Department of Education & Child Development

The broad content knowledge of the University core courses provides the knowledge base of the students’ curricula. The breadth of this foundation includes content knowledge in communications, mathematics, science, history, philosophy, literature, and the arts. Courses in these disciplines introduce students to traditional forms of scholarly inquiry such as the research paper, the oral and written report, and scientific methods in a laboratory setting.

The professional education component provides additional breadth as students are engaged in: 1) the investigation of topics using technology skills, 2) reviewing and critiquing print and digital content, and 3) attending seminars to enhance their exposure to current trends and issues in education.

Entering freshman and transfer students majoring in Education must have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA as they continue through their course of study. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in the courses of their major.

Professional Educational Program

Bachelor of Arts in Birth through Kindergarten (BK-Licensure)
Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (K-6 Licensure)

(Subject to change if the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s standards and indicators change.)

Shaw University students who seek a career as a public school teacher must select from the following areas: Birth-Kindergarten Education and Elementary Education: General Curriculum.

The professional educational program leads to initial certification in North Carolina after satisfactory completion of all course and test requirements. All students must apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. The admission process is outlined in the departmental handbook. All education courses are web-enhanced. Many of the courses are delivered online. All education majors must take the courses below. They must also pass Praxis I or be exempt from the exam before they are eligible to apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program. Students are exempt if they have high SAT or ACT scores (see department for actual scores).

Test Requirements

All elementary and birth-kindergarten majors must successfully pass Praxis I based on the current North Carolina state criteria or have an exemption based on their SAT or ACT scores, before they will be eligible to apply for formal admission to the Teacher Education Program in the major area selected. All Elementary Ed and Birth-Kindergarten majors must complete required coursework and successfully pass Praxis II in order to earn a North Carolina Teaching License.

Majors Offered

Majors are offered in specialty areas that lead to the standard professional 1 license as a teacher. Each student who is accepted into the program is required to select a major after the completion of the common professional studies courses. Listed below are majors that are offered in the teacher preparation area.

Birth-Kindergarten Education-B.A. (B-K Licensure Preparation)

Elementary Education-B.A. (K-6 Licensure Preparation)

Certification Only and Lateral Entry Candidates

This category consists of individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, are enrolled in courses to meet state certification requirements only, and in the case of lateral entry students, are already employed in the public schools and need to complete a course of study to meet State requirements that will qualify them as teachers. These candidates must also be formally admitted to the Teacher Education Program.

Early Child Development

The major in Early Child Development is for students who seek a degree to teach infant, toddler and preschool children in non-school settings. This degree does not lead to teacher licensure in North Carolina.

Major Offered

Early Child Development BA