The Education Department promotes academic excellence in the development and preparation of students to be change agents in the field of education. We desire for our graduates to be innovative teachers, experienced professionals and educational leaders, who have a commitment to the improvement and sustainability of schooling and the development of children and adolescents.
We support our students as they become critical thinkers and researchers who improve learning locally, nationally, and globally; and are committed to promoting this through the classroom environment, field-based, and experiential learning opportunities. The education department offers the following majors:
To be recommended for Georgia certification or to receive verification of program completion by the Department of Education at Spelman College, all applicants must contact Dr. Nicole Taylorntaylo12@spelman.edu or 404-270-5821.
Spelman College’s educator preparation programs are accredited through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) Accreditation System. The teacher preparation programs are also approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC). The national accreditation and state approvals recognize that our education programs have met national and state professional standards for the preparation of educators. In CAEP’s performance-based accreditation system, institutions must provide evidence of competent teacher candidate performance. Teacher candidates must know the subject matter they plan to teach and how to teach effectively so that all students learn.
Note: Students in the education department pursuing teacher certification must be admitted to the program. Students must apply for admission to a certification program (elementary education, secondary education, P-12 education) after completing EDU 206 Orientation to Education. Students who have not been admitted will not be permitted to enroll in designated certification courses.
Kappa Delta Epsilon Kappa Delta Epsilon Honor Society
Kappa Delta Epsilon Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE) is an honorary professional education fraternity for students. Its purpose is to promote the mission of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high standards of scholastic attainment, and professional ideals among its members. Juniors and seniors who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above are eligible for membership. Contact Dr. Andrea Lewis, alewis29@spelman.edu 404-270-5981
Elementary Education Major Requirements
Early Childhood Education Major Requirements for B.A. Degree
• EDU 206 Orientation to Education (4) • EDU 301 Curriculum for Preschool and Primary Grades* (4) • EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4) • EDU 308 Multicultural Education* (4) • EDU 314 Health and Physical Education Content and Meth ods for Preschool and Primary Grades* (4) • EDU 316 Exceptional Children* (4) • EDU 320 Language Arts and Social Studies Methods* (4) • EDU 330 Science and Mathematics Methods* (4) • EDU 338 Junior Research Seminar (2) • EDU 346 Fine Arts Content and Methods (Art, Music)* (4) • EDU 357 Reading—Teaching and Diagnosis* (4) • EDU 407 Advocacy in Urban Schools* (4) • EDU 438 Senior Thesis (2) • EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (1) • EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2) • EDU 457 Student Teaching* (12)
TOTAL: 63 Credit hours for Early Childhood Education
General Education Courses that are Program Requirements for Elementary Education
• English 103/193 Composition • English 250 Grammar for the Professions • Mathematics 107 • Psychology 302 Child Psychology (Social Science Divisional Requirement for Education majors only) • Environmental Science 211 Introduction to Environmental Sciences (Natural Science Divisional Requirement) • History 211 or 212 Survey of American History (Humanities Divisional Requirement) Students admitted to the Secondary Education (Grades 6–12) teacher certification program must complete the following seven courses in addition to the major: • EDU 206 Orientation to Education *(4) • EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4) • EDU 316 Exceptional Learners* (4) • EDU 444 Curriculum and Methods for Teaching in Secondary Schools* (4) • EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (3) • EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2)** • EDU 458 Student Teaching in Secondary Schools* (12)
TOTAL: 33 credit hours for Secondary Education
General Education Courses That are Program Requirements for Secondary Education
ENG 103/193 Composition (required for English Secondary majors only; recommended for all Teacher Certification candidates)
PSY 304 Adolescent Psychology (Counts as a Social Science Divisional Requirement for Secondary Education students)
Students admitted to the Pre K – Twelfth Grade (Pre K–12) Education teacher certification preparation program must complete the following seven courses in addition to the major:
EDU 206 Orientation to Education* (4)
EDU 304 Educational Psychology (4)
EDU 316 Exceptional Learners* (4)
EDU 443 Curriculum and Methods for Teaching Preschool
through Twelfth Grade* (4)
EDU 451 Seminar I for Student Teaching* (3)**
EDU 452 Seminar II for Student Teaching (2)
EDU 459 Student Teaching in Pre K – Twelfth Grade* (12)
TOTAL: 33 credit hours for Pre K–12 Education This general education course is also a program require ment for Pre K–12 Education:
PSY 304 Adolescent Psychology (Counts as a Social Science Divisional Requirement for Pre K–12 Education students)
What Can I Do With This Major?
Non-classroom positions within the school system
Youth services worker
Coordinator for after school program
Academic advisor or counselor
Social entrepreneur
Manager of special projects at an educational non-profit
Program coordinator
Family support specialist
Advocacy and community engagement coordinator
Youth advocate
With post-graduate education: guidance counselor, curriculum developer, speech language pathologist, child life specialist
Campus Tour
It's time to explore our beautiful campus! Sign-up today, bring your family, and let us show you what will make Spelman College your home away from home!
