Study Abroad Programs in Education

Transcription

1 Study Abroad Programs in Education Department of Education 900 Arkadelphia Road Box Birmingham-Southern College Birmingham, AL Dr. Kelly Russell Department Chair Sklenar Center for International Programs Norton Building Suite 280 2nd Floor 900 Arkadelphia Road Box Birmingham-Southern College Birmingham, AL academics/krulak/ sklenar/index.cfm Anne Ledvina Study Abroad Advising Birmingham-Southern College offers a variety of programs that allow you to study education in an international setting. Due to common misconceptions, many students pass up the exciting and enriching opportunity of studying abroad. Common Myths and Misconceptions about Study Abroad: Studying abroad is too expensive. You will find that many study abroad programs available to our students are similar to (or less than) the cost of attending BSC. The Sklenar Center offers scholarships to help alleviate the costs of studying abroad. Additionally, federal financial aid can be applied to approved study abroad programs. There are also many outside scholarships and program-specific scholarships that you can use towards study abroad. I can t speak any foreign languages. While some programs do have a language requirement, there are many program options across the world that offer classes taught in English. Some programs even offer beginning language courses so that you can learn the fundamentals of the local language in your host country. I m worried that my credits won t transfer. As long as you plan ahead, and get courses pre-approved, credits that you receive abroad will count towards your degree at BSC. Plan to meet with your academic advisor and with the Study Abroad Advising Staff to assure that you take classes that fulfill your major/minor requirements and give you a credit under Civic Engagement for semester study. See the Credit Transfer section for more details.

2 PROGRAM TYPES BSC Exchange programs offer students the opportunity to study abroad at universities around the world for almost the same price they pay to BSC. Enrolling through one of our exchange universities is usually the most cost-effective way to study abroad because scholarships apply in the case of tuition/fees, and in some cases, housing and meal plan scholarships also apply. Pre-approved courses from our exchange universities can transfer back as credit toward the major, minor, and electives at BSC. BSC Direct programs offer wonderful overseas opportunities for students to study abroad at some of the world's top ranked universities. BSC Direct has a direct enrollment payment process, which involves students paying tuition, room, and board directly to the host institution. Students are eligible to use need-based financial aid, but not merit aid, to cover the cost of tuition. All BSC Direct university partners have offices specifically designed to assist students from North America. Students remain enrolled at BSC while abroad through these partnerships, and pre-approved courses transfer back as credit. BSC Partner Programs include third-party organizations that arrange and lead a variety of study abroad programs for college students. Each partner program offers different options and locations for study. Although these programs differ in destination, program design, and requirements, all offer course credit that is transferable to BSC, provided students receive pre-approval for the courses they take. Like BSC Direct, BSC Partners have a direct enrollment payment process. Students are eligible to use need-based financial aid, but not merit aid, to cover the cost of tuition. BSC EXCHANGE PROGRAMS BSC DIRECT PROGRAMS University of Birmingham Birmingham, England The University of Birmingham offers one of the most prestigious education degrees in all of the UK. Course options include Teaching and Learning in Schools, Exploring Disability and Inclusion, Contemporary Issues in Education, and more. Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong, China At HKBU, education majors will have the opportunity to have unique English teaching experiences in Hong Kong classrooms while taking courses such as Integration, Reflection, & Innovation in English Language Teaching, Development of Children and Adolescents, and Creative and Critical Thinking. University of Glasgow Glasgow, Scotland Educational studies at Glasgow brings together national and international expertise in all aspects of learning, from pre-k to adult continuing education. Students who enroll at University of Glasgow will be enriched by a wide variety of education courses and teaching experiences in local schools. University of Limerick Limerick, Ireland The University of Limerick offers students the opportunity to specialize their education major with concentrations in English, biology, chemistry, geography, mathematics, physical education, or physics. Education courses include Becoming a Teacher: Identity and Communication, How Young People Learn, Curriculum Studies, and more.

