Admission
In addition to satisfying general requirements for admission to Wilmington University, effective July 1, 2014, applicants for admission to this degree program are required by state regulation to demonstrate mastery of general knowledge. *This program-entry requirement can be met by providing an official score report showing scores (including all sub-scores) on the ETS Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (ETS # 5712, 5722, and 5732).
For complete information about Delaware tests and score requirements for educators, go to this website.
Submit official (complete with subtest scores) score reports demonstrating mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute (Praxis CORE/Praxis I). For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to ETS.org
Test takers should designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients. This enables scores to be sent directly, confidentially, and electronically. Otherwise, candidates must provide original copies of all official score reports, including all subscore reports to the office of Graduate Admissions. Minimum acceptable scores are
| ETS 5712 Reading |
156 |
OR |
ETS 5710 Reading |
175 |
| ETS 5722 Writing |
162 |
OR |
ETS 5720 Writing |
173 |
| ETS 5732 Mathematics |
150
|
OR |
ETS 5730 Mathematics |
174 |
If you took the SAT/ACT, please send your scores (Visit College Board to have scores sent to Wilmington University)
For more information about ETS exams (including how to register), go to ETS.org
Content and Performance Assessment Requirements
State-approved degree programs contribute to eligibility for licensure/certification as an educator in Delaware public schools. As such, all candidates must meet the content and performance assessment requirements described in DE Administrative Code, Title 14, Regulation 290, in order to be eligible for program completion and degree conferral.
The regulation states, in part:
Content Assessment
“Where a content readiness exam is applicable and available in area, subject, or category of specialization sought, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score on an examination as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with concurrence of the State Board.”
The assessments and minimum test score requirements established by the Delaware Department of Education for this degree program and for Middle Level 6-8 certification are:
The required assessment is dependent on the candidate’s area of concentration. The exam choices are:
| Test |
Score |
| ETS 5047 English Language Arts |
164 |
| ETS 5440 Science |
150 |
| ETS 5169 Mathematics |
165 |
| ETS 5089 Social Studies |
164 |
Performance Assessment
“Where a performance assessment is applicable and available in an area appropriate to the Program in which a Candidate is enrolled, the Candidate shall achieve a passing score as a requirement to Exit the Program. The performance assessment may not be scored by any employees of the Educator Preparation Program or Unit, and shall be scored by Certified Reviewers.”
The assessment selected by Wilmington University to satisfy this requirement is the Praxis Performance Assessment for Teachers (PPAT). This assessment is administered and scored by ETS. The minimum passing score for Delaware licensure is 38. Candidates must pass the state-approved performance assessment (PPAT) in order to be eligible for Initial Licensure and Certification as a Delaware teacher.
Candidates must check with their program advisors or program chairs to obtain current and accurate information related to the assessments and minimum scores that are required. Candidates must pass all exit assessments in order to be eligible for program completion and degree conferral.
Program Requirements
Teacher candidates are expected to complete all requirements associated with the Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Middle Level Education 6-8, including all course work and clinical experiences. The College of Education sets a required minimum grade of “C-” for all Education core courses (ECE, EDU, RDG, and EPY), and an overall cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 3.0.
Teacher candidates starting their programs in Fall 2013 or later must pass (using Delaware minimum score requirements) all sections of the PRAXIS Core: Reading, Mathematics and Writing (or relevant exemption test) prior to registration for Practicum I (EDU 390), and the PRAXIS II test which corresponds to the candidate’s area of concentration prior to registration for the capstone clinical experience (student teaching/internship).
Teacher candidates must designate Wilmington University and the Delaware Department of Education as score recipients at the time the tests are taken, and also provide a paper copy of the ETS score report that includes all scores and sub-scores. COMPLETE score reports must be received in the College of Education main office (Peoples Building, New Castle).
EDU 102 E-Folio and EDU 203 Instructional Technology are Prerequisite(s) for all other education core courses (ECE, EDU, RDG, and EPY).
Fieldwork Requirements
Practicum Courses (Practicum I, II, III)
Each of these courses requires 50 hours of field experience in an approved school setting plus 30 hours of required seminars. Although Practicum courses only require candidates to register and pay for one (1) credit for each course, the courses are actually structured as three (3) credit courses. The reason for this approach is to keep the total credit hours required for the degree as low as possible and still meet state certification requirements. This benefit represents a tuition cost savings of more than $2,000.
