***Because Furman is a liberal arts institution with many general education requirements and academic pathways, you can complete requirements in a non-linear format, but the following is a general course of study:

Year one

Most of your first year consists of taking general education requirements, but Furman suggests that you take two Education courses:

EDU-111: Perspectives on American Education

OR

EDU-112: History of Education in America

OR

EDU-113: Introduction to Educational Philosophy

OR

EDU-114: Culture, Identity, and Schooling

AND

EDU-120: Human Development

During your sophomore year, you will continue to take general education requirements along with your core classes; many majors begin to delve into teaching methods with field experiences in local schools.

Possible courses:

EDU-200: Health Education and Physical Activity

EDU-221: Students with Exceptionalities

EDU-305: Arts Integration in Elementary Grades

MTH-301: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I

During your junior year, you will take various methods courses and explore specialty areas, including Early Childhood and special education.

Possible courses:

EDU-330: Literacy Foundations and Instruction in PK--3

EDU-331: Literacy Processes and Instruction in Grades 2-6

EDU-332: Social Studies in Grades PK-6

MTH-301: Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I

Additional courses that may be taken:

EDU-222: Nature of Learning Disabilities

EDU-223: Nature of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

EDU-337: Early Childhood Curriculum

EDU-339: Methods, Materials, and Assessment

In August, before your senior year, you will participate in an early teaching experience on a full-time basis. This experience provides an opportunity for direct involvement in the opening of school when classroom routines and procedures are established. You are expected to assume some teaching responsibilities.

During the fall, you are enrolled in two education courses while continuing field experiences in local schools:

EDU-333: Science in Grades PK-6 (lab included)

EDU-431: Diverse School Cultures

During the spring term of your senior year, you will return to your placement school to participate in a full-time field experience known as the Senior Block. You will spend eight weeks (225 hours) in the school. As co-teachers during the field experience, you will gradually assume all of your cooperating teacher's teaching and administrative responsibilities. These responsibilities require at least three weeks of your practicum teaching full-time.

Senior Block courses:

EDU-434: Content Literacy Strategies and Modifications for Diverse Learners (4 credits)

EDU-435: Planning, Instruction, and Assessment in the Elementary Classroom (6 credits)

EDU-470: Practicum in Teaching (6 credits)

When recommended for a first-year teacher/induction year position, you can apply/receive (but are not guaranteed to receive) a teaching contract. Pending vacancies and funding, local districts may offer an induction teaching contract if you receive passing scores on your Praxis content exams and have Furman and school district approval. After your contract offer, you will get a one-year Internship Certificate from the South Carolina Department of Education.

Suppose you complete a fall-only teaching internship rather than the internship with a first-year teacher/induction year contract. In that case, Furman will assign you to a cooperating teacher during the fall term after graduation. 

Required course:

EDEP-670: Teaching Internship

Furman's Teacher Education program is nationally recognized for the more than 300 hours of hands-on experiences and mentorships it provides. Beginning in your first education courses, you will participate in:

• K-12 class observations
• Tutoring
• Small-group interactions

In your senior year, you will participate in a spring practicum ("Senior Block") that prepares you to enter the teacher residency program, the oldest in South Carolina. University faculty, clinical supervisors and school district mentors provide critical support and guidance throughout all hands-on experiences.

You are required to take EDU-221: Students with Exceptionalities.

This course includes:

• Instruction in the characteristics of persons with exceptionalities
• Implications for teaching and learning
• Applications of special education procedures and services
• Extensive field experiences

You will also participate in a wide range of K-12 school settings, with multiple opportunities to interact with different student populations. You will reflect on your interactions to identify professional and personal growth and connect theory with practice.

Mentors and coaches offer skilled and experienced guidance. They work closely with you to ensure your development as a future teacher.  

Cooperating teachers are highly knowledgeable about state and local learning standards and policies. Furman selects them for their mentoring abilities and instructional skills.

The University regularly assesses mentors and coaches, including evaluations from students whom they have supervised.

Furman's Teacher Education program is committed to excellence and continuous improvement, as evidenced by the following:

• Recognized by national awards and perfect re-accreditation evaluations for more than two decades. 
• Maintains strong partnerships with local school districts that respect the dedication of teacher candidates.
• Student voices are represented on all major committees, and they regularly provide anonymous feedback on the quality of all program components. 
• Programs are analyzed to make changes and improvements.