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Full Description

The Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Life Science prepares students for teacher licensure in life science, grades 7-12. Students take a broad range of science-content courses in geology, chemistry and physics, and specialize in biology content. Students in the Life Science major complete most of their content coursework during their first three years; methods coursework typically begins during the spring of their third year. During the final year of the program, students complete remaining content courses, science teaching methods courses and a year-long placement in a local school district, which concludes with 13 weeks of student teaching in the spring. Life Science students are encouraged to meet with their advisor early in their program because many courses must be sequenced carefully.

Students are required to complete Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

This program is designed to prepare students to sit for applicable licensure or certification in Ohio. If you plan to pursue licensure or certification in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure or certification and contact information for state licensing boards at Kent State's website for professional licensure disclosure.

Admission Requirements

Admission to this major is selective. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a major and/or admission to professional coursework for a selective admission program. To be admitted directly into a teacher education program, it is required that new freshmen have a 2.750 high school GPA. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement at the time of admission for this major will be admitted to the EHHS General non-degree program until which time they have established a Kent State GPA of 2.750. They may then submit a change of program to declare this major.

Current Kent State and Transfer Students: Active Kent State students who wish to change their major must have attempted a minimum 12 credit hours at Kent State and meet all admission criteria listed above to be admitted. Students who have not attempted 12 credit hours at Kent State will be evaluated for admission based on their high school GPA for new students or transfer GPA for transfer students. Transfer students who have not attempted 12 credit hours of college-level coursework at Kent State and/or other institutions will be evaluated based on both their high school GPA and college GPA.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Plan multiple lessons using a variety of inquiry approaches that demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how to engage all students in learning science.
2. Plan a learning environment and learning experiences for all students that demonstrate chemical safety, safety procedures, and the ethical treatment of living organisms within their licensure area.
3. Plan fair and equitable assessment strategies to analyze student learning and to evaluate if the science learning goals are met.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

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Teacher candidates are only permitted to repeat a field experience course once. Please see  policy for details.

Progression Requirements

Students must meet all professional requirements for admission to advanced study. To be admitted, students must display evidence of the following:

• Adequate communication skills
• Sound content area knowledge (language arts, mathematics, science or social studies)
• Basic understanding of the teaching profession
• Basic understanding of adolescents
• Dispositions aligned with the conceptual framework of the College of Education, Health and Human Services, including being open-minded, flexible, caring and responsible

Faculty will select the most qualified applicants based on an interview, letters of recommendation, GPA¹, and performance in English coursework.

Applicants must have experience working with young adults in a supervisory capacity, such as tutoring, camp counseling, volunteer work or related experience. Students should contact the College of Education, Health, and Human Services’ Vacca Office of Student Services, 304 White Hall, during the first year of study to inquire about the procedures and criteria associated with admission to advanced study.

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Undergraduate students who have not completed a minimum of 12 Â鶹´«Ã½ credit hours will be evaluated for advanced study and professional phase based on their high school GPA for new freshmen or transfer GPA for transfer students.

Graduation Requirements

Double Majors/Dual Degrees

Students in the this major seeking to declare an additional teacher education major in the B.S.E. degree (double major) or in a different degree (dual degree) may have the double major/dual degree approved as long as the following requirements are met:

1. Approval is received from the academic unit administrating each major. A program of study for those interested in pursuing a double major must be approved in writing by faculty from each major area prior to admission to advanced study.
2. All required content courses are completed for each major
3. All required methods courses are completed for each major.
4. Separate practicum and inquiry courses are completed for each major as listed below:
   1. ADED 42292 (or the equivalent required by the major outside the college)
   2. ADED 49525 (or the equivalent required by the major outside the college)
5. Students who have two majors from among the following only need to take ADED 42392​, consisting of a 16-week classroom experience involving both subject areas: Life Sciences, Earth Science, Physical Sciences, Integrated Science, Integrated Mathematics, Life Science/Chemistry, Integrated Social Studies and/or Integrated Language Arts.
6. Students who have a second major not included in the list above (#5) will have their student teaching requirements determined by faculty from both program areas at the time the program of study is developed, with a minimum 16 weeks spent in the classroom.

Licensure information

Candidates seeking Ohio licensure are required to pass specific assessments in order to apply for licensure. See Ohio Department of Education-Educator Preparation website for more information on assessments specific to licensure type. Taking and passing the licensure tests prior to graduation is encouraged but not required.

Students must apply for State of Ohio Licensure (defined by completion of all licensure program requirements) within 12 months of program completion. After 12 months, applicants must meet State approved program/licensure requirements that are in effect at the time of application. This means that students who apply after the 12 month deadline may have to take additional coursework if the content, methods courses, program requirements, or licensure requirements have changed from the catalog in force.

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation