Department of Teaching and Learning

Wade Smith, Interim Department Head

The Department of Teaching and Learning of Southeastern Louisiana University is responsible for the development of undergraduate curricula in Early Childhood Education Grades PK-3, Elementary Education Grades 1-5, Middle School Education Grades 4-8, Special Education Mild/Moderate for Elementary Education Grades 1-5, Special Education Mild/Moderate for Middle School Education Grades 4-8, and in the supervision and preparation of teachers with majors in these areas.

The Department of Teaching and Learning provides professional courses for all majors in Education and Special Education curricula. As part of the course requirements, students complete clinical practice in diverse school settings prior to teaching residency. School assignments are made by the Director of Clinical Practice and Residency, and transportation to these sites is the responsibility of the student. A major role of the Department is to provide professional service and leadership to school systems within the University community. Another function of the Department is to offer curricula and instruction leading to Master’s Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, and Master of Arts in Teaching. See the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog for additional information.

Department of Teaching and Learning faculty members serve as advisors to undergraduate students majoring in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Education, and Special Education Programs, and students in the graduate programs listed above.

Students majoring in degrees in the Kinesiology and Health Studies Department may be required to participate in a drug screening program and/or submit information for criminal background checks as part of clinical/internship requirements.

The Southeastern Laboratory School

The University maintains and conducts a Laboratory School in cooperation with Tangipahoa Public School System, which accommodates children in pre-K through the eighth grade. The Laboratory School is a part of the College of Education. The School is designed to provide a varied program of instruction and service to afford opportunities for student observations, pre-professional laboratory experience, in-service education, and research.

School Librarians

Students in the College of Education who are earning regular certification at the elementary or secondary level may earn additional certification in Library Science by completing the Louisiana State Department of Education requirements for the add-on certification. See the State Department website for the current requirements or consult the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Teaching & Learning.

English as a Second Language

“English as a Second Language” will be added to the certificate of any teacher who holds a standard teaching certificate and successfully completes the Louisiana State Department of Education requirements for the add-on certification. See the State Department website for the current requirements or consult the Graduate Coordinator for the Department of Teaching & Learning. English as a Second Language certification will be valid only in the teaching area(s) in which one is certified. This is not TESOL, but a teaching certification specific to the State of Louisiana.

Honors Diploma in the Discipline

For information on earning Sophomore Honors Distinction, Senior Honors Distinction, or the Honors Diploma, please consult The University Honors Program section of this catalog, the Director of the Honors Program, and/or your Department Head.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Educator Certificate in Teaching and Learning: Primary Years Programme (PYP)

The department offers courses leading to the IB Educator Certificate in Teaching and Learning: PYP. Eligible students must take the following courses in addition to completing Teacher Candidate Residency at an IB World School: IB 4050 , IB 4150 , IB 4250 , IB 4350 . For information about eligibility and requirements, please contact the Department Head.

After successful completion of courses leading to the IB Educator Certificate in Teaching and Learning, candidates may apply for their level of certification through the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) in Geneva, Switzerland.