COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
WELCOME TO THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
The College of Education recently set out to examine its mission. While we prepare future teachers and educational leaders, we also develop professionals in sociology, the psychological sciences, and child and family studies.
This intellectual diversity highlights the common thread connecting our disciplines — service to the greater good. Every year our graduates join the workforce as teachers, school administrators, early childhood professionals, sociologists and behavioral scientists. They have an impact. They build a better world.
Tarleton’s College of Education cultivates a student-centered approach, with degree programs built on academic, cultural and service experiences. Learning happens outside the classroom as well as inside, and we strive to provide many opportunities for both.
Come learn with us. Together, let’s build a generation of difference makers.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kim Rynearson Dean of the College of EducationBRIEF OVERVIEW
Tarleton’s College of Education trains future professionals in education, psychology, sociology, and child and family studies.
Through innovative instruction, professors guide students to develop the knowledge, spirit, experience and confidence — the know-how — to become problem-solvers as educators, behavioral scientists, early childhood professionals, and community program specialists.
The college is home to two departments — Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Technology, — as well as Education Preparation Services and the School of Behavioral Sciences comprised of the Department of Psychological Sciences and the Division of Sociology.
More than 2,000 students are enrolled in the college, attending classes in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online.
Education
FACTS AT A GLANCE
In the past five years, the college has produced more than 1,200 EDUCATORS.
Each year students perform, 55,000 HOURS of community service.
Students can obtain a doctoral degree in educational leadership IN JUST 3 YEARS, including dissertation. The program boasts a 91% COMPLETION RATE, compared to the national average of 45-52%.
Of the more than 100 programs of study available at Tarleton, THE
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
boasts two of the top five largest undergraduate majors.
STUDENT RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES: Undergraduate students can present and publish with faculty.
In the last 5 years, 18 psychology majors have published research papers with their faculty mentors.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES are available in CHILD AND FAMILY STUDIES, PSYCHOLOGY, AND SOCIOLOGY.
DEGREES
The College of Education offers a variety of degrees to meet the needs of its students.
Undergraduate options include bachelor’s degrees in elementary education, secondary education, psychology, child and family studies, and sociology.
Graduate degrees are available in curriculum and instruction, applied psychology, and educational administration. Educational leadership was the university’s first doctoral program. The college also offers certification programs for principals and superintendents.
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Every year the College of Education celebrates educators who have made a positive impact in the lives of students at the Crystal Apple Society celebration. Since 2012 the society has raised thousands of dollars in scholarships for Tarleton students.
MAJORS AND CONCENTRATIONS
Child and Family Studies +^
Child Life Education
Family Life Education
Education*^
Early Childhood Education (EC-3 Teacher Certification)
Elementary Education (EC Teacher Certification)
Middle School (4-8 Teacher Certification)
Secondary Education (7-12 Teacher Certification)
Curriculum and Instruction
Educational Diagnostician Certification
Reading Specialist Certification
Educational Administration #
Educational Technology Leadership
Higher Education
Principal Certification
Superintendent Certification
KEY
^ Graduate Programs Available
# Graduate Program Only
~ Doctoral Program Only
> Associate Degree Only
Educational Leadership ~
Psychology ^
Educational Psychology
General Psychology
Pre-Clinical Psychology
Sociology
General Sociology
Social Justice
MINORS
Child Development and Family Studies
Behavioral Neuroscience
Psychology
Sociology
Gender and Sexual Studies
+ Occupational Specialization Training Programs Available
* Teacher Certification Available
Students earning a degree in Psychological Sciences can spend a month in Italy studying the history of scientific thought and the psychological processes related to human creativity. Psychology’s Italian immersion program offers a transformational language and cultural experience.
HIGH-IMPACT PRACTICES
Study Abroad opportunities provide a deeper understanding of human behavior across cultures for psychological sciences majors. From Italy to Ecuador, students gain language skills, engage with thought leaders and participate in community service-learning projects. Study Aboard trips advance American Psychological Association goals for undergraduate psychology majors: to develop a knowledge base in psychology, scientific inquiry, critical thinking, ethical and social responsibility in a diverse world, communication, and professional development.
The Tarleton Model for Accelerated Teacher Education (TMATE) is an exemplary university-based accelerated teacher certification program, one of the first in Texas. Since its inception in 1986, thousands have made successful career transitions into teaching. TMATE offers a yearlong graduate program for highly motivated people with a bachelor’s degree who want to become certified teachers.
Tarleton’s one-of-a-kind teacher preparation and certification model provides students with rich field-based experiences their very first semester. Students explore the classroom context and gain a deeper understanding of the art and science of teaching. Students participate in a year-long residency within local school districts. This proven model equips students with a skill set to enter the teaching profession day-one ready.
Faculty-led research opportunities abound for students earning a sociology degree. Presentations are made at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Social Science Association. All sociology majors complete a 120-hour internship their senior year, integrating theory with experience to ensure future success. A number of service projects complement classroom learning for students in the Sociology of the Family course.
Founded in 1995, Tarleton’s Sociology Club is a diverse group of students who come together to discuss social issues, culture and the real world implications of everything from social justice to water scarcity. Each spring and fall the club sponsors a student-faculty debate (the Death Match) to explore a relevant topic.
DEPARTMENTS
Curriculum and Instruction: prepares students to become self-directed professionals who have a systematic understanding of education in America, particularly Texas, and to provide leadership through scholarship and service. The department develops reflective, prepared, effective and student-focused teachers. It also includes Child and Family Studies for students who want to work with children and families outside the school setting.
Educational Leadership and Technology: provides advanced education to help professionals excel as leaders in educational administration. The master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as principal and superintendent certification programs, are tailored to inform busy professionals while giving them the skills they need to succeed.
Educator Preparation Services: Tarleton’s Educational Preparation Services plays a vital role for the College of Education. The office guides students seeking teacher professional certification from the moment of application to completion of field experiences and testing.
Psychological Sciences: is committed to providing exciting, challenging ways to develop bright new leaders in psychology. Students are taught to understand how biological and environmental factors influence human behavior. Courses are offered face-to-face and online, and a hybrid blends best practices from both.
Sociology: The Sociology degree at Tarleton prepares students to understand and adapt to the changing social world by developing the lasting and transferable skills employers are seeking. Coursework focuses on developing skills like critical thinking, effective communication, and data analysis. Students will learn how to apply their skills to real-world contexts.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Student organizations help students learn, grow and lead, and that’s why they play a big role in the college.
Tarleton Professional Educators supports future Texas educators who believe that, as professionals, they must work as a team to ensure students receive the best education possible. The organization serves local school districts through service learning projects and partnerships to advance quality educational opportunities.
The Sociology Club is a welcoming community of people who are interested in society. The club discusses current issues in society, participates in campus events, and engages in volunteerism. Sociology Club is open to everyone in the Tarleton community
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society dedicated to recognizing excellence in education, providing professional development and recognition for educators at all stages of their careers.
The Psychology Club in Stephenville works to increase awareness in psychology. Students participate in conferences, community activities, research symposiums and applied learning experiences.
Psi Chi, the national psychology honors association, gives students the opportunity to participate in conferences and community activities.
The Neuroscience Club aims to improve the understanding of neuroscience in an interdisciplinary environment. Students can participate in a journal club and various service opportunities.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING
Social Justice Concentration
The Social Justice Concentration in Sociology is designed to equip students for careers in advocacy work, human services, policy analysis, ministry, and more. Coursework includes an internship to earn real-world experience before you graduate.
Tarleton Center for Child Well-being
The Tarleton Center for Child Well-being offers psychological evaluations and behavioral health services at a reasonable cost to school-aged children and their families. Under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Robertson, the center provides internships for psychology majors, along with practicum experiences for graduate students in social work and counseling. Students have the opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary collaboration in pediatric behavioral health. In 2021, the TCCW was highlighted by the university as an “Excellent Program” for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Accountability report.
Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans
Tarleton partners with the Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans at the VA Medical Center in Waco. Students can participate in a structured internship in which they assist with research on mental health problems associated with combat exposure. Dr. Kyle Eichas oversees the partnership.
Behavioral Neuroscience and Perceptual Psychophysiology Research
Students in the Behavioral Neuroscience and Perceptual Psychophysiology Research group, directed by psychology professor Dr. Amber Harris Bozer, use electrophysiological, behavioral and cognitive measurements to unravel the mysteries of chronic pain.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
The teacher education program at Tarleton truly does prepare you as a teacher. It is a lot of hard work learning how to balance your schoolwork and creating lesson plans and activities for your students, but it really validated my choice in wanting to pursue a career in education. Going through the teacher education program, I learned how important it is to build relationships with your students and that those relationships are the foundation of what you build your lessons and activities on. My cooperating/mentor teacher taught me so much and I aspire to be the teacher that she is to the students of my own. I am very thankful for the experience I gained in the teacher education program and the teacher it prepared me to be.
—Meagan Lewis, December 2022 graduateFor me, discovering the Child Development and Family Studies program changed my life. I went into Tarleton believing that the only path to working with children was to become a teacher, but when I looked further, I found a true home in the CHFS program. My professors were and still are, astounding in the dedication and education they provided me.
—Shannon M. James, August 2022 graduateI major-hopped about five times before landing on psychology, but I’ve been in psych for two years and have been living, laughing, and loving ever since. I am fascinated by how our brains work, why we make decisions, and what external forces influence these choices.
The Psychology program at Tarleton has served as a second home. As a transfer from a small junior college, I did not develop an at “home feeling” until I transferred to Tarleton. I have developed a lot of relationships with the teachers and staff who have helped me feel secure and welcome. The program has increased my understanding and awareness of the importance of psychology in our society.
—Raegan Lanciano, December 2022 graduate —Morgan Kindel, graduating May 2023
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