BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (BA)

The Education programme at Omega College takes as its starting point the view that education is central to all aspects of human life. The programme offers a range of courses that introduce students to the many educational theories, methodologies, techniques and approaches of the past as well as contemporary educational problems particularly those of contemporary Bahamian society and the region generally. This exposure is directed at helping students understand the diversity of approaches and to help them develop the conceptual tools necessary for understanding how children learn and to give them an understanding of the factors and condition that shape the lives, thoughts and values of children. The range of course offerings underpins the interdisciplinary and multicultural nature of education. Besides the personal growth the programme affords students, it lays the foundation on which to build critical thinking, analytical and conceptual flexibility.

The programme encourages critical inquiry into the persistent problems of education, teaching and learning, student discipline, student underachievement and the interface between school, home, church and society.

The Bachelor in Elementary Education is structured on a 2+2 model in which the students at registration enter with the requirements for the first two year already covered.

The Elementary Education programme enables students to develop:

1. interpersonal and intrapersonal skills

2. written and oral communication skills

3. problem identification, problem solving and decision-making skills

4. research techniques and their proper application

5. self-reliance and leadership skills

6. an understanding of how children learn and how they learn new knowledge.

Degree Requirements

In order to qualify for the Bachelor in Elementary Education, each student must:

1. Complete all course work including the research project.

2. Pay all fees and tuition charges

3. Accumulate 120 semester credits which can be earned by completion at Omega College or through transfer of credits from other accredited college or university.

4. Have a cumulative grade point average 2.0 over the programme and 2.50 in the major area of concentration.

5. Meet all general education requirements and other requirements approved by the college.

Admission Requirements

1. Completion of an Associate degree at Omega College or any accredited college or university with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

2. Completion of 45 or more credits at Omega College or other accredited institutions with a grade point average of 2.0 or better.

3.  Pre-Admission Conference with advisor for the purpose of outlining a tentative degree plan.

4. Submission of completed application form accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $25.00. Present Omega students need not complete a new application form but they must complete the change of Programme Form.

The admission procedure is the same as outlined above in the section on Admission to Bachelors and Associate degree programmes.

Life Experience Portfolio Credits

Students enrolled in the Elementary Education programme may earn a maximum of 27 credits for prior experiential learning by submitting a prescribed portfolio to be evaluated by the designated faculty in the respective disciplines. Student wishing to get credits for prior experiential learning should apply to the Vice President of Academic Affairs for permission to submit the required portfolio. When the student has obtained permission from the Vice President of Academic Affairs, he will be directed to the designated faculty who will advise on the requirements and content of the portfolio. The student must work closely with the portfolio advisor and register for the portfolio development seminar to ensure that the document is satisfactorily completed.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

By registering in this course, the student agrees to attend every class session of every course offered on this programme. Classes missed due to illness or other emergencies must be made up through activities set and agreed upon by the lecturer of the course and the Programme Director. If more that one class session is missed in any course, the student must repeat the course unless special arrangement is made with the lecturer and the Elementary Programme Director. The guidelines for making up missed classes include but are not limited to the following:

1. The lecturer determines the make-up assignment in cases of absence

2. The make-up assignment is discussed by the student and the lecturer to ascertain that the requirements of the make-up assignment are clear and understood by the student.

3. Where a grade of “I” has been given to the student, it will remain on the student’s transcript until all outstanding work has been satisfied. If the outstanding work is not satisfied within 90 days from the time it was given, the “I
 grade will transform to a grade of “F.”

The Programme Director will monitor the attendance record for all courses on this programme. If, however, long term medical, family or employment matters interfere with class attendance, the student so affected must inform the Programme Director who will work out suitable accommodations with the student.

Programme Requirements ……………………………………… 61 Credits

CSCI 305 Educational Technology …………………  3 Credits

EDU 302 Elementary Social Studies ………………..   3 Credits

EDU 307 Diagnosis & Remediation of Reading Problems…  3 Credits

EDU 311 Children’s Literature with Bahamian Perspective... 3 Credits

EDU 313 Music in Elementary Sch. –Bahamian Perspective... 3 Credits

EDU 315 Environmental Science in Elementary Schools … 3 Credits

EDU 318 Mathematics Instruction in Elementary School… 3 Credits

EDU 340 Classroom Management and Classroom Testing... 3 Credits

EDU 352 Applied Educational Psychology ……………….. 3 Credits

EDU 359 Principles and Issues in Education ……………… 3 Credits

EDU 416 Testing and Evaluation II………………………… 3 Credits

EDU 417 Applied Linguistics ……………………………… 3 Credits

EDU 450 Curriculum and Material Development ………….. 3 Credits

EDU 480 Teaching Practicum II ……………………………. 12 Credits

EDU 481 Teaching Practicum Symposium………………… 1 Credit

ORG 499 Research Methods ……………………………… 3 Credits

PHIL 352 Elements of Logic ……………………………… 3 Credits

POR 300 Life Assessment Portfolio ……………………… 3 Credits

POR 400 Teaching Practicum Portfolio …………………… 3 Credits