The undergraduate programs in educational studies have as their primary objective the preparation of well-educated teachers for public and private schools in Kentucky and the nation. The teacher education programs prepare the student to receive a baccalaureate degree and, upon recommendation of the college, a Kentucky teacher’s certificate. A student who wishes to teach in a state other than Kentucky should determine certification requirements in that state and plan a program accordingly. Information on certification requirements in other states is available in the Career Planning and Placement Office.

Students preparing for teacher certification must be admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Up to nine hours of education courses (EDUC 210, 211, 231 and SPED 321) may be taken prior to admission to teacher education. Graduates continuing their professional preparation through the graduate studies program and seeking initial certification must also be admitted to the teacher education program and fulfill the requirements described in the catalog.

In conjunction with the graduate program, an Alternative Certification track is available for those who have been hired by a school system. Applicants for this program should contact the Department of Graduate Studies for program details.

Teacher education at Union is an outgrowth of the liberal arts foundation of the college. We believe that a liberal arts education will strengthen prospective teachers, giving them the intellectual resources needed in today’s classrooms. The Educational Studies Department is a specialized learning community dedicated to refining personal, intellectual, and social transformations for educators who will become leaders in their schools and service areas.

Technology is also a component of the program. A disk-based Electronic Student Portfolio will follow the student from the first course in education through student teaching. Students will create their portfolios early in the program and develop their ESP's, collecting outstanding examples of the work for faculty assessment.