Teacher Formation
Christendom College offers a pre-certification training which provides its undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a career in education and to develop teaching skills through the Teaching Apprentice Practicum. Upon the successful completion of the Practicum, the student will receive six (6) elective credits toward the B.A. degree. Also available is a one-credit Education Seminar open to juniors and seniors. The College does not offer teacher certification.
Participation in the Teacher Formation Practicum is limited and competitive. Students must have second-semester junior or senior class rank, a minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA, and be in good standing with the College. Students are to make application in their junior year with a written application to the Director of Teacher Formation for candidacy status. The Application Deadline is Spring registration in November. Candidates must make arrangements to interview with the Director of Teacher Formation for final decision on acceptance into the Practicum. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the teaching site.
No more than seven (7) semester hours of Education (EDUC) course credits may be used to fulfill the B.A. requirements for graduation.
EDUC 521 Teaching Apprentice Practicum: The course is taken during the fall or spring semester of the student’s senior year. The Practicum lasts for at least twelve (12) weeks, with no less than six (6) hours per week under the direction of a master teacher and the Director of Teacher Formation. The Director will conduct at least two workshops each semester and be available for individual conferences. The teaching apprentice will receive instruction in lesson planning, classroom management, effective teaching strategies, and evaluation and testing. The teaching apprentice will first observe and then assist in the daily routines of the classroom, analyze with the master teacher and/or Director of Teacher Formation lessons presented by the master teacher, and finally have the opportunity to develop lesson plans and teach small groups and then the whole class. The apprentice teacher will be observed by the master teacher and/or the Director of Teacher Formation who will encourage and guide the apprentice teacher in evaluating the effectiveness of the lessons. (6 credit hours) Prerequisite: Senior standing. Practicum may not be repeated for credit.
Politics Practica
Requires 3 credit hours of Practica, a 3 credit hour Internship and two courses (6 credits) in electives.
The Curriculum
1) Practica
A series of lectures, seminars and workshops by those directly involved in politics. Students travel to nearby Washington, D.C. to learn first-hand about topics such as campaign management, political journalism and legislative research.
2) Internship
Students intern with congressional staffs, political action committees, public policy organizations, or selected political campaigns in Washington, D.C. The six-week summer internships may include a stipend to cover living expenses. An invaluable opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the Washington scene and prepare for a position of influence and responsibility in our nation’s capital.