2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin > Programs of Study > School of Education and Psychology

School of Education and Psychology

Denise Dunzweiler, Dean; Austin Archer, Linda Ivy, Julian Melgosa, Debbie Muthersbaugh, Tamara Randolph, Lee Stough.

The School of Education and Psychology offers programs leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in elementary education, psychology, and forensic psychology. The school also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in psychology. Minors are available in education and psychology, and preparation is provided for state and denominational certification in both elementary and secondary education. With careful planning, a bachelor's degree and the first teaching certificate may be earned in four years of study.

For a description of programs leading to a master's degree in Education or Counseling Psychology, see the Graduate Bulletin.

Mission: The School of Education and Psychology at Walla Walla University supports the mission of the University and assists students as they acquire knowledge and expertise in their fields of study within the context of Christian faith. To this end our faculty and students are committed to:

• quality in scholarship and research;
• the development of social, moral, and spiritual values;
• the integration of learning, faith, and service.

Teacher Preparation Programs: WWU offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Teacher certification is also available to those who wish to teach in various content areas at the secondary school level. Additional information can be found at http://www.wallawalla.edu/3037

The Teacher Certification Program is made up of a relatively small number of students, thus allowing more interaction with faculty and staff.

Admission Requirements:

• Junior class standing or a score of at least 23 on the ACT or a score of at least 1040 on the SAT.
• Minimum GPA of at least 2.75 in all course work that applies to certification requirements.
• Passing score in all required sections of the WEST-B, and/or ACT, SAT or a combination thereof.
• Formal application, law enforcement background check, and moral character clearance.
• No grade less than C

For a complete description of the teacher preparation program, see http://www.wallawalla.edu/2968

Accreditation:

• Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
• Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities
• All of the University's teacher preparation programs are approved by the State of Washington Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB).

Contextual Information

Best Practices:

• Blend of theory and practice. Teacher certification candidates spend between 93 and 231 clock hours observing and assisting in K-12 classrooms prior to student teaching.
• Methods-of-teaching courses are aligned with national Common Core State Standards and WA State Standards.
• Portfolios are used formatively and summatively to portray excellence of educational practices in the K-12 setting.

Notable Features and Accomplishments in 2013-2014:

• Nine teacher certification candidates were awarded the Eleanor Schofield Memorial Teachers' Scholarship.
• Two elementary education majors received the Doreen Paulson-Evans Memorial Scholarship.
• One elementary education major received the Appreciation of Elementary Education.
• One elementary education major received the Dan and Mary Morrison Necker English Scholarship.
• One elementary education major received the David James Liu Memorial Education Scholarship.
• One elementary education major received the Outstanding Senior Award.
• One secondary certification student received the Richard and Dena Hammill Scholarship.

Program Statistics

Number of faculty members who supervised student teachers: