College of Education

INTRODUCTION

MISSION OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

The College of Education embraces the mission of Pacific University and its commitment to the liberal arts and sciences as it seeks to prepare aspiring and practicing educators to promote and nurture learners' intellectual, ethical, social, and emotional growth within a learning community that is committed to equity and diversity. The key elements of our teacher education program are embodied in the following phrase: "Transforming education through communities of learners, with a focus on promoting cultural competence, creating student-centered classrooms, and enhancing learning through technology." As a result we infuse the following values into our programs:

Transforming Education through a Community of Learners

The College of Education values:
- Professional educators who, as reflective practitioners, continually study theory, research, practice, and available resources as they strive to improve the effectiveness of their teaching
- Modeling of ethical behavior by professional educators in their classrooms and in their communities
- Education as a lifelong process for learners of all ages and backgrounds
- Modeling by professional educators of an inquisitive attitude and enjoyment of intellectual pursuits
- Professional educators who are confident, energetic and both physically and mentally healthy
- Participation of educators as leaders and agents of change in the education profession within and beyond the University

Promoting Cultural Competence

The College of Education values:
- A commitment by professional educators to respect humanity in all its diversity
- Professional educators who believe that all students can learn and who assume responsibility in furthering that learning
- Professional educators who interact constructively with students and their parents as well as colleagues, administrators, other school personnel, and the community - to achieve both instructional and relational goals
- Professional educators as keen observers of the learner, family, community, and environment who use that data to the extent possible when planning instruction

Creating Student-Centered Classrooms

The College of Education values:
- Professional educators who understand the subject(s) being taught and appreciate how knowledge in that subject is created, organized, linked to other disciplines and applied in real-world settings
- Educational environments that provide opportunities for developing and sharpening intellectual, analytical, and reflective abilities
- Promotion by professional educators of intellectual independence and active, responsible learning
- Professional educators who exhibit the energy, drive, and determination to make their school and classroom the best possible environment for teaching and learning

Enhancing Learning Through Technology

The College of Education values:
- Professional educators who engage students in pedagogically powerful applications of technology that foster learning
- Professional educators who utilize a range of instructional resources and technology tools to support learning

HISTORY OF TEACHER EDUCATION AT PACIFIC

Pacific University has been preparing teachers since it first offered the baccalaureate degree in 1863. Established in 1842 as a school to serve Native American children, Pacific began offering courses for teachers in 1911 as the Oregon public school movement expanded, one of only three colleges authorized by the State of Oregon to recommend graduates for high school teaching certificates at that time.

Throughout much of its history in the preparation of teachers, Pacific offered a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Education. In 1989, reflecting the growing national trend toward fifth-year teacher education programs, Pacific University became the first institution to gain approval from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission to offer the Master of Arts in Teaching Fifth-Year program. Until 1992, this program offered only secondary endorsement areas, at which time it was expanded to include an elementary education component.

Teacher education programs had been located within the College of Arts and Sciences for many years. However, as an increasing number of teacher education students opted for programs at the master's level, the opportunities and demands associated with teacher education extended substantially beyond the mission of the undergraduate College of Arts and Sciences. In 1994 the School of Education was founded and provided with the autonomy to implement policies and procedures necessary to support both graduate and undergraduate teacher education programs. In 2002, as a result of increasing growth in programs and faculty, the School of Education was designated the College of Education. Today we are one of four colleges at Pacific University.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

At the College of Education (COE), we believe nothing is more important than helping children to see all the possibilities the world holds for them. We believe nothing is more rewarding than the struggling student who triumphs because he knows his teacher cares. We believe nothing is more valuable than a teacher's gift for igniting the love of learning.

COE faculty and staff members are committed to supporting and challenging all candidates for licensure and degrees to be prepared as exceptional teachers in a rapidly changing world. (In accordance with NCATE standards, students in COE teacher education programs are referred to as candidates.) Our dynamic education programs are highly respected by school district leaders in Oregon and across the country. Candidates are provided with the theoretical foundation, practical knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to be a professional educator.

