Senior seminar enhanced educational studies for Kailee Betler ’20
“Art Through a Child’s Eyes” was presented during the 2019-20 school year by Kailee Betler ’20 for her Studio Art Senior Seminar at Ripon College. […]
The educational studies department at the College has two main goals: to promote the study of educational processes, institutions and thought; and to prepare highly qualified teachers for elementary and secondary classrooms. Courses and programs examine education as an essential and complex social process that occurs in formal and informal teaching-learning situations. While the department is dedicated to the preparation of effective teachers, we invite and encourage other students to take courses to develop greater understanding of educational issues and concerns.
The elementary education major leads to teaching licensure in regular education in kindergarten through 9th grade. The educational studies department also offers PK-12 certification programs in art, foreign language (French and Spanish), music, physical education, physical education and health, and theatre (pending program approval).
You can learn more in the Teacher Education Handbook. Ripon College also offers a major in secondary education for those interested in teaching at the 4-12 grade level.
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Faculty
Rigden, Jean
Director of Teacher Education
Some, Touorizou Herve
Associate Professor of Educational Studies, Chair of Educational Studies Department
Williams, Jeanne
Adjunct Emeritus Professor of English
Advising
Ripon College faculty and professional staff are dedicated to helping you reach your goals, whatever they may be and however often they may change along the way. It’s part of our value statement to you.
As a student at Ripon, you will be assigned a faculty adviser based on your area(s) of interest. You will meet with your faculty adviser throughout your time as a student to discuss your current aspirations, plan your course schedule and plot a future trajectory. We also work collaboratively with Ripon College Career and Professional Development to help match your interests and skills to concrete goals and construct a plan for professional success offering personalized career counseling, off-campus learning opportunities and an online job board with potential to connect with local, national and international employers. Our collaboration with Student Support Services provides tutoring and additional academic and skill development, as well as tools to help with note-taking, exam preparation, goal-setting and time management. Likewise, Mentors in the Franzen Center provide in-depth, one-on-one or group mentoring for students about class projects and college-level writing, and can share problem-solving strategies to overcome academic obstacles.
Advising at RiponRequirements
Requirements for a major in elementary education (K-9 certification): In addition to an approved major or minor in a discipline outside of educational studies and general education requirements for licensure, each student must complete EDU 150, 190, 245, 250, 260, 270, 281, 316, 338, 348. EDU 320 and student teaching (EDU 441, 451* and 571) must be completed to qualify for teacher licensure. PSC 235 is recommended as a supporting course for this major.
Requirements for a minor in educational studies (middle school/ high school grades 4-12 subject areas, PK-12 in art, music, physical education, health, Spanish, French, or theatre): In addition to an approved major and general education requirements for licensure, each student must complete EDU 190, 250, 260, 270, 311, 316, 344, and the instructional methods course/s in their teaching major/s and minor/s. EDU 320 and student teaching (EDU 451, 461*, and 571) must be completed to qualify for teacher licensure. PSC 242 is recommended as a supporting course for this program.
Requirements for PK-12 licensure in art education: Students must complete general education requirements for licensure, the requirements for a major in studio art (see notes on the major in the art section of the catalog), and the minor in educational studies. Students must work with the art advisors to arrange to take teaching methods course work (ART 354 and 356) and clinical experiences (Sec. Ed. 366) through the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In addition, each student must qualify for and satisfactorily complete EDU 320 and a semester of student teaching (491* and 571) at Ripon College. EDU 242: Integrated Arts Education is recommended as a supporting course for the art education program.
Requirements for PK-12 licensure in music education: Students must complete general education requirements for licensure, the requirements for a teaching major in music (choral, instrumental or general) and the required educational studies courses ( EDU 190, 260, 270, 311). In addition, each student must qualify for and satisfactorily complete EDU 320 and a semester of student teaching (EDU 421* and 571).
Requirements for PK-12 licensure in physical education and health: Students must complete general education requirements for licensure, the requirements for a teaching major in exercise science, school-based physical education, and the minor in educational studies. In addition, each student must satisfactorily complete EDU 320 and a semester of student teaching (EDU 431* and 571). Completion of a teaching minor in health is recommended.
* Students may substitute EDU 481 for 6 credits/nine weeks of their student teaching placement.
Be a Teacher
While it certainly is true that good teachers are always in demand, it also is true that changes in the economy, government funding for education, regional population shifts and family lifestyles affect employment trends for teachers. Ripon graduates have success finding teaching jobs, in part, because faculty work closely with students to help them plan programs and conduct job searches geared toward current employment trends.
Some Ripon graduates with teacher certification have elected to take advantage of opportunities for work abroad in the Peace Corps. Others are using their teaching skills in service and business settings. An increasing number of agencies and institutions seek teachers to staff their educational programs.
An additional career route for certified teachers is graduate school. Master’s degree-level programs enable students to add areas of certification such as special education, early childhood education and bilingual/bicultural education. Such specialized expertise often opens new opportunities for securing a teaching position.