Contact Persons: H. Lawrence Jones, Ed.D. (Chair)
                        Mary Taylor, Ed.D.
                        Lucy Young, Ed.D.

The Teacher Preparation Program (TPP) is designed for students who wish to pursue certification leading to licensure in the areas of: K-6 Multi-Subjects (K-6), 5-12 Content Specialization (5-12) and/or an add-on endorsement for Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). Early and extensive field experiences in local schools complement content-rich university coursework. The Wheeling Jesuit University majors leading to licensure and the corresponding teaching fields are:

Major/Licensure Field(s)

• Biology/Biology (9-12) and General Science (5-12)
• Chemistry/Chemistry (9-12) and General Science (5-12)
• English/Language Arts (5-12)
• French/French (5-12) (K-12)
• History/Social Studies (5-12)
• Liberal Studies/ Multi-Subjects (K-6)
• Mathematics/Mathematics (5-12)
• Political Science/Social Studies (5-12)
• Romance Languages/French and Spanish (5-12) (K-12)
• Spanish/Spanish (5-12) (K-12)
• Physics/Physics (9-12) and General Science (5-12)

Theology majors are welcome to complete the Teacher Preparation Program, however, no state licensure is available for theology majors.

The Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) endorsement is not a stand-alone program but is earned in conjunction with one of the licenses listed above. Students completing K-6 Multi-Subjects programs may earn a K-12 SLD endorsement while 5-12 Content Specialization licensees may add a 5-12 SLD endorsement. The addition of the SLD endorsement requires careful course scheduling during the student’s four year program and may result in additional hours beyond the typical load.

All secondary students complete a full major in addition to the Teacher Preparation Program. All TPP students should seek scheduling advice from the TPP faculty early in their programs. TPP students should maintain 16-18 credit hours per semester beginning with the freshman year.

Knowledge, skills, behaviors, attitudes and values expected of prospective professional educators who are graduates of Wheeling Jesuit University include:

• commitment to students and their learning
• depth of knowledge in content and how to teach content subjects to students
• a repertoire of skills for responsibly managing and monitoring student learning
• an ability to think systematically and reflectively about their practice and learn from experience
• a willingness to become a contributing member of a learning community as a professional educator

Teacher Preparation Program students complete coursework in three areas: the core curriculum, the major, and the professional education component. The core curriculum and requirements for each major are listed in other sections of this catalog. Students should note that PSY 110 fulfills both core and professional education requirements.* Some secondary licensure programs may necessitate additional content courses that are not currently requirements of the major. Students may receive specific course lists from the TPP Director.

Students considering Teacher Preparation should attend a program orientation in the freshman year and enroll in TPP 231 during the fall semester of the sophomore year. Formal application to the program is made in the second semester of the sophomore year during enrollment in TPP 232. Applicants must possess and subsequently maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall. Additional program requirements include a 2.5 minimum GPA in the major as well as in required psychology courses, a “B”-level mastery of all TPP courses and successful completion of required PRAXIS testing. A detailed outline of specific requirements is available in the Teacher Preparation Program Handbook.

Most TPP courses include a field experience in local schools as an integral component. When scheduling classes, students should consider this requirement and allocate an appropriate block of time.

* K-6 LSEE majors must take SSC 105 which also satisfies the core.

Teacher Preparation Program,
Professional Education Component:

FRESHMAN

PSY 110 -- EITHER

SOPHOMORE

TPP 231* -- FALL
PSY 220 -- EITHER
TPP 232* -- SPRING
PSY 216 -- SPRING OR
PSY 214 -- FALL

Note: PSY 216 is required for 5-12 programs and PSY 214 is required for K-6 Multi-Subjects.

JUNIOR

TPP 334* -- FALL
TPP 333 -- EITHER

SENIOR

TPP 476 -- BEFORE 481
TPP 475 -- EITHER
TPP 481* -- EITHER

Note: During the student teaching experience, students will enroll in TPP 475 and TPP 481. Additional courses, participation in athletics and employment are strongly discouraged during this semester.

Specific Learning Disabilities:

In addition to courses in K-6 Multi-Subjects or 5-12 Content Specialization:

JUNIOR

TPP 422* -- SPRING
PSY 315 -- EITHER

SENIOR

TPP 423 -- FALL
TPP 472 -- EITHER

TPP 316 (required for 5-12; recommended for K-12)

Course Descriptions

PSY 110 General Psychology (3 cr.)

