areas

Depending upon the subject area they wish to teach, students seeking certification as a high school teacher should pursue the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Business Administration, the Bachelor of Music, or the Bachelor of Science degree. Students seeking certification to teach art, communications (speech) English/language arts, history, social studies, or theatre should pursue the Bachelor of Arts degree. Students seeking certification to teach life science (biology), physical science (chemistry, physics), mathematics, or exercise and sport science should pursue the Bachelor of Science degree. Students seeking certification in business education should pursue the Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

Students seeking certification as a music teacher should pursue the Bachelor of Music degree. In each instance, the general education core curriculum must be compatible with the requirements of the degree sought. Degree/certification requirements for each of the secondary/high school certification programs offered by the University follow:

The Department of Exercise and Sport Science

The purpose of the professional program offered by the Don A. Williams School of Education is the preparation of students to assume positions as teachers, coaches, community and recreational leaders, fitness and health specialists, and sports administrators. Courses of study offered through the school include the major, minor, and teaching field in exercise and sport science as well as the minor in coaching. Additional coursework is available for students who are interested in becoming licensed athletic trainers. This plan requires courses from the Exercise and Sport Science major and other specialized courses and experiences as specified by the Texas State Department of Health. Upon graduation, each student in the professional program must have sufficient skills to teach, perform, and assess a variety of physical and recreational pursuits; successfully complete a battery of personal fitness standards; participate in regular and varied physical activity; and successfully pass a knowledge-based exam covering all areas of the field. For more information, the student is directed to see the dean.

One of the areas of human existence that all students have a responsibility to develop is that of physical and emotional well-being, including the development of skills and attitudes that maintain soundness of mind and body. The Don A. Williams School of Education provides an activity course program that has a two-fold emphasis: (1) the teaching of total wellness concepts that include health-related fitness principles; and (2) the development of knowledge and skills in activities that can enhance personal fitness and lead to positive use of leisure time.

Two semester hours of credit in activity courses are required for graduation, unless otherwise in degree specific core. Students are encouraged to complete the two-hour requirement during the freshman and sophomore years. Students who have served two or more years in the Armed Forces are exempt and a DD-214 may be required. Students may not repeat the same activity for credit. Because of the lifetime fitness emphasis of the curriculum, age does not exempt one from activity courses. Adapted physical education is accommodated through a personal conditioning activity course.

The Don A. Williams School of Education is housed within the Van Howeling complex. Courses of study are offered which can simultaneously fulfill university degree requirements as well as the requirements established by the state for elementary, middle school, secondary, and all-level teaching certificates. University degree/certification programs include the academic program requirements specified for a particular degree and the requirements specified for the desired teacher certification. The following sections detail degree programs offered by the University, the courses included in each program, and the general requirements established for certification.