Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Candidate Guidebook:

Introduction

Welcome to the Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (BSEE) program. This degree program helps candidates obtain the professional knowledge and experience they need to become well-informed and skilled educators.

This guidebook will help candidates understand the guidelines and requirements of the BSEE degree program. It will answer many questions, but candidates also will need to stay in close touch with the faculty and staff at Walden, especially with their respective student success advisors and program coordinators, for specifics regarding their individual programs. Walden is here to support candidates, to help them be successful all the way through their coursework, field experiences, and demonstration teaching (DT).

Important note: This guidebook refers to the  Walden University Student Handbook for specific information on university policies and courses. Candidates should be sure to have the student handbook available for reference. 

The following vision and mission statements represent the commitment of Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences to pursue academic excellence, embrace our rich diversity, value all stakeholders, and encourage civic responsibility through the promotion of positive social change. For Walden graduates to cultivate habits of lifelong learning and continuous advancement of their knowledge, it is considered essential that these statements guide the college to ensure the quality and synergy of the educator preparation programs (EPP).

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences envisions being a premier leader in online education offering transformative and interdisciplinary programs aligned to the social determinants of health. We empower diverse scholars and practitioners to become globally conscious citizens who advance healthy communities and positive social change.

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences uses innovative programs and inclusive learner-centered pedagogies to empower diverse scholars and practitioners to actualize innovation and positive social change for the communities they serve. We prepare transformative leaders who inspire, influence, and impact their diverse communities and advance research and discovery for the global good.

Foster a dynamic and diverse network of educational leaders who seek to support learners globally by leveraging the power of teaching and technology and who are committed to the pursuit of positive social change through education, and to valuing the inherent worth, dignity, and humanity of all engaged in the learning process through intentionally inclusive practices. 

Provide access to high-caliber programs that prepare learners as scholar-practitioners and leaders who can inspire, influence, and impact their diverse communities by helping to meet the challenges and opportunities of education worldwide. 

In collaboration with the professional educator community, Walden University’s conceptual framework articulates the shared vision of the EPP’s efforts to prepare educators to work in P–12 schools. This conceptual framework provides the EPP’s philosophical foundation and serves as a guide for decision-making. The EPP’s conceptual framework theme—Educators as Change Agents Through Knowledge, Pedagogy, and Leadership—is consistent with both the vision and mission of the university and the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences. The overarching theme is the commitment of Walden degree candidates, alumni, and faculty to improving the human and social condition by creating and applying ideas and research that promote the development of individuals, communities, organizations, and society as a whole. 

Critical Components of the Conceptual Framework

All educator preparation programs within the College have been built on professional standards that represent agreed-upon effective practices informed by our shared philosophical beliefs. This strong alignment supports our purpose of ensuring all candidates have the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions to create positive impact on P–12 student learning. 

These critical components of our conceptual framework are based on professional standards, our guiding philosophy, and our vision and mission at the College and university. Knowledge bases in these areas drive our work, and the critical components serve as EPP outcomes to measure candidate proficiency.

Walden is committed to attracting candidates who seek to become skilled classroom teachers and to providing them with developmentally appropriate, student-centered learning experiences that build their students’ knowledge and skills. To that end, candidates begin their program of study with a set of core courses and then are increasingly challenged as their studies advance in specific subject areas, as well as in the pedagogy and technology necessary for effective and creative teaching.

The BSEE program helps candidates achieve seven outcomes:

1. Knowledge and Skills—Demonstrate content knowledge, skills, and pedagogy appropriate to elementary education.
2. Professional Practice—Demonstrate the skills and dispositions of a professional educator.
3. Instruction—Promote K–6 children’s development and learning across content areas through the design and implementation of engaging, differentiated learning experiences.
4. Assessment—Use data to assess student growth to make informed instructional decisions that build on the strengths and meet the needs of individual children.
5. Cultural Responsiveness—Practice cultural responsiveness to build positive trusting relationships with children, families, and colleagues and create supportive learning environments for all.
6. Technology—Use technology appropriately, resourcefully, and innovatively to personalize and improve teaching and learning.
7. Collaboration and Relationship Building—Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with children, families, colleagues, and communities to improve outcomes for every child and effect positive social change.

Notes on Licensure

Walden is approved by the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to offer a program leading to a Minnesota Tier 3 license in Elementary Education. Candidates seeking licensure in Minnesota are responsible for completing all Minnesota requirements beyond Walden’s state-approved program. The Minnesota PELSB is solely responsible for reviewing applications and issuing licenses. 

Individuals interested in licensure in states other than Minnesota may qualify by virtue of completing a state-approved educator preparation program; however, individuals must review their state’s regulations to ensure the program meets all requirements, paying particular attention to any requirements specific to out-of-state program completers. Individuals who reside in certain states may be ineligible to enroll in this program. Walden Enrollment Specialists can provide guidance on licensure questions; however, it remains the individual’s responsibility to understand and comply with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no representation or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure.