THIS IS A DELAWARE LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WITH CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS. Students taking courses to satisfy certification requirements are personally responsible for verifying with the Delaware Department of Education (or the appropriate licensure/certification authority in another state) that such course work is applicable and acceptable. Students are also responsible for meeting all state-mandated testing requirements and/or teaching experience requirements, and for applying for credentials.
Admission
In addition to general admissions requirements, admission to this degree program requires applicants to have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or have a GPA in the top 50th percentile for coursework completed during the most recent two years of the applicant’s general education, whether secondary or post-secondary.
Admission to the Bachelor of Science 6-8 degree program requires the following:
1. Complete and submit the Application for Admission, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee.
2. Submit an official high school transcript.
3. Applicants are also asked to provide official and complete score reports from the Praxis Core exam and/or test results from the SAT or ACT demonstrating mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write and compute. This is to provide the College of Education with data that can satisfy national program accreditation requirements.
NOTE: These test scores will NOT affect admissions decisions, but are used to comply with program approval and accreditation standards.
It is important for candidates to identify Wilmington University as an official score recipient. This enables scores to be sent directly, confidentially, and electronically. Otherwise, candidates must provide original copies of all official score reports. For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to www.ETS.org. Visit College Board to have SAT or ACT scores sent to Wilmington University.
4. Schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor to discuss program requirements and expectations.
After completing all of the above, register for EDU 102 (E-Folio) and EDU 203 (Instructional Technology for Educators. These courses are prerequisites for all other courses in the program.
Content and Performance Assessment Requirements
State-approved degree programs contribute to eligibility for licensure/certification as an educator in Delaware public schools. As such, all applicants for a Delaware Initial Teaching License must meet the content and performance assessment requirements described in DE Administrative Code .
Content Assessment
By regulation, “Where a content readiness exam is applicable and available in area, subject, or category of specialization sought, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score on an examination as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with concurrence of the State Board.”
The assessments and minimum test score requirements established by the Delaware Department of Education for this degree program are dependent on the candidate's area of concentration.
The required assessment is dependent on the candidate’s area of concentration. The exam choices are:
| Test |
Score |
| ETS 5047 English Language Arts |
164 |
| ETS 5440 Science |
150 |
| ETS 5169 Mathematics |
165 |
| ETS 5089 Social Studies |
164 |
Please note that state-mandated licensure/certification exams and minimum score requirements are subject to change by the Delaware Department of Education. Any changes mandated by the Department of Education will be implemented as required by state regulation.
Performance Assessment
The State of Delaware requires that new teachers achieve a passing score on a state-approved performance assessment in order to be fully licensed. The performance assessment may not be scored by any employees of the Educator Preparation Program or Unit. It is scored by Nationally Certified ETS Reviewers not associated with Wilmington University. The assessment used by Wilmington University to satisfy this requirement is the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT).
Completing this assessment is a student teaching requirement. Candidates must check with their program advisors or program chairs to obtain current and accurate information related to the assessments and minimum scores that are required.
Program Requirements
Teacher candidates are expected to complete all requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Middle Level Education 6-8, including all course work and clinical experiences. The College of Education sets a required minimum grade of “C-” for all Education core courses (ECE, EDU, RDG, and EPY), and an overall cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 3.0.
The Praxis II Content Knowledge test must be taken by EDU 391, Practicum II and passed prior to EDU 451, Student Teaching/Teaching Internship as a condition of entry into EDU 451.
Teacher candidates must designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients at the time the tests are taken.
Fieldwork Requirements
Practicum Courses (Practicum I, II, III)
Each of these three courses require 50 hours of field experience in an approved school setting plus 30 hours of required seminars. Although Practicum courses only require candidates to register and pay for one (1) credit for each course, the courses are actually structured as three (3) credit courses. The reason for this approach is to keep the total credit hours required for the degree as low as possible and still meet state certification requirements. Otherwise, candidates would have to register and pay for an additional 6 credits. This benefit represents a tuition cost savings of more than $2,000.
All practicum placements are arranged by the Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and placement protocols. Final placement decisions are made by school district officials. Candidates are not permitted to seek or make arrangements for their own placements. The 50 hours of field experience required for each practicum will usually take place in the county where the candidate attends the seminars, although this may vary depending on availability of practicum placement classrooms.