3 BSC PARTNER PROGRAMS South Africa: Education and Social Change (SIT) Durban, South Africa Terms Offered: Summer term This program examines educational policy and approaches in South Africa and provides an education practicum in rural and urban primary and secondary schools to expose students to a variety of teaching models. Teaching Development Program (CIEE) Seville, Spain Language Req: Five semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent Minimum GPA: 2.75 Students who enroll in this program will have the opportunity to improve their Spanish skills while developing expertise in international education. This program pairs courses in professional teaching development and intercultural communication with local school observances to prepare majors for intercultural classroom settings. Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (Spanish Studies Abroad) San Juan, Puerto Rico Language Req: Four semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent (in Spanish coursework) At Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, students will be able to develop their Spanish skills while taking courses such as Teaching English as a Second Language, Nature and Needs of the Exceptional Child, and Educational Psychology. Chile: Comparative Education and Social Change (SIT) Santiago, Chile Language Req: 3 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent Students live with a Chilean family in Santiago and visit educational sites in Temuco, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. They take Spanish language, Education Quality and Equity: Tensions and Proposals and Bilingual Intercultural Education and Popular Education and complete an independent research project or internship. CREDIT TRANSFER Upon completion of the study abroad program, the student must have an official transcript from the study abroad institution sent to Birmingham-Southern College. In order to receive credit, the student must have earned a grade of C or better in the courses taken abroad. Study abroad courses may not be similar to courses already completed at the College. Students must be enrolled in the equivalent of 3 units minimum while abroad. Study abroad courses, outside of faculty-led programs and independent contracts, are evaluated as transfer credits. Please refer to the Coursework at Other Institutions section of the BSC Catalog for the policies regarding transfer credit. Department chair and Provost Office approval is required for pre-approval of study abroad courses. Study abroad courses may not be used to fulfill Explorations learning outcomes requirements; however, study abroad for a semester may fulfill one Explorations Civic Engagement requirement, and study abroad courses may, with pre-approval, fulfill the Explorations Self-Directed requirement. In addition, students receive 3 EEIS credits for each semester abroad. Students must complete the transient course form for study at international institutions prior to departure. University of Wollongong (TEAN) Wollongong, Australia This program offers a wide variety of courses in early childhood education, such as Engaging with Technology in Early Childhood Education, Creative Arts Education in Early Childhood Setting, and Contexts of Development: Interconnections Between Child, Family & Community. Internships available. Arts and Sciences (CIEE) Gaborone, Botswana Minimum GPA: 2.75 Students on this program learn Setswana and take courses such as Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Education and Contemporary Issues in Teacher Education in Botswana. They can become involved in the local community through internship and volunteer opportunities. Students also go on excursions throughout Botswana, including a safari and a week-long rural home-stay.

4 Major Requirements for Education B.Sc. in Elementary/Collaborative Education The following courses are required (19 units): ED 201 Introduction to Education ED 210 Curriculum Design ED 219 Creative Arts in Teaching ED 299 Exploring Teaching ED 315 Reading I: Developmental Reading ED 316 Reading II: Reading Practicum ED 317 Teaching Social Studies ED 318 Children s Literature ED 320 Teaching Mathematics ED 324 Teaching Science and Health ED 360 Methods and Materials for Teaching Students with Special Needs ED 410 Internship II ED 411 Internship III ED 472 Senior Research Project in Education ED 499 Internship I EPY 223 The Developing Child in the Twenty-First Century EPY 260 Survey of Exceptional Children EPY 320 Educational Psychology B.Sc. in Secondary Education The following courses are required (10 units and program units): ED 201 Introduction to Education One program in the major from the following: ED 299 Exploring Teaching ED 319 Teaching Secondary Reading ED 323 Teaching Secondary Subjects Single major certification (students complete major requirements in biology, chemistry, history, mathematics, physics, or Spanish) One unit from the following: ED 340, ED 341, ED 342, ED 343, ED 344, ED 345 ED 412 Internship IV ED 413 Internship V EPY 223 The Developing Child in the Twenty-First Century EPY 260 Survey of Exceptional Children EPY 320 Educational Psychology OR Comprehensive certification in English Language Arts (grades 6-12; students complete major requirements in English) or General Social Science (grades 6-12; students complete major requirements in history with courses also in political science, sociology, and economics)

5 Learn about more opportunities abroad... This major advising page only intends to give you a taste of the programs the Sklenar Center has to offer. Check out the Study Abroad webpage on BSC s website, or visit the Sklenar Center and talk to a study abroad advisor, to find out the vast range of study abroad opportunities all over the world. There are also opportunities to research, intern, and volunteer while abroad. Study Abroad and Major Requirements for Education, continued Students are encouraged with their academic advisor and/or the department chair to prepare an academic plan for their time abroad. Start planning early. For education majors interested in a semester overseas, the best terms to study abroad would be spring of sophomore year and fall of senior year. For students interested in a year abroad, sophomore year is the only option. Summer is also an option though course choices are limited. Majors must complete the general education curriculum requirements of the College. One of these requirements include a semester abroad under Civic Engagement as well as two language courses. Student who plan early can receive these units overseas. Additional courses in mathematics, English language arts, social science, and science are also required to meet state certification requirements. BSC Requirements for Study Abroad Complete the transient course form for study at international institutions prior to departure. Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA Complete first-year at BSC (transfer students must be enrolled one semester at BSC prior to departure.) Be in good social standing Satisfactorily complete the required pre-departure topics course, IS*101*A, the semester prior to your departure.