A survey of contemporary psychology, including the topics of conditioning and learning, sensation and perception, psychophysiology, motivation and emotion, memory and cognition, development, social behavior, psychological testing, personality, psychopathology and psychotherapy.

PSY 214 Child Psychology (3 cr. /spring only)

A study of the physiological, intellectual, social and emotional factors in child development. Prerequisite: PSY 110. Required for K-6 Multi-Subjects licensure.

PSY 216 Adolescent Psychology (3 cr. /fall only)

A study of basic research and theories concerning development in the adolescent years. Prerequisite: PSY 110. Required for 5-12 Content Specialization licensure.

PSY 220 Educational Psychology (3 cr.)

A study of the cognitive and affective dimensions of student behavior with an emphasis on the theoretical conceptions of learning which underlie education methods. Prerequisite: PSY 110.

TPP 210 Educational Technology (2 cr.)

Experiences in teaching in technology, with technology and through technology by incorporating hands-on work with computers and associated peripherals, the internet, the WWW and content software. Strategies for effective integration of technology, and the security and ethical issues associated with technology are included.

TPP 223 Integrated Curriculum Development & Methods: Physical Education, Health and Safety (2 cr. / spring only)

Hands-on examination of physical and emotional fitness, contemporary health issues and the integration of physical education, health and safety in multi-subject K-6 classrooms. Prerequisite: junior standing.

TPP 231C / TPP 231F Professional Education I: Schools and Communities (2 cr. / fall only)

Introduction to teaching as a profession with a focus on professional organizations, school grade configurations, types of schools, history of education and various philosophies of education with a format of classroom discussions and weekly group field experiences.

TPP 232C Professional Education II: Classroom and Teacher Roles (2 cr. / spring only)

Study of teaching focusing on classroom pedagogical and management strategies, development of objectives and lesson plans and discussion and observation of the various roles of a teacher. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. Corequisite: TPP 232F.

TPP 232F Professional Education II: Classroom and Teacher Roles (1 cr. / spring only)

Observation and teaching experience under the guidance of the master teacher and university supervisor. Focus on planning, pacing, strategies. Corequisite: TPP 232C.

TPP 316 Grammar (2 cr.)

Advanced study of grammar content and instructional strategies. Required of all 5-12 SLD endorsements and English license applicants. Strongly recommended for all K-6 Multi-Subjects applicants. Prerequisite: LIT 120

TPP 322C Excursions in Literacy: Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (3 cr. / fall only)

Introduction to the foundation skills of reading instruction that prepares students to teach learners to acquire knowledge and construct meaning. Theories and strategies are grounded in field experiences with emphasis on techniques for thematic teaching of reading/language arts. Prerequisite: junior standing. Corequisite: TPP 322F.

TPP 322F Excursions in Literacy: Teaching Reading in the Elementary School (1 cr. / fall only)

Observation and teaching experience under the guidance of the master teacher and university supervisor. Focus on teaching practice in reading and language arts. Corequisite: TPP 322C.

TPP 323 Integrated Curriculum Development & Methods: Art through Children’s Literature (2 cr. /spring only)

Integrated, theoretical and hands-on experience designed to prepare a student to work in a multi-subject K-6 classroom. Application of visual art by drawing examples from and parallels to children’s literature and the theories of each. Projects integrate visual arts into all content areas. Field experience is part of the junior year full-day placements. Prerequisite: junior standing.

TPP 324C Integrated Curriculum Development and Methods: Mathematics and Science (3 cr. / fall only)

Study of methods for teaching K-6 mathematics and science curriculum consistent with national and state standards, using a thematic approach with literature connections and focusing on developmentally appropriate strategies. Prerequisite: junior standing. Corequisite: TPP 324F.

TPP 324F Integrated Curriculum Development and Methods: Mathematics and Science (1 cr. / fall only)

Observation and teaching experience under the guidance of the master teacher and university supervisor. Focus on teaching practice in mathematics and science. Corequisite: TPP 324C.

TPP 325 Diagnosis and Correction: Mathematics (2 cr.)

Advanced strategies to support teaching to foster K-6 students’ mastery of mathematical concepts and skills through multiple representations of concepts, remediation to correct misconceptions or gaps in knowledge and error analysis. Field experience is through the WJU Intervention Lab. Prerequisite: TPP 324.

TPP 327 Integrated Curriculum Development and Methods: Music for Elementary Teachers (2 cr. /fall only)

Integrated, hands-on study of music and theory with parallels to the arts through a diverse selection of cultures designed to prepare the student to work in a multi-subject K-6 classroom. Field experience is part of the junior year full-day placements. Prerequisite: junior standing.

