College of Education
About the College of Education
The College of Education at Wilmington University is a major provider of educators for schools in Delaware and throughout the region.
Programs in the College of Education range from an associate’s degree in early care and education to doctoral degrees. In addition to teacher preparation degrees in early childhood education, elementary and middle school teaching, special education, and secondary teaching, the College offers degrees and courses of study in a variety of specialized educational areas such as school counseling, school leadership, educational technology, career and technical education, instruction, gifted and talented education, reading, and teaching English to speakers of other languages. At any given time there are about 1,000 Wilmington University students doing supervised fieldwork in schools throughout Delaware and the region.
Vision
We believe that effective professional educators must also be learners who want to share challenging ideas and successful practices with their colleagues. Educators prepared at Wilmington University believe in the importance of hard work and persistence, and in reflecting on and improving the quality of that work. They are committed to collaborating with parents, colleagues, and community stakeholders. They want to create teaching/learning environments that support personal, physical and emotional development; intellectual growth; and high levels of student achievement ... and which also encourage innovation, exploration, creativity and problem-solving. We try to maintain a climate of high expectations, caring, and respect for the worth of every individual. We view ourselves as “Professional Partners, Creating Environments for Learning.”
Mission
The College of Education at Wilmington University prepares educators to work successfully with children from birth through adolescence, and to work closely with all education stakeholders. Our programs prepare candidates to work effectively with students with a wide variety of learning needs and from many different cultural, socioeconomic and linguistic backgrounds. An important goal of our programs is the translation of theory into practice. All programs are standards-driven. All programs emphasize the importance of data-based decision making, practical experiences in classrooms and schools, content knowledge, knowing and understanding learner needs, and the application of research-based best practices.
Conceptual Framework
The College of Education Conceptual Framework reflects the vision and mission of the University and articulates the College’s philosophy and goals. The Conceptual Framework is the fundamental theoretical architecture upon which all degree programs are based. The framework includes eight specific Program Attributes essential for the preparation of effective educators. These attributes appear on every course syllabus.
The complete Conceptual Framework can be found on the Wilmington University website, at www.wilmu.edu/education/clinicalstudies/conceptframework.aspx
Accreditation
Wilmington University is a private, non-profit institution that is fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Education is accredited by CAEP (the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) using NCATE Standards (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education). In addition, all degree programs contributing to eligibility for state licensure and/or certification as educators are state-approved and nationally recognized. Consequently, the College of Education reserves the right to modify degree requirements to comply with any licensure/certification or regulatory changes mandated by the Delaware Professional Standards Board, the Delaware State Department of Education, or the Delaware General Assembly.
Background Checks
A Criminal Background Check (CBC) is required for all field placements associated with College of Education degrees (e.g., practicum, course-related fieldwork, student teaching, internships, residencies, etc.). This includes a background check by the FBI and the Delaware State Police, and clearance through the Delaware Child Protection Registry (DCPR). This process must be completed PRIOR to submitting applications for placements. No applications for clinical placements will be considered until all CBC and DCPR reports have been received. Details about this process are explained at www.wilmu.edu/education/clinicalstudies/backgroundcheck.aspx.
General Knowledge Admission Requirements for Education Degrees Leading to Licensure and/or Certification
In addition to the General Admission Requirements listed for each degree program offered in the College of Education, applicants for admission to programs approved for state licensure and/or certification as an educator must meet Delaware’s minimum, state-mandated program-entry standards. Those standards include mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute, by achieving a score deemed to be college-ready on a test of general knowledge normed to the college-bound population.
The general knowledge requirement can be met by achieving minimum passing scores on the ETS Praxis Series Core Academic Skills for Educators. Test codes and minimum score requirements are:
| Test |
Score |
| ETS 5712 Reading |
156 |
| ETS 5722 Writing |
162 |
| ETS 5732 Mathematics |
150 |
These requirements became effective on July 1, 2014 and apply to the following graduate degree programs:
Master of Education in Career and Technical Education
Master of Education in Elementary Studies (K-6)
Master of Arts in Secondary Teaching (7-12)
Master of Education in Special Education (K-12)
Master of Education in ESOL Literacy
Master of Education in Reading
Master of Education in Reading/ESOL (dual degree)
Master of Education in Instruction: Gifted and Talented Education
Master of Education in School Leadership
Master of Education in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling
Doctor of Education in Innovation and Educational Leadership
For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to: www.ets.org/praxis/
Test takers should designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients.
This enables scores to be sent directly, confidentially, and electronically. Otherwise, candidates must provide original copies of all official score reports, including all sub-score reports.
Content and Performance Assessment Requirements for Education Degrees Leading to Licensure and/or Certification
Content Area Assessments
Effective January 1, 2015, all candidates for state-approved educator preparation degrees must meet the content assessment requirements adopted by the Delaware Department of Education and described in DE Administrative Code, Title 14, Regulation 290. The regulation states, in part:
“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.”
Performance Assessments
Effective July 1, 2016, all candidates for state-approved degrees must meet the performance assessment requirements adopted by the Delaware Department of Education and described in DE Administrative Code, Title 14, Regulation 290 in order to be eligible for initial teacher licensure and certification in Delaware. The regulation states, in part:
“Where a performance assessment is applicable and available in an area appropriate to the program in which a candidate is enrolled, the candidate shall achieve a passing score as a requirement to exit the program. The performance assessment may not be scored by any employees of the educator preparation program or unit, and shall be scored by certified reviewers.”
Specific assessments and minimum scores are listed on the program pages in this catalog. Candidates must consult with program advisors and/or program chairs to obtain current and accurate information about these requirements.