Educational Sciences, Foundations & Research

(Formerly Professional Teacher Education)

Welcome to the Department of Educational Sciences, Foundations & Research (ESFR) in the College of Education and Professional Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma! The ESFR Department collaborates with other education programs at UCO in preparing teachers for certification and/or graduation through the Undergraduate Professional Sequence—courses providing the foundations and pedagogies of teaching, as well as field work. 

At the graduate level, the department offers a Master of Education in Secondary Education. This program has two “pathways”:  one that is uniquely designed to deepen content knowledge while advancing the pedagogical strategies of traditionally-certified teachers, and the other that is personally tailored for the inexperienced (and/or future) teachers that provides fundamental teaching strategies prior to more advanced applications of instructional practice. The second path is designed particularly for those who have an interest in or who are fulfilling requirements of Oklahoma’s alternative teacher certification process. Both pathways provide scholarly graduate experiences, including practical applications and research and service opportunities, in order to advance program completers’ abilities to be reflective, responsive, and resourceful educators.

The department has eleven full-time faculty members, all who have earned doctorates in Education and/or Philosophy in the areas of curriculum and instruction, educational psychology, applied behavioral studies, foundations of education, or educational leadership and policy studies. Additionally, department faculty all have years of experience as teachers, counselors and/or administrators at the early childhood, elementary, middle and/or high school levels.

Program

• Master of Education in Secondary Education

Certification

• Oklahoma Gifted Education Specialist Certification

Career Opportunities

The demand for teachers of high quality is strong, particularly in some credentialing areas. For further information on locating teaching positions and areas of high need, visit the U.S. Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Department of Education websites. 

Teacher education is an excellent background for many education-related or human-service positions in business and industry, as well as other people-centered careers. Certification and/or graduation from an education program at the University of Central Oklahoma provides an excellent base, and may be a requirement, for pursuing graduate studies and additional certification in a variety of areas such as for reading specialists, library media specialists, educational administrators, and school counselors.

UCO Career Services provides counseling information, resume preparation, and job fair information. For information visit the UCO Career Services website, or call the Career Services office at 405-974-3346.

The Teacher Job Fair, held annually at the University of Central Oklahoma, is attended by local and out-of state school districts looking to hire teachers, speech language pathologists, school nurses, school counselors, school psychologists, school psychometrists, library media specialists, and school administrators.

Certification

Undergraduate Students
Students in undergraduate teacher certification programs at the University of Central Oklahoma are required to complete courses in the Undergraduate Professional Sequence as part of their total program. For more information, view PTE course offerings in the UCO undergraduate catalog.

UCO undergraduate teacher education students with certification questions should contact Ms. Karen Davis, Certification Analyst/Residency Coordinator, in EDU 207, 405-974-5710.

Information about the Certification Examinations for Oklahoma Educators can be found on the website of the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation.

Graduate Students
The Master of Education in Secondary Education does not grant teacher certification. However, the program does provide coursework and professional experiences that assist students in meeting the requirements of the State of Oklahoma for alternative certification. For information on routes to non-traditional teacher certification visit the Oklahoma State Department of Education website.

FAQ

Where do I go for advisement regarding the requirements for completion of a bachelor's degree in a teacher education area?
Direct advisement regarding the requirements for the completion of a bachelor's degree in teacher education is provided in the Academic Advisement Center, UC 121, 405-974-3338.

If I already have a bachelor's degree that is not in teaching, whom should I see if I am interested in obtaining teacher certification?
Mrs. Karen Davis, Residency and Certification Coordinator, provides teacher certification advisement to individuals holding non-teaching bachelor's degrees who are seeking traditional coursework and student teaching for teacher certification. Her office is located in EDU 207, 405-974-5710. 

Dr. Mike Nelson, program coordinator for the M.Ed.-Secondary Education program, can also provide details for those with a bachelor’s degree who wish to complete a master’s degree while pursuing an alternative path to teaching certification. 

If I completed courses in the Professional Sequence at another university or several years ago at UCO, what do I need to complete in regard to the education portfolio?
For courses in the Professional Sequence (PTE courses), you will need to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Diane H. Jackson, Chair of the Department of Educational Sciences, Foundations & Research, regarding portfolio requirements for courses completed at other universities or completed previously at UCO. For portfolio requirements within your major area (ECED, ELED, ENG, HIST, SPS, etc.), you will need to contact the respective department chair. 

