Education General Studies: Graduation without Certification: Separating the Baccalaureate Degree from Teacher Certification.

Overview & Synopsis

The Education General Studies curriculum at North Carolina State University is a useful alternative to the teacher education curricula. Because it separates decisions about graduation from certification recommendations, the education general studies curriculum provides the faculty with an honorable alternative to allowing marginal and weak candidates to enter the teaching force. At the same time, it provides certain students with a legitimate opportunity to earn a college degree in education, without forcing them to go through the student teaching experience. Education General Studies was originally conceived of as an "escape valve" for teacher education students who did not want to be teachers or who the faculty felt did not have the potential to be effective teachers. The program also serves those students who eventually wish to complete a certification program in another institution. A small number of students are interested in this program who are looking for a job for which an education degree provides appropriate preparation, but which does not require teacher certification. An outline of the Education General Studies curriculum is included with this paper. (JD)