About Us

The College of Education and Professional Studies includes 96 full-time and many highly qualified adjunct faculty, organized across eight departments. The College offers 27 undergraduate programs and 14 graduate degree options. All teacher education programs are accredited by NCATE and approved by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation. The university was established in 1890 as the Territorial Normal School and represents the oldest teacher education program in the state. Faculty and staff in the college serve 4,127 declared majors (3,109 undergraduate and 1,018 graduate students - Fall 2008). The college includes 96 full-time faculty members (75% of whom hold doctoral degrees). Seventy percent of undergraduate courses and 83% of graduate courses are taught by full-time faculty members.

Mission

Our mission is nourishing and sustaining individuals, programs and services all contributing to the growth of outstanding professionals.

Vision

We strive to be a community of learning, composed of caring professionals committed to empowering individuals so they may be knowledgeable, creative and ethical as they contribute to the dynamic global society.

Goals

• Maintain high quality programs through ongoing continuous improvement and maintaining program approval through various accrediting agencies.
• Continue the development of partnerships and collaborations with various educational institutions, agencies and entities, including international collaborations.
• Continue to diversity faculty and staff in the college.
• Provide secure and quality office spaces for faculty/staff.
• Refine compensation system to be able to attract and retain qualified faculty and staff.
• Enhance selected undergraduate and graduate programs to meet community needs.
• Continue to develop and implement on-line courses to support selected undergraduate and graduate programs.

Conceptual Framework

Preparing outstanding professionals who are reflective, responsive, and resourceful throughout their professional careers.

Facilitating the learning and development of students is a complex process. To be an exemplary practitioner of this complex process requires knowledgeable professionals who are reflective, responsive, and resourceful.

REFLECTIVE
Reflection is a process of analyzing, evaluating, contemplating, and integrating knowledge, dispositions, and practice. It provides the potential for professional growth and change. Reflective professionals gain insight, deepen their understandings and grow professionally as a result of the reflective process. Reflection enables professionals to reframe situations and interactions and engage in a complex restructuring of their professional ideas, beliefs, practices, and behaviors.

Competencies:

• Assesses self as a professional
• Possesses a sound knowledge base in content and pedagogy
• Evaluates the effects of their choices and actions on others and changes when needed
• Demonstrates legal and ethical knowledge and demeanor

RESPONSIVE
Responsiveness is an understanding of, a sensitivity toward, and a respect for the uniqueness of a human being. Professionals must be responsive to the needs of the whole student. They must be responsive to the developmental characteristics of the individual, to cultural and linguistic diversity, and to special needs in order to promote the best learning possible. The responsive professional is mindful of the role of families in the learning process and engages families in healthy, reciprocal relationships for the benefit of all. Responsive professionals have good human relations and communication skills.

Competencies:

• Demonstrates knowledge of theories of learning and development including the uniqueness of and the variations among individuals so that they plan and implement appropriate methods
• Accepts the need to learn, grow, and change and actively seeks opportunities that will positively affect their understandings, skills, and dispositions
• Addresses holistic needs of students
• Respects and plans for cultural diversity
• Effectively communicates
• Engages family and community support
• Serves the community and profession

RESOURCEFUL
Resourcefulness is the ability and willingness to investigate, research, create, and solve problems. Exemplary professionals are resourceful. They identify, select, and incorporate a variety of scientifically sound strategies, methods, and technology in their work. They create meaningful activities and environments and modify those as needed. They use school and community resources.

Competencies:

• Demonstrates knowledge of subject matter, human development, learning and motivation
• Implements a variety of instructional/professional strategies that encourage development of:
  • Critical thinking, problem solving, performance skills and effective use of technology
  • Positive social interaction, self-motivation, and active engagement in learning
  • Active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom
  • Lifelong learner mind set
  • Career awareness
• Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to incorporate the Priority Academic Student Skills and the Oklahoma Criteria for Effective Teaching Performance
• Develops and effectively uses classroom assessment procedures and adapts instruction based upon assessment and reflection
• Utilizes technology for instructional methodologies and personal productivity
• Utilizes tools of research