TPP 333C Exceptionalities and Diversity (2 cr.)

Overview of the characteristics and needs of exceptional and diverse learners and curricular and instructional alternatives that address these needs. Legislation and litigation affecting this population will also be discussed. Prerequisite: TPP 334. Corequisite: TPP 333F.

TPP 333F Exceptionalities and Diversity (1 cr.)

Observation and teaching experience under the guidance of the master teacher and university supervisor in an inclusive classroom. Corequisite: TPP 333C.

TPP 334C The Practice of Teaching (2 cr. /fall only)

Study of theories and practical applications to develop student mastery of a variety of teaching skills. Technology integration into the content areas, advanced curriculum planning issues, and classroom management strategies are addressed. Prerequisite: TPP 232. Corequisite: TPP 334F.

TPP 334F The Practice of Teaching (1 cr. /fall only)

Observation and teaching experience under the guidance of the master teacher and university supervisor. One lesson taught must include technology and one must be videotaped. Corequisite: TPP 334C.

TPP 341 Integrated Curriculum Development & Methods: Language Arts and Social Studies (3 cr. / spring only)

Study of language arts and social studies curriculum incorporating specific methods to prepare students to integrate language arts into K-6 content areas. Field experience is part of the junior year full-day placements. Prerequisite: TPP 322.

TPP 375 Special Projects (1 cr.)

Development of a student-selected and instructor-approved project directly related to the teaching process, which may incorporate field and university activities. Elective. Prerequisite: TPP 231.

TPP 422 Special Education: Characteristics and Identification of Learning Disabilities (3 cr./ fall only)

Study of the characteristics and behaviors of students with learning disabilities as well as the selection, development, implementation and monitoring of curricular and instructional modifications or specially designed curricula and/or instructional procedures to maximize learning in the least restrictive environment. Field experiences integrate and apply knowledge base to pull-out and inclusive classrooms. Prerequisite: junior standing.

TPP 423 Special Education: Curriculum and Instruction for the Learning Disabled (3 cr./ spring only)

Continued study of assessment and instruction of students with learning disabilities which incorporates curriculum-based assessment, models of intervention (least-most intrusive), collaborative consultation, co-teaching, learning strategies and professional presentations and workshops. Field experiences integrate and apply knowledge base to pull-out and inclusive classrooms. Prerequisite: TPP 422.

TPP 441 Diagnosis and Correction: Reading and Language Arts (2 cr. )

Extension of the assessment/instruction process through construction, administration and interpretation of authentic reading and written language assessments; planning, teaching and evaluating lessons that incorporate the instructional strategies acquired and practiced during class time. Field experience is through the WJU Intervention Lab. Prerequisite: TPP 322.

TPP 472 Contemporary Issues in Special Education and Learning Disabilities (2 cr. / fall only)

Capstone seminar where students research and discuss current issues and trends in the fields of special education and learning disabilities. Instruction in specific techniques validated for use with severely learning disabled students will be taught and practiced. A laboratory experience is required. Prerequisite: TPP 423.

TPP 473 Elementary Internship (2 cr.)

Capstone activity where the students work with elementary-aged children in a community-based setting, develop action research projects, prepare and present a summary of research-related activities and results. The internship should be completed during the senior year in the semester opposite student teaching. Prerequisite: senior standing.

TPP 475 Student Teaching Seminar (1 cr.)

Further development of knowledge and skills vital to successful teaching, examination of contemporary issues in education and development of professional portfolio. Taken in conjunction with student teaching. Corequisite: TPP 481.

TPP 476 Evaluation (2 cr.)

Continuation of the development of the knowledge and skills needed to assess various aspects of teaching and achievement by all learners, the appropriate role of reflection and self-evaluation, the examination of research on assessment and current reform movements as well as classroom, program, individual, formative, summative, traditional and alternative assessment models. Prerequisite: senior standing.

TPP 481 Student Teaching (11 cr.)

A full semester (14 weeks) teaching experience in specific and assigned classes in the licensure content and programmatic area(s) under the direct supervision of a master teacher selected by University faculty. Prerequisite: Major department and TPP approvals.

Note: Wheeling Jesuit University’s Teacher Preparation Program functions under approval provided by the West Virginia Department of Education. Course descriptions, credit hours or requirements may be revised based upon state requirements.