GENERAL OVERVIEW OF B.ED. PROGRAMMES IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION:
MAJORS, OPTIONS, AND MINORS

The Bachelor of Education is a professional degree which is normally intended for practitioners in the field of education. This degree will be awarded to persons who satisfactorily complete the programme. This degree is offered via two main schemes:

• SCHEME 1 for Diploma-Trained Teachers
• Programme Duration: Two (2) year
• Number of Credits: (66 credits)

or

• SCHEME 2 for Pre-Trained/Aspiring Teachers Programme

• Duration: Three (3) year
• Number of Credits: (90 credits)

In both options, students focus on the Foundations of Education and Educational Theory, Professional Specialization Courses and Content Courses in the School of Education.

Apart from a few courses which are year-long courses and carry six (6) to nine (9) credits, the courses in the School of Education (SOE) are three-credit courses offered over the course of a semester (August to December and/or January to April of any given academic year).

University Foundation courses. The courses which fall within this category are compulsory for all students.  In the first year of study in the programme, students are required to sit the English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT). Those who pass the test and are in the two-year programme are required to do FOUN1015 and one other Foundation course.  Those who pass the test and are in the three-year programme, are required to do FOUN1016 and two other Foundation courses.

Students who fail the ELPT test are required to do the year-long Foundation course, FOUN1019. Those who fail the test and are in the two-year programme are required to do FOUN1019 and one other Foundation course.  Those who fail the test and are in the three-year programme, do FOUN1019 and two other Foundation courses.

Specialization courses. These refer to the Methodology-focused courses offered in the various options which provide students with the pedagogical approaches, content and skills they will utilize in their growth and development as prospective professionals in their respective options

Practicum courses. These courses refer to the theoretical and practical aspects of preparing teachers for the field which are compulsory and must therefore be taken by all students completing a B.Ed. in the Undergraduate Unit of the SOE. . These courses provide opportunities for early field experiences, introduce students to the theories and principles of reflective practice and classroom -based inquiry and allow for full immersion in the field by the final year. In general, the practicum courses expose students to a variety of real-life teaching contexts and introduce them to hands-on strategies for functioning effectively in the school environment.

Core Education courses. Students are asked to complete a set number of these courses which will provide them with relevant and current information in various disciplines, including: philosophy, psychology, and sociology. For some options, specific core education courses are prescribed whereas for the other options, students are free to select the core education courses of their choice.

‘Out of School’ (Content) courses. Apart from the Mathematics option, the content courses for all other subject options are delivered by lecturers in other departments from the Faculties of Humanities and Education, Science and Technology and the Social Sciences. The content courses for the Mathematics Option area are delivered by full-time or adjunct lecturers attached to the Mathematics Option in the Undergraduate Unit of the SOE.

Practicum: The Field Practice Component of the B.Ed. degree

Like traditional professions such as law, medicine, and the clergy, teaching is a practice-based profession. All students (completing a major in any of the nine (9) option areas for the Bachelors of Education degree programme) are required to complete the specified practicum course/credits/hours required for each level of study. These practicum courses can be found on the course selection guideline sheet for each option. Students MUST read through the Practicum/Field Experience handbook provided at the School of Education to ensure that they are aware of what is required of them as they engage with various aspects of the practicum experience. Information on the practicum handbook can be attained from the administrators at the front desk on the top floor of the School of Education building and from the SOE’s online portal.

COURSE SELECTION GUIDE TABLES FOR EACH PROGRAMME.

NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO PURSUE COURSES AS PRESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING COURSE SELECTION GUIDES. ALL NEW STUDENTS MUST SEEK ACADEMIC ADVISING BEFORE COURSE REGISTRATION IS COMPLETED FOR ALL PROGRAMMES.