School of Education addresses high needs areas with interdisciplinary programs
Within the last several years, UD's School of Education has created
three one-year master's degree programs in partnership with the
College of Arts and Sciences. All three professional programs train
teachers to take roles in high needs areas.
Teaching English as a second language
Designed to meet the growing need for certified ESL teachers in
Delaware and surrounding states, the M.A. in teaching English as a
second language (TESL) program is an interdisciplinary program
involving the School of Education and the departments of
Linguistics, and Foreign Languages and Literatures. The degree
prepares students for teaching in ESL classrooms, and also in colleges
and language institutes in the U.S. and abroad.
The "4+1" program allows an English major to graduate with a B.A.
in English and an M.A. in teaching English as a second language at
the end of five years, compared to a four-year bachelor's degree and a
two-year master's degree.
The collaboration among education, linguistics and foreign languages
is crucial to TESL. To be effective in the field, teachers need
background in the process of second language acquisition, and a
command of linguistics concepts relating to the English language.
They also must be able to translate their knowledge into classroom
practices that allow their students to learn English effectively.
Secondary special education
UD undergraduate secondary education majors can opt to apply for a
"4+1" master's program in secondary special education. This is a five
year program combining undergraduate and graduate work. Upon
completion of the program students earn a bachelor's degree in
secondary education and a master's degree in special education.
Additionally, they are eligible for dual certification in their general
education content area and secondary special education.
Students are placed in local partnership high schools as special
education teacher interns where they receive supervision from UD
and school district staff.
Master of arts in teaching
Students with degrees in English, mathematics or science can become
high school or middle school teachers in their discipline by pursuing a
one year master of arts in teaching (MAT). This program is intended
for students to become certified in teaching at the secondary level
(grades 6-12) in a single subject.
Students learn how to lead a classroom, plan lessons, assess student
learning, reflect on their own teaching, and improve their practice
over time, then complete a year-long internship with a partner school
to gain intensive classroom experience.
Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a master
of arts in teaching with an institutional recommendation for teacher
certification.
About the School of Education
Consistently ranked as a top education school by U.S. News & World
Report, UD's School of Education is a vibrant learning community
that prepares graduate students for careers devoted to the solution of
our most pressing educational problems. Over 400 graduate students
in the School of Education learn alongside faculty with interests
ranging from teacher education to curriculum theory and development
to community-based education models and educational leadership.