Transfer courses must be (1) from an accredited (NCATE/TEAC/CAEP/etc.) university, (2) within one level of UCO’s course number, and (3) similar to the course content and activities provided at UCO. 

When meeting with Dr. Jackson regarding transfer/substitution courses, you will need (1) a copy of transcripts including the courses you are requesting to transfer; (2) a copy of the course descriptions from the course catalog of the transferring university; (3) documentation of field experience hours completed, if applicable; and (4) portfolio artifacts/assignments you completed while at the transferring university.

What is the administrative sequence of the teacher education programs at the University of Central Oklahoma?
Dr. Bryan Duke serves as the Associate Dean of the College and as Director of Teacher Education Services.  Karen Davis is in charge of field experiences. Dr. James Machell is the Dean of the College of Education & Professional Studies.

If I have questions about field experiences or student teaching, whom should I contact?
Karen Davis handles Field Experiences at UCO, can answer questions regarding field experiences or student teaching.

If I do not know where to go to obtain answers to my questions regarding teacher education, where should I begin?
Contact Teacher Education Services, EDU 207, 405-974-5710, for general information regarding teacher education or for guidance regarding the best person to address your questions. Additionally, you should become familiar with the Teacher Education Handbook that is online. Be sure to notice the recommended sequence of courses, the program’s foreign language requirement, and deadlines for applications for Admission to Teacher Education and for Admission to Student Teaching. 

What unexpected costs are associated with the teacher education program?
Students must purchase and utilize an electronic portfolio (Pass-Port) as part of program completion. Additionally, students will be required to pay for and participate in a federal background check prior to completing field experiences in the public schools. Both the portfolio and the background check will be discussed in PTE 3023 Foundations of American Education. Students transferring a foundations course (substituting for PTE 3023) from another university should contact Teacher Education Services regarding the background check and/or Portfolio Support Staff regarding the portfolio. There may be other costs not listed here. 

Where can I get training and support for utilizing the electronic portfolio?
Students can find training and electronic portfolio support in the EDU 112 Computer Lab, 405-974-5428. Students may also contact eportfolio@uco.edu for eportfolio needs.

What kinds of scholarships are available for undergraduate teacher education students and M.Ed.-Secondary Education students?
Students may access scholarship information through the "Scholarships and Giving" page. Students should also watch for announcements regarding tuition fee waivers provided by each department in the CEPS. Additional scholarship sources might be found through UCO’s Foundation website and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education website. 

If I have questions regarding the M.Ed.-Secondary Education program, whom should I contact?
Dr. Mike Nelson, program coordinator for the master’s degree in Secondary Education, can provide information, brochures, graduate advisement and assistance. 

Students in the program who are seeking alternative teacher certification in the State of Oklahoma should consult the Oklahoma State Department of Education website. For graduate PTE course offerings view the UCO graduate catalog.

Do I have to have a teaching certificate to be admitted into the M.Ed.-Secondary Education program?
No. A number of our program students work on their alternative teaching certification while they are completing their master’s degree.

Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association

Rocky Mountain Educational Research Association (RMERA) held it 39th Annual Meeting October 23-24, 2008, on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma. The Conference included multiple sessions and a poster presentation event where educational practitioners and researchers shared experiences about the schooling process and population. Read More

Kappa Delta Pi

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), an international education honor society for education majors in all programs. Read More 

Student Oklahoma Education Association

The Student Oklahoma Education Association (SOEA) is an organization open to all students who wish to affiliate with a professional organization in education and is affiliated with the National Education Association. Read More

Program Coordinators

• Professional Education Sequence (Undergraduate) Coordinator: Dr. Regenia James
• Master of Secondary Education (Graduate) Coordinator: Dr. Mike Nelson

Contact Information

Department offices are located in the Center for Transformative Learning, Suite 206.

• Department Phone Number: 405-974-5431
• Department Fax Number: 405-974-3830
• Campus Mail Box Number: 206
• Department Chair: Dr. Diane H. Jackson
• Administrative Assistant: Ms. JoAnn Morton

Department of Educational Sciences, Foundations & Research
College of Education & Professional Studies
University of Central Oklahoma
100 N University Dr
Edmond, OK 73034-5209