To be considered for placement in a K-12 school setting, teacher candidates must complete the Practicum Fieldwork application in Taskstream by the deadlines of February 1 for placement in Fall and August 1 for placement in Spring. At the time of application, a sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a recent TB/PPD (less than a year old) and a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) are required.
Capstone Clinical Experience (Student Teaching/Internship)
The capstone clinical experience is a full-time, full-day, Monday through Friday placement of 80 school days in an approved setting and in a content area/grade level that corresponds to a candidate's program concentration. A full immersion, Yearlong Residency option may also be available. Check with a Program Advisor, Chair or Assistant Chair for more information.
Teacher candidates must apply to the Office of Clinical Studies for a Student Teaching/Internship placement for the Fall semester by February 1 or for the Spring semester by August 1. Student Teaching/Teaching Internship applications are to be submitted electronically in Taskstream. Applications do NOT take the place of registering for Student Teaching/Internship. Registration and payment of all fees, including laboratory fees for Student Teaching/Internship, are still required. At the time of application, a new and sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a new TB/PPD, a completed health form, and a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) are required.
Placement and registration requirements include the following: Passing scores on the relevant PRAXIS II exam, a 3.0 grade point average, a completed application in Taskstream and all required clearance items.
All placements are arranged by placement specialists in the WilmU Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and protocols. However, final placement decisions are made by school district officials and are based on school and district needs and the availability of school-based mentors who are rated as highly-qualified and effective. Candidates are not permitted to seek or make arrangements for their own placements.
Curriculum
Courses required of all Middle Level Education Candidates
General Education Requirements (32 credits)
Fine Arts Requirements (6 credits)
Select 2 courses from:
Social and Behavioral Science Courses (9 credits)
| PSY 332 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| PSY 333 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Education Courses (33 credits)
| EDU 102 | E-Folio | 0 |
| EDU 203 | Instructional Technology | 3 |
| EDU 204 | Leadership and Collaboration | 3 |
| EDU 307 | Instructional Strategies in Middle Level Education | 3 |
| EDU 308 | Teaching in the Middle School | 3 |
| EDU 310 | Applied Behavior Analysis and Classroom Culture | 3 |
| EDU 311 | Assistive Technology | 3 |
| EDU 313 | Classroom Culture and Student Behavior | 3 |
| EPY 304 | Advising and Mentoring in the Middle School | 3 |
| EPY 201 | Development and Implementation of IEPs | 3 |
| EPY 402 | Learning Differences and Assessment of Exceptional Children | 3 |
| RDG 308 | Diagnosis and Correction of Learning Differences in Reading | 3 |
Content Area Courses
English/LA Content
| EDU 407 | Integrated Approaches to Teaching Middle Level Language Arts/Reading | 3 |
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| COM 431 | Media and Society | 3 |
| ENG 200 | English Grammar | 3 |
| ENG 320 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| LIT 205 | World/Non-Western Literature | 3 |
| LIT 302 | Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| LIT 400 | Multicultural Literature | 3 |
| LIT 410 | Non-Fiction Literature | 3 |
Mathematics Content
Science Content
Social Studies Content
| EDU 408 | Integrated Approaches to Teaching Middle Level Social Science | 3 |
| HIS 300 | World and Regional Geography | 3 |
| HIS 316 | American History | 3 |
| HIS 324 | Delaware History | 3 |
| POL 300 | American Politics | 3 |
| POL 326 | Public Policy and Social Issues | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 306 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| SOC 320 | Society and Technology | 3 |
Clinical Components (15 credits)
EDU 452 must be taken in conjunction with EDU 451 Student Teaching
This is a state-approved degree program which contributes to eligibility for a State of Delaware Initial Teaching License and Certification as a classroom teacher in Grades 6-8 (EPY 201, EDU 310, EDU 311, EPY 402, and RDG 308). The program also includes all the coursework necessary for Delaware certification as a Special Education teacher, Grades 6-8, in the content area(s) that correspond to a candidate’s content area major (English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science or Mathematics). To qualify for the additional certification in Special Education, candidates need to take and pass ETS Praxis II Exam #5354, Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications. The minimum score requirement for Delaware is 151).
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