Undergraduate Announcements > School of Arts and Sciences > Departments and Programs in the School of Arts and Sciences > Department of Education

Department of Education

The Department of Education, a scholarly community of faculty and students, shares in the Catholic and academic mission of The Catholic University of America. The Department recognizes the important role of education in shaping humanity, the world, and the future. The teacher education program functions within this community to prepare educators for Catholic, private, and public schools. The Department of Education offers major programs designed to prepare classroom teachers in Early Childhood Education (PK-3), Elementary Education (1-6), and Secondary Education (7-12) for English, Mathematics, and Social Studies subject areas. 

Graduates of Catholic University's teacher education programs are eligible to apply for a Standard Teaching Credential or Endorsement through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education of D.C. Program candidates are responsible for completing the Standard Teaching application to obtain their credential from OSSE. The complete list of requirements and fees can be found on the OSSE website page Standard Teaching Credential. In addition, OSSE participates in the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement. This organization facilitates the ability of Educators to transfer their teaching credentials to states and territories participating in the network. Candidates should check this listing on the NASDTEC website for a full list of participating US States and Territories. Additional coursework or professional exams may be required for obtaining a teaching credential in another state or U.S. territory. 

(For programs in Music and Art education, please see the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art section of these Announcements.)  

Teacher Education Program

The overall purpose of teacher education at The Catholic University of America is to empower candidates with the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and reflective qualities essential for educators to thrive in their professional practice in PK-12 school contexts. By developing a reflective, problem-solving orientation toward teaching and education writ large, our programs foster development of educators who strive to continuously improve their instructional practice and professional dispositions to better serve their school communities.

A program of studies in education includes the basic general education and professional courses required by external accreditation agencies as well as meeting the standards of best practice in the field of education more broadly. The programs are designed to provide candidates with opportunities for study in the liberal arts and sciences, educational foundations, learning theories, and teaching methods with internship experiences across a four-year sequence. Attention is also given to curricular and instructional strategies for exceptional students, meeting the needs of culturally and economically diverse student populations, and the skills needed to engage with the ever changing technological demands of our society.

The Teacher Education Programs at Catholic University have been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1975. The most recent CAEP site visit was in the Fall of 2021 and the Department remains fully accredited. The next CAEP accreditation visit is scheduled for Fall 2028. Additional external accreditation is required through the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) of DC, and the Department programs are currently recognized by this agency. 

Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood -- This program is not open to new students

The full requirements for the major can be found at Early Childhood Education - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

• General education requirements (philosophy, theology and religious studies, humanities, language/literature, behavioral/social sciences, math/natural sciences) are those of professional programs, which differ from the University’s general requirements for the liberal arts curriculum
• A sequence of education courses including a 9 credit hour, full-time, 15-week Supervised Student Teaching Internship and  a 3 credit hour Student Teaching Seminar Course (EDUC 400 and 401 for all majors) during the senior year. Candidates complete an Action Research Project during their seminar course which serves as the capstone for the program. 
• Application to the Director of Student Experience and Licensure must be made in the second week of the semester prior to student teaching. Candidates may not take more than one other course while student teaching.

Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies

The requirements for the major can be found at Education Studies - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

This program does not lead to a teaching license. The Education Studies program provides majors the skills they need for employment in a variety of settings. These settings include local, state, or federal government education positions; industry and/or trade association education positions; or education positions in hospitals, museums, foundations, professional associations, or charitable organizations. This is the most flexible undergraduate major offered by the Department of Education at The Catholic University of America. Each program of study is designed by the candidate and the candidate's adviser to satisfy the wants of the candidate, and his or her hopes for employment upon graduation.

The Education Studies Program informs majors who want to work with or for children in non-school settings. It prepares majors to understand the ways schools function and to gain firsthand knowledge of how outside agencies may enhance or impede the work of schools. Candidates majoring in Education Studies gain knowledge enabling them to be informed citizens and parents who understand how to interact constructively with schools. Through its several foci, this program may also teach majors how to enter, manage, or begin businesses related to education; how to design educational products; or how to obtain employment in educationally related mass media, including public relations, advertising, or print journalism. Education Studies majors can also focus on education issues relevant to the workplace or the United States justice system or those of concern to special populations.

Each candidate’s program must be approved by the coordinator of Education Studies; every program will contain at least one special focus. Advising about focus and course selection will take into consideration the candidate's personal needs and career goals. Usually, candidates enroll in one or more semesters of practicum or internship that serves to draw together their coursework in a culminating experience that serves to acquaint candidates with the real world of work.

In order to be accepted as an Education Studies major, candidates must have at least a 2.3 cumulative average and must apply to and be accepted by the Department of Education. Application forms for admission to this program are obtained from the department. Candidates whose grade point average falls below 2.0 may be dropped from this major.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

The full requirements for the major can be found at Elementary Education - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

• General education requirements (philosophy, theology and religious studies, humanities, language/literature, behavioral/social sciences, math/natural sciences) are those of professional programs, which differ from the University’s general requirements for the liberal arts curriculum
• A sequence of education courses including a 9 credit hour, full-time, 15-week Supervised Student Teaching Internship and  a 3 credit hour Student Teaching Seminar Course (EDUC 400 and 401 for all majors) during the senior year. Candidates complete an Action Research Project during their seminar course which serves as the capstone for the program. 
• Application to the Director of Student Experience and Licensure must be made in the second week of the semester prior to student teaching. Candidates may not take more than one other course while student teaching.