The College of Education is committed to increasing its sphere of influence and deepening its commitment to quality. The COE is nationally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). COE licensure programs are approved by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC), and degree programs are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

The College of Education actively works with school district partners in many Oregon school districts, most notably those in a 50-mile proximity of our Eugene and Forest Grove campuses. As we seek to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world we partner with many organizations. We are institutional members of the American Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE), Oregon Latino Administrators Association (OALA), the Oregon Independent College Association (OICA), the Oregon Association of Teacher Educators (ORATE), and founding partners of the Lane County Teacher Pathways program. Our faculty members are leaders in many state and national discipline-based organizations: International Reading Association (IRA); Oregon Reading Association (ORA); National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM); National Association of Research in Science Education (NARST); National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS); National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE); Oregon Council of Teachers of English (OCTE); Northwest Association of College Educators (NWATE); Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD); National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC); National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC); The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC); American Educational Research Association (AERA); National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE); National Association of Multicultural Education; Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); Northwest Council for Computers in Education (NCCE); Oregon Technology Network (OTEN), and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

For further information, visit the COE website at http://coe.pacificu.edu.

CAMPUS LOCATIONS AND PROGRAMS

The College of Education offers Initial Licensure Programs and Advanced Programs at two sites, the main campus in Forest Grove and the Eugene campus.

INITIAL LICENSURE PROGRAMS

The College of Education offers four programs that lead to Oregon's Initial Teaching License:

- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Fifth-Year program - 12-month full-time cohort program for those holding a bachelor's degree
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)/Flex program 16-month part-time cohort program for those holding a bachelor's degree
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)/Special Educator program - 17-month program for those holding a bachelor's degree and seeking initial licensure in special education or adding the special education endorsement
- An undergraduate teacher education program offered in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences (See Undergraduate Catalog)

These programs prepare teachers at any of four levels of authorization: Early Childhood Education (valid for teaching children from age 3 to grade 4); Elementary School (valid for teaching grades 3-8 in an elementary school or grades 5-6 self-contained classroom in a middle school); Middle School (valid for teaching grades 5-9 in an elementary, middle or junior high school); and High School (valid for teaching integrated subjects and departmental assignments in grades 7-12 in a mid-high or high school).

ADVANCED PROGRAMS

Advanced Programs, as described below, are primarily intended for licensed educators who wish to continue their development as professionals in the field of education.

Master of Education Program: program for candidates, typically who are licensed teachers, who desire to deepen their expertise. Candidates can specialize in one of the following: Reading Specialist, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Talented and Gifted, Technology, Cultural Competency, or Special Education. In addition, candidates can earn an Oregon Continuing Teaching License as part of the degree.

Continuing Teaching License Program - part-time program for practicing teachers who have completed a bachelor's degree and wish to add a Master of Education degree, or who hold a master's degree and an initial license and choose to move to the Continuing Teaching License.

Initial II License Program - part-time program for practicing teachers who have completed a bachelor's and/or a master's degree, hold an initial license, and choose to renew their initial license at the required intervals rather than move to a Continuing Teaching License.

Non-Degree Programs - part-time programs for practicing teachers holding an initial license who wish to add authorizations and endorsements.

Certificate Programs
Talented and Gifted (TAG) Education - part-time program for teachers, counselors, and parents who wish to learn more about meeting the needs of gifted children.

Cultural Competence - part-time program for teachers, counselors, school support staff, and community members who wish to engage in dialogue and learn more about issues of diversity in our schools.

RELATED GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Master of Arts in Education /Curriculum Studies (MAE/CS) - advanced degree program not leading to licensure.

Master of Education/Visual Function in Learning (MEd/VFL) - advanced degree program for optometry students or practicing optometrists (Forest Grove campus only).

Programs are also available for practicing teachers holding a Basic or Standard License who wish to add authorizations or endorsements or upgrade their professional skills.