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Multidisciplinary Studies

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Multidisciplinary Studies with Elementary Education (PK-6) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies)

Multidisciplinary Studies with Special Education Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies)

This major is designed specifically for students seeking teaching licensure in either elementary education (grades PK-6) or special education: general curriculum (grades K-12).

Upon successful completion of the multidisciplinary studies program, students will be able to

make instructional decisions based on student behavior, the context of the classroom, and assessment data;
use a variety of problem-solving strategies to meet the needs of their students;
demonstrate a thorough understanding of content, human development, and pedagogy;
effectively implement instruction and assessment with appropriate pedagogical methods; and
exhibit a love of teaching, appreciation of diversity, and respect for all persons in the educational setting.

Multidisciplinary Studies with Elementary Education (PK-6) Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies)

This program allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in multidisciplinary studies and also be licensed to teach grades PK-6. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experiences and student teaching, at the end of four years.

Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See the education section for admission requirements and procedures.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses as specified to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. In addition to working with an advisor in the multidisciplinary studies program, students should see an education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further assistance in degree planning.

Also, course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester. Individual advising is important to ensure meeting all major and teaching licensure requirements.

Minimum Grade Requirements: A grade of a C or better is required in professional studies courses. Professional studies courses are those associated with teacher preparation. An overall 2.5 GPA is required.

Degree Requirements — Multidisciplinary Studies with Elementary Education Teaching Licensure

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements. Some coursework fulfills teaching licensure requirements as specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

BIO 110 Introduction to Environmental Science

BIO 110L Introduction to Environmental Science Lab

One (1) course from the following: CMD 101 Public Speaking, CMD 220 Intercultural Communication

ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics

ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning

ED 250L Technology for the K-12 Classroom

ED 251 Assessment to Support Learning in the K-12 Classroom

ED 301 Foundation of Literacy Development

ED 310 Reading and the Language Arts (Grades PK-2)

ED 311 Reading and the Language Arts (Grades 3-6)

ED 357 Teaching Social Studies and Creative Arts

ED 358 Teaching Mathematics and Science

ED 452 Managing the K-12 Classroom #

ED 460E Student Teaching #

One (1) course from the following: EN 201 World Literature: The Ancient World, EN 202 World Literature: The Middle Ages, EN 203 World Literature: Renaissance through Enlightenment, EN 204 World Literature: Romanticism through Post-Modernism, EN 205 American Literature I, EN 206 American Literature II

EN 211 Principles of Language

EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence

One (1) course from the following: FA 121 Music History I, FA 122 Music History II, FA 201 Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval, FA 202 Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to Modern

GEO 201 Introduction to Geography

HI 103 Western Civilization I

HI 110 History of the U.S. to 1877

HI 111 History of the U.S. since 1877

HI 325D Virginia History: The Old South

MA 121 Math for Liberal Arts

MA 124 History of Mathematics

MA 127 Applied Geometry

MDS 480 Senior Seminar

PSC 103 Introduction to the Physical Sciences

POL 104 American Government

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development

PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities

One (1) science elective with lab

# ED 452 and ED 460E must be taken at the same time.

Sample Degree Plan — Multidisciplinary Studies with Elementary Education Teaching Licensure

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

CMD 101 Public Speaking or CMD 220 Intercultural Communication §

MA 121 Math for Liberal Arts (MT core course) § *

POL 104 American Government (SS-1 core course) § *

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

MA 127 Applied Geometry §

PSC 103 Introduction to Physical Science (NS core course) § *

PSC 103L Introduction to Physical Science Lab

PSY 110 Human Growth and Development (SS-1 core course) § *

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Two — Fall

ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics §

ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning §

HI 103 Western Civilization I (HI-1 core course) § *

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course § * #

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Year Two — Spring

BIO 110 Introduction to Environmental Science (NS core course) § *

BIO 110L Introduction to Environmental Science Lab

ED 250L Technology for the K-12 Classroom §

ED 301 Foundation of Literacy Development § *

EN 301 The Writing Process §

MA 124 History of Mathematics §

PSY 341 Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities (SS-2 core course) § *

Year Three — Fall

ED 310 Reading and the Language Arts (PK-2) §

ED 357 Teaching Social Studies and Creative Arts §

EN 211 Principles of Language §

FA 121 Music History I, FA 122 Music History II, FA 201 Introduction to Art History: Ancient to Medieval, or FA 202 Introduction to Art History: Renaissance to Modern (FNA core course) § *

HI 110 History of the U.S. to 1877 §

Year Three — Spring

ED 251 Assessment to Support Learning in the K-12 Classroom §

ED 358 Teaching Mathematics and Science §

GEO 201 Introduction to Geography §

HI 111 History of the U.S. since 1877 §

HI 325D Virginia History: The Old South § *

Year Four — Fall

ED 311 Reading and Language Arts (3-6) §

MDS 480 Senior Seminar § *

One (1) science elective with lab §

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

EN 351 Literature of Childhood and Adolescence (LT-2 core course) § *

Year Four — Spring

ED 452 Managing the K-12 Classroom §

ED 460E Student Teaching § *

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

§ Requirement for the major and/or teaching licensure

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

# Choose one from EN 201 through EN 206.

Multidisciplinary Studies with Special Education Teaching Licensure (B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies)

This program of study allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in multidisciplinary studies and also be licensed to teach special education, general curriculum, in grades K-12, at the end of four years. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experience and student teaching, at the end of four years.

Degree Planning: Students in this program must take courses as specified to ensure fulfillment of state licensure requirements. In addition to working with an advisor in multidisciplinary studies, students should see an education advisor in the School of Education and Human Services for further assistance in degree planning.

Also, course rotations vary and not every course is available each semester. Course rotations are specified in the Course Descriptions. Individual advising is important to ensure meeting all major and teaching licensure requirements.

Degree Requirements — Multidisciplinary Studies with Special Education Teaching Licensure

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

ED 219 Current Research, Trends, and Legal Issues in Special Education

ED 250 Introduction to Teaching and Learning

ED 250L Technology for the K-12 Classroom

ED 251 Assessment to Support Learning in the K-12 Classroom

ED 301 Foundation of Literacy Development

ED 323 Literacy Instruction: Diagnosis and Corrective Strategies

ED 329 Collaborative Models in Special Education

ED 339 Individualized Education Programs and Strategies for the General Curriculum