Education - Institutional Report

The Teacher Education Program at Capital University has been in existence since the early 20 th century and accredited by NCATE for nearly 50 years. Over the years, the program has changed to meet the needs of the profession and the public; however, one thing has remained consistent: Capital’s determination to provide the best teacher preparation program in Central Ohio. The Teacher Education Program has grown consistently, and the personalized attention that all Capital students have come to expect is the hallmark of the Capital experience. Faculty are highly accessible and maintain contact with graduates after they leave the university. During the course of their educational experience, candidates come to know advisors and course instructors through repeated interactions and shared experiences. An atmosphere of “family” defines the Education Program. The University’s tag line is “The Education You Want, The Attention You Deserve.” No where is that more evident than in the Education Department.

The most recent change in the Education Department has resulted in relocation, reorganization, and revision for the program. In Fall 2004, the university was organized through the Provost’s initiative, and the Education Department moved from the College of Arts and Sciences into a new school, joining Social Work, Health and Sport Sciences, and Centers for Lifelong Learning in the School of Education, Social Work and Professional Studies (SEPS) under a new Dean. The new School combines departments and programs that are similar in professional missions and oversight by accrediting bodies. The creation of the new school also resulted in a physical move for the education faculty from Renner Hall to Ruff Learning Center. However, maintaining the quality of the Teacher Education Program has always remained in the forefront of the Education Department.

Capital’s teacher education candidates exit the program well prepared to teach in P-12 classrooms of their choice. The candidates must be competent in subject matter and pedagogical knowledge and theory. They must integrate and use their theoretical knowledge and pedagogical skills in caring ways to facilitate the learning of all students. Candidates must demonstrate commitment to reflecting on and analyzing their work in advancing student learning. The unit’s mission is to prepare competent, caring, committed professionals to teach, lead, and serve diverse communities of learners.

The university and the unit faculty offer a personalized learning environment with a focus on excellent teaching and advising. Faculty, the majority of whom have extensive classroom experience, are committed to using multiple approaches to teaching and modeling caring and commitment. They assist candidates to develop as learners and professional educators. Unit faculty are also dedicated to their own ongoing professional development involving educational policies and practices in order that they may provide meaningful professional development programs for candidates. The unit faculty have established strong partnerships and collegial relationships with P-12 constituents throughout central Ohio and other professional colleagues in higher education in order to be in the forefront of the educational community. Using their experience and knowledge, the faculty have identified the following goals for candidates which provide the foundation for the commitment and work of the unit:

Demonstrate thorough knowledge and understanding of the subject(s) to be taught
Engage in critical inquiry to impact professional practice
Demonstrate an understanding of the teaching-learning relationship
Demonstrate effective and culturally responsive practices to support the achievement of all students
Utilize a variety of tools to clearly and effectively communicate
Demonstrate effective use of technology in professional practice
Demonstrate professional involvement
Apply ethics and values in professional decision-making

To read the Institutional Report in its entirety (PDF Document), please click on the following link:

The Professional Education Unit