Undergraduate Programs: College of Education

Administration

Dean
Donald N. Schillinger

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Dawn Basinger

Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership
Dustin Hebert, Chairman

Department of Kinesiology
David Szymanski, Chairman

Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
Donna Thomas, Chairman

Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness
Eddie Bell, Director

A.E. Phillips Laboratory School
Jenny T. Blalock, Director

Science and Technology Education Center
Lindsey Keith-Vincent, Director

Address

More information about the College of Education can be obtained by writing

Louisiana Tech University College of Education
P.O. Box 3163
Ruston, LA 71272
(318) 257-3712

or visiting https://education.latech.edu/.

Vision

Our vision is of an inclusive learning community renowned for fostering competent, ethical, and caring professionals who contribute significantly to a diverse and dynamic world.

Mission

The mission of the College of Education is three-fold:

To provide high quality educational experiences for current and prospective professionals from baccalaureate through doctoral levels;
To enhance and extend the knowledge bases undergirding professional programs through research and other scholarly activities; and
To deliver professional services to the various business, civic, and educational communities through collaborative endeavors.

Goals

To recruit, admit, and graduate quality candidates and students who exemplify the capacity and commitment to become effective public educators, school counselors, psychologists, and health promotion specialists in diverse settings throughout Louisiana and elsewhere;
To provide education and human sciences students with quality programs of study and diverse practical experiences that prepare them to be wholly proficient in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of their chosen areas of concentration and which are linked to competencies identified by recognized professional organizations;
To support continuous personal and professional development opportunities for all candidates, students, and instructors;
To recruit and retain a diverse student body;
To recruit and retain diverse faculty who demonstrate high levels of competencies in the College’s programs of study and who are committed to the College’s vision, mission, philosophical approaches, and professional model;
To continue to collaborate closely with personnel in the other colleges at Louisiana Tech University as well as at other university campuses, state agencies, professional organizations, school and health systems, and the community-at-large who are involved in the preparation of teacher candidates and other program students;
To continually refine curricula and instructional procedures ensuring that research, theory, and professional practice optimally inform all programs;
To enable faculty and program graduates to serve as positive change agents through the implementation of innovative ideas, strategies, research, and technology;
To generate original, quality research by faculty, candidates, and students consistent with the College programs and goals;
To maintain a physical and psychological environment that is conducive to optimal student and faculty growth and development;
To maintain positive interaction with alumni, corporate sector, public institutions, and other valued members of the College’s external community.

Accreditation

The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). All teacher certification programs are approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The school counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the doctoral program in counseling psychology is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

History and Organization

Since the founding of Louisiana Tech in 1894, the education of teachers has been a primary aim of the institution. Highlights in the history of the College of Education include: A.E. Phillips Laboratory School was created by the Legislature in 1916; the State Board of Education approved teacher education curricula in 1925; the State Board recognized the reorganization of the curricula in 1926; the Department of Education granted the organization of a separate school in 1933; physical education was transferred from the School of Arts and Sciences to the School of Education as a department in 1948; the Department of Psychology and Guidance was organized in 1965; the School was elevated to the level of College of Education in 1970 with the Division of Research and Publications being established; the State Board approved a reorganization of the College which created a Division of Research and Service and a Division of Curriculum and Instruction (Teacher Education) in 1972; Counseling and Psychology changed to Behavioral Sciences in 1975; and in 1994 the Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Leadership replaced the Teacher Education area.

The State Board of Education (1957-1974) authorized granting the MA in art education, elementary education, English education, industrial/organizational psychology, music education, social studies education, special education, and vocational guidance, and the ms in biology education, business education, chemistry education, mathematics education, physics education, and health and physical education. The State Board of Education granted approval to offer the specialist degree in 1967 and extension courses in 1968. In 1994, the PhD in counseling psychology and the EdD in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership were authorized.

Undergraduate Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science

Early Childhood Education - Grades PK-3
Elementary Education - Grades 1-5
Health and Physical Education - Grades K-12
Exercise and Health Promotion
Kinesiology and Health Sciences
Secondary Education and Teaching - Grades 6-12

Bachelor of Arts

Psychology

Minors Offered

The following minors are offered in the College of Education:

Educational Studies
Exercise and Health Promotion
Kinesiology and Health Science
Psychology
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Sports Performance
UTeachTech

A student must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course applied toward meeting the requirements of a minor or second content area.

Transfer Credit

With some exceptions, the College of Education accepts for degree credit work, such as that taken by examination and at other institutions, in accordance with published policies of Louisiana Tech University as stated in the general information section of the University’s Catalog. The final determination of degree credit in any College curriculum is, however, made by the Dean of the College. Transfer evaluations will reflect all grades earned at another institution, but only grades of “C” or above will be accepted for credit.

Graduation Requirements

Graduate requirements are outlined in the General University Overview.

Special Programs and Requirements

College Scholarships

The following scholarships are available in the College of Education. For information concerning these scholarships, contact the Office of the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Wilbur Bergeron Memorial Scholarship
Enid Gladden Butler Scholarship (Graduate)
Causey-Tanner Scholarship
John Cawthon Scholarship (Teacher Preparation)
College of Education General Scholarships
Betty Edward-Owens Scholarship
Lanette Southall Fisher Memorial Scholarship (Sophomore in Education)
Lucille Pierce Folk Endowed Scholarship
Morrelle and Trissielee Emmons Endowed Scholarship
Gertie M. H. and Eldrice H. Green Scholarship
Estelle Harris Memorial Scholarship (Elementary Education)
Mary Ross Higginbotham Scholarship (Library Science, English, or Social Studies)
Miriam Davis Hogan Endowment
Alex Laney Endowment
James and Janis Pierce Endowed Scholarship
Pipes Memorial Scholarship (Mathematics or Science Education)
Bessie Talbert Price Purdy Scholarship
Evelyn Swihart Endowed Scholarship
Mary Ann Smalling Scholarship and Kalil Scholarship (Library Science)
Mary Wilson Scholarship (Elementary Education)
Ann Marilyn Melton Memorial Endowed Scholarship (grades 4-8 or 6-12)
Anna Claire Sisemore (Psychology, Female)
Elizabeth Morris Odom Endowed Scholarship (Freshman in Elementary of Secondary Education)
Louise Ewing Memorial Scholarship (Sophomore in Education)
Lu Iman Allen and Ann McCraw Stokes Scholarship in Education (Bossier Parish Residents)
Thomas Gaston and Hessie Gaston Watson Endowed Scholarship (Math or Science in Education Grades 4-12)
Don and Ann Metz (Freshman)

Student Organizations

The college sponsors several student organizations that provide numerous opportunities for service, professional and leadership development, and social functions among student members and faculty. These organizations include the following:

Kappa Delta Pi -National Honor Society in Education
ESPE-Exercise Science and Physical Education
Pi Lambda Theta-National Honor Society in Education
Psi Chi-National Honor Society in Psychology
Psychology Society
Phi Epsilon