Dec 26, 2024

2013-2014 General Catalog (Spring 2014)

2013-2014 General Catalog (Spring 2014) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Geography Teaching - BS

S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

Department of Environment and Society

(89-105 Credits)

The teaching major in Geography consists of the geography courses (37 credits minimum, shown in sections A, B, and C below), a teaching minor (17-33 credits), and the Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) (35 credits). A 2.75 or higher overall cumulative GPA in 90 credits is required for admission to the STEP. The 2.75 minimum overall cumulative GPA must be maintained for graduation.

A. Geography Teaching Major Foundation Courses (21 credits)

B. Geography Education Pedagogical Methods Courses (4 credits)

C. Geography Education Elective Courses (12 credits)

Students should complete 12 additional credits from among the core courses for the emphasis in the Geography major (Human-Environment Geography, Geographical Analysis and Bioregional Planning, Physical Geography). All electives must be approved by the Geography Teaching faculty advisor.

D. Teaching Minor (17-33 credits)

A teaching major in Geography also requires an approved teaching minor from another field of study acceptable to the Secondary Education Program of the School of Teacher Education and Leadership (TEAL).

E. Secondary Teacher Education Program (STEP) (35 credits)

Students must complete three levels in the STEP. All three levels of the STEP will be offered during fall and spring semesters, not during summers. Levels of the STEP are taken as a package, not piecemeal. Each level must be satisfactorily completed before a student is advanced to the next level. All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-. Prior to admission to the STEP, students in the Geography Teaching Major must complete MATH 1050 , unless their Math ACT score is 25 or higher.

Students should consult with advisors in major and minor departments for scheduling of special methods classes at Levels 1 and 2. Although certain combinations of majors and minors require three special methods classes, only two clinical experiences (total) should be scheduled at Levels 1 and 2. These in-school experiences are coordinated by methods instructors.

1. Level 1 (15-week courses) (11 credits minimum)

ITLS 4015 - Technology Tools and Integration for Teachers 1-3 (1 credit required)
SCED 3100 - Motivation and Classroom Management 3
SCED 3210 - Educational and Multicultural Foundations (DSS/CI) 3
Clinical Experience I (30 hrs. minimum) (3300 in various departments) 1
Special Methods I (major or minor) (taught in various departments) 3

2. Level 2 (15-week courses) (12 credits minimum)

SPED 4000 - Education of Exceptional Individuals 2
SCED 4200 - Language, Literacy and Learning in the Content Areas (CI) 3
SCED 4210 - Assessment and Curriculum Design 3
Clinical Experience II (30 hrs. minimum) (4300 in various departments) 1
Special Methods II (major or minor) (taught in various departments) 3

3. Level 3 (includes a minimum of 13 weeks of student teaching and 2 weeks of Student Teaching Seminar) (12 credits)

F. Electives

After meeting the University Studies, USU upper-division, and geography teaching major requirements, students may take the remainder of their 120 required credits in any discipline and from any department.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits	120
Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)	2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better	100
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above)	40
USU Credits (30 USU credits, 20 of which must be upper-division courses, 10 of which must be courses required for student’s major)	30 USU credits
Completion of approved major program of study	See college advisor
Credits in minor (if required)	12
Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700 or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 ; POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300 )	3
General Education Requirements and University Studies Depth Requirements