IX. The College of Education
Dr. Mary Susan Fishbaugh, Acting Dean
COE 106, 657-2285
The College of Education provides an array of undergraduate and graduate programs in education. Degree programs and specific courses are designed to ensure the comprehensive development of practitioners able to serve children and adults in a variety of settings. While the major focus of the College of Education is on the preparation of teachers, the complementary program in counseling allows students the opportunity to develop clinical skills to assist children and adults with special needs.
The College of Education is comprised of the following academic departments and public service agencies:
- Department of Educational Theory and Practice
- Department of Special Education, Counseling, Reading, and Early Childhood
- Montana Center on Disabilities
- Office of Licensure and Field Experiences
Graduate Degree Programs
Master of Education Degree (M.Ed.) with Options in:
Master of Science in Special Education Degree (M.S.S.E.) with Options in:
Other Programs
Post Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program: A non-degree program leading to teacher licensure and/or subject area endorsements in Montana.
Endorsement Program in School Counseling: A post-master’s, non-degree program leading to the endorsement in School Counseling.
Supervisory Endorsement Program: A post-master’s, non-degree program leading to advanced endorsements as Supervisor in Reading or Special Education Supervisor.
Doctoral Minor in Special Education (in collaboration with MSU-Bozeman)
Mission
The Mission of the College of Education is to:
- Provide undergraduate education that prepares competent, caring, and committed professionals for Montana’s schools;
- Provide graduate education designed for the continuing development of clinical and research skills of practicing professionals;
- Provide community services aimed at improving the quality of life experienced by Montanans; and
- Prepare all students for leadership, lifelong learning, and a commitment to service.
Operating Principles
In order to successfully implement the College’s mission, the faculty and staff adhere to the following operating principles:
- All people are entitled to education programs committed to helping the individual develop a knowledge of self and designed to promote physical, social, mental, intellectual and spiritual health, delivered in a manner which enhances dignity and respect.
- Education programs must be designed to enable students to think critically and analytically, make independent decisions, develop social consciousness, and recognize the importance of making productive contributions to a multicultural society.
- Education programs must be committed to the concept of equal opportunity.
- Educators must be committed to the ethical principles of the profession.
- Teachers need to be prepared as facilitators of learning, able to assist and direct the natural learning processes of their students.
- Professionals in education need to develop skills and understanding necessary to help people from different cultures and those with disabling conditions.
- Professional preparation programs must be interdisciplinary in nature.
- Professionals in education must have a comprehensive foundation in the liberal arts.
- Professional preparation programs must have sequential and increasingly intense supervised field experiences to allow for the guided demonstration of skills.
- Research conducted by the academic community must be directed toward the search for solutions to specific human problems.
- Faculty must be actively engaged in community education and service programs to assist with the implementation of current, empirically validated practices.
- In support of lifelong learning of professionals in education, the faculty are committed to providing regular professional development via the graduate and community education programs.
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