Bachelor of Arts in English Secondary Education

The full requirements for the joint major can be found at English Secondary Education - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) 

• A sequence of  subject area and education courses are required for the joint degree. This includes a 9 credit hour, full-time, 15-week Supervised Student Teaching Internship and a 3 credit hour Student Teaching Seminar Course (EDUC 400 and 401 for all majors) during the senior year. Candidates complete an Action Research Project during their seminar course which serves as the capstone for the program. 
• Application to the Director of Student Experience and Licensure must be made in the second week of the semester prior to student teaching. Candidates may not take more than one other course while student teaching.

Bachelor of Arts in History Secondary Education

The full requirements for the joint major can be found at History Secondary Education - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

• A sequence of  subject area and education courses are required for the joint degree. This includes a 9 credit hour, full-time, 15-week Supervised Student Teaching Internship and a 3 credit hour Student Teaching Seminar Course (EDUC 400 and 401 for all majors) during the senior year. Candidates complete an Action Research Project during their seminar course which serves as the capstone for the program. 
• Application to the Director of Student Experience and Licensure must be made in the second week of the semester prior to student teaching. Candidates may not take more than one other course while student teaching.

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Secondary Education

  The full requirements for the joint major can be found at Mathematics Secondary Education - Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

• A sequence of  subject area and education courses are required for the joint degree. This includes a 9 credit hour, full-time, 15-week Supervised Student Teaching Internship and a 3 credit hour Student Teaching Seminar Course (EDUC 400 and 401 for all majors) during the senior year. Candidates complete an Action Research Project during their seminar course which serves as the capstone for the program. 
• Application to the Director of Student Experience and Licensure must be made in the second week of the semester prior to student teaching. Candidates may not take more than one other course while student teaching.

Minor in Early Childhood Education

The requirements for the major can be found at Early Childhood Education - Minor

Minor in Elementary Education

The requirements for the minor can be found at Elementary Education - Minor

Arts & Sciences majors can minor in Elementary Education. In order to earn a minor in Elementary Education, students must declare the minor in Elementary Education using the form found on the department website.

Minor in Secondary Education

The requirements for the minor can be found at Secondary Education - Minor

Minor in Education Studies

The requirements for the minor can be found at Education Studies - Minor

Requirements

Initial Acceptance to the Teacher Education Program

• Completion of the teacher education application and submission of a personal statement by April 1 of the sophomore year.
• A 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• A 3.0 GPA in the major. For secondary education candidates, the GPA is based on major requirements and any additional courses required for licensure.
• Two education faculty letters of recommendation (from sophomore level education faculty). For secondary education candidates, one of the letters of recommendation must be written by a faculty member in the major department.
• A passing score on each part of the Praxis/CORE tests in reading (156), writing (162), and mathematics (150).
• Successful completion of specified requirements, such as key assessments and various assignments during field experiences (e.g., tutoring journals and observation papers).
• If almost all the admission requirements are met, the Teacher Education Committee may allow the candidate to enter the program on a provisional basis for one semester. If the candidate does not meet all the requirements by the end of the provisional semester, the candidate will be denied admission.

Continuance and Application for Student Teaching

• A 3.0 cumulative grade point average and a 3.0 in the major in every semester. If the candidate's GPA drops below the established minimum of 3.0 cumulative and 3.0 in the major after admission to Teacher Education, the candidate will be placed on probation for one semester, in which time the candidate must attain the required GPA. Candidates cannot student teach without attaining the required GPA. Also, approval to student teach is not automatically granted upon completion of academic requirements. If weaknesses or deficiencies are noted in subject matter knowledge, pedagogy, communication, interpersonal skills, or dispositions, the Department may put the candidate on probation and require the candidate to take additional coursework, do an additional practicum, or obtain personal counseling. Each candidate is allowed to have only one provisional and one probationary semester.
• Early childhood, elementary, and secondary education candidates must take the appropriate PRAXIS II content test before student teaching.
• Successful completion of specified requirements, such as key assessments and various assignments during field experiences (lesson plans, thematic unit, and satisfactory grades in methods courses). A C- minimum is required for all education courses as well as general education/ Liberal Arts requirements to be eligible for a license.

Graduation

• A grade of at least C- in each course required for licensure. Successful completion of the teacher education program (i.e., education courses, courses in the major, courses related to the major).
• Successful completion of field experiences and specified requirements, such as key assessments and various assignments during field experiences (e.g., Action Research Paper, student teaching evaluation).
• Completion of electronic portfolio, which is also presented to the Education faculty.
• Completion of the Praxis II Content Area Exam (Note: Elementary Education requires all 4 subject area exams).

Application for Standard Teaching Credential and Endorsement Requirements

These requirements are determined by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education of DC, not the Catholic University Education Department. Candidates should review these requirements on the OSSE Website as they are subject to change. 

The following is a general overview of the requirements to apply for a Standard Teaching Credential for quick reference:

• Approved Program Completer Verification Form 

  • This form is completed by the Education Department, and a PDF copy will be provided to you for submission to OSSE. 

• Identity History Summary Check (IHSC) (See list for providers)

• Complete required Praxis Basic Skills Exams 

  • You already completed the requirement to be admitted to CUA’s program.

• Complete required Praxis Content and Pedagogy Exams 

  • List of Required Praxis Exams by Subject Area

  • You must take the Subject Content Exam for CUA’s  program completion requirements. 

  • The Principal of Learning & Teaching (PLT) exam is also required for credentialing. 

• Official Transcripts from Catholic University of America 

  • Submit a Transcript Request when available after the end of final semester. You will need a copy of your final transcript with the degree conferred confirmation to submit with your application

  • Pay all applicable fees (For most credentials the application fee is $50)

Transportation Responsibility

Transportation to and from agencies or schools used for practicum, student teaching, and any other field experiences is the personal responsibility of the candidate.