Education

Our programs have many special attributes:

Small class size
Frequent one-on-one interaction between students and faculty
Experiences in school classroom begin immediately
All classes are taught by professors and certified classroom teachers
Students are assigned advisors who follow them throughout the program
Technology integrated into all classes

The Division of Education is dedicated to producing the highest quality professional educators. Currently, the Division offers a Bachelor of Science degree program in early childhood education, middle grades education, secondary grades education, and a post-baccalaureate certification program in middle and secondary grades. Post-baccalaureate courses are offered leading to middle grades or secondary grades education certification. A Bachelor of Education is offered to students who desire a degree in education without being certified.

For more information, contact Dr. Peggy Perkins or call 800-538-9784 ext. 254.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Education Division is to provide teacher candidate training programs for Thomas University students and staff development programs for in-service teachers. These programs combine classroom and field-based experiences in various programmatic areas to promote the acquisition of skills necessary to teach successfully in a variety of educational settings.

Professional Commitments, Dispositions, Values

The Education Division at Thomas University is committed to preparing excellent teachers for the State of Georgia. To this end, we are committed to:

frequent collaboration within the Division, the University, the local school systems, and the community;
conducting rigorous courses with high academic and professional standards and expectations;
continuing assessment of student progress and support for individuals;
maintaining on-going professional development through membership in professional organizations, attendance and participation at conferences and workshops, and professional presentations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels

Philosophy and Purposes

As we progress through the 21st century, it is becoming increasingly important to provide students with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to become life-long learners, get along with others, and contribute positively to our society. Decades ago, many of these skills were the responsibility of the family; however, as more students are being raised in poverty, single-parent homes, or homes with two working parents, more of the responsibility for these skills has fallen to the schools.

Additionally, today’s students will certainly be members of a global community. As technology advances, students will more frequently encounter people with backgrounds and experiences that may be vastly different from their own. Telephones, fax machines, satellites, computers, and airplane travel all make it very likely that students will have opportunities to interact with people from many parts of the world. Furthermore, as people become more mobile and move frequently for better opportunities, students will likely find that their own school or neighborhood is representative of our global society. Thus, it is essential that they have the attitudes, dispositions, and skills to understand themselves and others.

Delivery Model

The Thomas University Delivery Model is designed to accommodate students in all education majors. Professional preparation begins during the student’s junior year. The student is admitted into the Professional Core I during the first semester of the junior year. Upon completion of the Professional Core I, the student is formally accepted into the education unit. The student then progresses through Professional Core II, Professional Core III, and student teaching.