K-8 Professional Development Certificate

The K-8 Professional Development Certificate is designed to assist those who are currently teacher's aides or who are interested in becoming teacher's aides to continue or begin course work that will assist them in their professional development and preparation. The courses provide content and skills that are immediately applicable in K-8 classrooms. This course work may be transferred in to the Associate Arts Degree Program.

Note: *Practicum component
Some courses taken for Professional Development Certificate may apply to the AA Degree in Education. APU Residency required for last 12 credit hours issued

Information about Education courses can be found in the Education Undergraduate Course Descriptions.

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Degree Requirements - Associate of Arts

*Competency Courses. All competency courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

** The General University Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree is an eight (8) course requirement rather than a 32 credit hour requirement;and for the Bachelor of Arts Degree it is an eleven (11) course requirement rather than a 44 credit hour requirement; e.g., many transfer “equivalents” and DCP equivalents are 3 credit courses.

Graduation Residency Requirement: For the A.A. Degree, the final 16 credit hours
must be taken in residence at Alaska Pacific University.

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Degree Requirements - Bachelor of Arts

*Competency Courses. All competency courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better.

** The General University Requirements for the Associate of Arts Degree is an eight (8) course requirement rather than a 32 credit hour requirement;and for the Bachelor of Arts Degree it is an eleven (11) course requirement rather than a 44 credit hour requirement; e.g., many transfer “equivalents” and DCP equivalents are 3 credit courses.

Graduation Residency Requirement: For the B.A. Degree, the final 32 credit hours must be taken in residence at Alaska Pacific University.

Upper Division Credit Hour Requirement: A minimum of thirty (30) credit hours
must consist of 300 and 400 level courses for the B.A. Degree.

Language Requirement: Students are required to take one semester (4 credit hours) of one foreign language, a second language, American Sign Language (ASL), or demonstrate competency at that level. This competency may be demonstrated by scoring at the appropriate level on a placement test in a language regularly taught at Alaska Pacific, or by providing documentation of a foreign language or ASL proficiency (e.g. serving as a translator or interpreter or attending a school where English is not the medium of instruction), or by transferring four credits from language or ASL courses taken at another accredited post-secondary institution.

Students whose primary language is not English may use English proficiency to meet the language requirement. In this case, the student will be required to score at the appropriate level on a placement test in English. Students wishing to earn credit for languages regularly taught at Alaska Pacific University without taking the courses must follow the procedures for Credit by Examination, or take one of the CLEP examinations and score in the 50th percentile or above. The Credit by Examination option may be available only for languages in which Alaska Pacific University faculty members have expertise. The chair of the Liberal Studies Department will determine the appropriate examination.

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Associate of Arts Degree in Education

The Associate of Arts degree in Education is designed to provide individuals who are interested in becoming teachers an opportunity to progress toward the bachelor's degree while working to fulfill undergraduate requirements and completing introductory course work in the Teacher Preparation Program. Those who are currently teacher's aides or are interested in becoming teacher's aides will find the course work listed very beneficial in developing their professional skills and informing their practice.

Note: *Some courses taken for the Associate of Arts Degree may apply to the BA Degree in Education.
** The total number of credits includes the general university requirements found above.

Information about Education courses can be found in the Undergraduate Course Descriptions.

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Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Education (K-8) Major

Admission

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts Degree Teacher Preparation Program involves several steps. The first step is admisison to the university. The second step is to meet the prerequisite coursework listed below. Upon successful completion of ED 212 or ED 214 and posting Alaska state qualifying scores for Praxis I in reading, writing and mathematics, the student submits an application for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program Committee.

K-8 classroom teachers require a broad liberal arts background and preparation in their undergraduate coursework in a variety of content areas; therefore, the Teacher Preparation Program is designed to build on the prerequisite areas.

To be considered for acceptance to the Bachelor of Arts Degree Teacher Preparation Program, a student must first meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of 60 credit hours including most of the general university requirements for the freshman and sophomore years

2. Completion of the following coursework with a grade of "C" (2.00 or better):

* Not required if used to satisfy the general university requirements.

3. A cumulative grade point average of 2.75

4. Completion of the Alaska Teachers Examination (PRAXIS I) with qualifying score for Certification

Students seeking an education minor are not required to apply for admission to the Teacher Preparation Program.

*Waived if taken to satisfy general university requirements

A GPA of 3.00 in professional education courses and 2.75 overall is required for admittance to student teaching. Students must complete all methods courses with a grade of "C" (2.00) or better to be recommended for Alaska Teacher Certification. Methods courses are not taught as independent studies or by correspondence. Most education courses include classroom practicum experience.

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**Interpersonal Communication
***Small Group Processes

Information about these and other courses can be found in the Undergraduate Course Descriptions for each department.

• Science/Math Undergraduate Course Descriptions
• Psychology Undergraduate Course Descriptions
• English/Language Arts Undergraduate Course Descriptions

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Education Minor Requirements

The minor in education for non-education majors will provide a background for educational theory, different approaches and strategies for instruction and recognition of diverse learner needs. Practicum component allows applications of theory into practice within a student's major field of study.