All practicum placements are arranged by the Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and placement protocols. Final placement decisions are made by school district officials. Candidates are not permitted to seek or make arrangements for their own placements.
The 50 hours of field experience required for each practicum will usually take place in the county where the candidate attends the seminars, although this may vary depending on availability of practicum placement classrooms. A sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a recent TB/PPD (less than a year old) and a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) are required. For students entering the program as of Fall 2013, passing PRAXIS (core) scores are required.
Capstone Clinical Experience (Student Teaching/Internship)
All placements are arranged by placement specialists in the WilmU Office of Clinical Studies in accordance with school district partnership agreements and protocols. However, final placement decisions are made by school district officials and are based on school and district needs and the availability of school-based mentors who are rated as highly-qualified and effective. Candidates are not permitted to seek or make arrangements for their own placements.
The capstone clinical experience (is a full-time, full-day placement ranging from 80 school days to one full school year in an approved setting and in a content area/grade level that corresponds to a candidate’s program concentration.
Registration for the capstone clinical experience requires prior approval from the Office of Clinical Studies and the following: 3.00 cumulative GPA, no Incomplete grades, passing PRAXIS Core and PRAXIS II scores, a sealed Federal and Delaware CBC (Criminal Background Check) Report, a recent TB/PPD (less than a year old), a completed CPR (Child Protection Registry Form) and a completed health form.
Curriculum
Courses required of all Middle Level Education Candidates
General Education Requirements (32 credits)
| CTA 206 | Computer Applications | 3 |
| OR | |
| FYE 101 | First Year Experience Seminar | 3 |
| ECO 105 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| HIS 204 | World History | 3 |
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
| SCI 232 | Life and Environmental Science (with Lab) | |
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II | 3 |
| HUM 360 | Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD | 3 |
| OR | |
| HUM 361 | Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present | 3 |
| SCI 305 | Earth and Space Science (with Lab) | 4 |
| MAT 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
Fine Arts Requirements (6 credits)
Select 2 courses from:
Social and Behavioral Science Courses (9 credits)
| PSY 332 | Adolescent Development | 3 |
| PSY 333 | Psychology of the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
Education Courses (33 credits)
| EDU 102 | E-Folio | 0 |
| EDU 203 | Instructional Technology | 3 |
| EDU 204 | Leadership and Collaboration | 3 |
| EDU 307 | Instructional Strategies in Middle Level Education | 3 |
| EDU 308 | Teaching in the Middle School | 3 |
| EDU 310 | Applied Behavior Analysis and Classroom Culture | 3 |
| EDU 311 | Assistive Technology | 3 |
| EDU 313 | Classroom Culture and Student Behavior | 3 |
| EPY 304 | Advising and Mentoring for Middle School | 3 |
| EPY 201 | Development and Implementation of IEPs | 3 |
| EPY 402 | Learning Differences and Assessment of Exceptional Children | 3 |
| RDG 308 | Diagnosis and Correction of Learning Differences in Reading | 3 |
Content Area Courses
English/LA Content
| EDU 407 | Integrated Approaches to Teaching Middle Level Language Arts/Reading | 3 |
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| COM 431 | Media and Society | 3 |
| ENG 200 | English Grammar | 3 |
| ENG 320 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| LIT 205 | World/Non-Western Literature | 3 |
| LIT 302 | Adolescent Literature | 3 |
| LIT 400 | Multicultural Literature | 3 |
| LIT 410 | Non-Fiction Literature | 3 |
Mathematics Content
Science Content
Social Studies Content
| EDU 408 | Integrated Approaches to Teaching Middle Level Social Science | 3 |
| HIS 300 | World and Regional Geography | 3 |
| HIS 316 | American History | 3 |
| HIS 324 | Delaware History | 3 |
| POL 300 | American Politics | 3 |
| POL 326 | Public Policy and Social Issues | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SOC 306 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| SOC 320 | Society and Technology | 3 |
Clinical Components (15 credits)
This is a state-approved degree program which contributes to eligibility for a State of Delaware Initial Teaching License and Certification as a classroom teacher in Grades 6-8. The program also includes all the coursework necessary for Delaware certification as a Special Education teacher, Grades 6-8, in the content area(s) that correspond to a candidate’s content area major (English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science or Mathematics). To qualify for the additional certification in Special Education, candidates need to take and pass ETS Praxis II Exam #5354, Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications. The minimum score requirement for Delaware is 151).
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