Programs of Study.

Please click on a section heading:

• Diploma of Education (1yr.)
• Diploma of Teaching (3yrs.)
• General Program Overview
• Program Descriptions
• Course Codes

Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers' College offers two programs of study in preparation for a teaching career in Canadian Reformed Christian schools.

The Diploma of Education program is a one-year program of study, intended for students who hold an undergraduate university degree.
The Diploma of Teaching program is a three-year program of study, intended for students who meet "university entrance" requirements.

Note: All courses are full credit courses, based on a 3 hr./ week, 12 week semester for a minimum of class contact time of 36 hours. Some courses are offered on a 3-year cyclical and rotating basis.

GENERAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The programs leading to the Diploma of Teaching and the Diploma of Education include seven areas of study: Religious Studies, Foundational Studies, Studies in Educational Psychology, Curriculum Methods Studies, Academic Studies, Teaching Studies, and Field Studies - Practicum These areas of study combine to provide the student with a firmly principled and soundly theoretical, as well as a highly practical teacher education program.

Religious Studies: These studies contain two strands: the study of the Bible and the study of the history of the Church. The Bible Studies provide an in-depth study of the covenantal and redemptive history of God's self-revelation as recorded in the Old and New Testament. Background information from secular history, geography, and archaeology relevant to the history of the Bible will be included as appropriate. Emphasis will be placed on skills necessary for responsible and effective teaching of Bible History at elementary and/or secondary levels.

The Church History studies provide a comprehensive study of the history of the Church from Roman times till the present day. The major theme in this course is: Christ gathers, maintains, and preserves His Church throughout the ages. Students are to acquire a sound knowledge and understanding of the history of the church, thus enabling them as prospective teachers to speak knowledgeably about the history of the Church.

Foundational Studies: These studies deal with major issues in educational thought, the history of education, principles of curriculum, and educational administration. Views and thoughts will be critically analysed from a scriptural point of view, while the main objective of these courses will be the establishing of a sound overview of both reformed and non-reformed educational theories and practices, so that the student will be able to make responsible decisions as a reformed teacher.

In several courses, various orientations to curriculum will be examined in detail, from a reformed perspective. It is expected that a personal position and specific instructional design format will be developed. These courses will enable students to take an active part in school-based curriculum and program development. A self-directed curriculum study course will allow students to pursue a topic of special interest, using an action-research inquiry model.

Courses in the history and philosophy of education, and the history of ideas will help the student develop a discerning mind to distinguish between changing worldviews and paradigms.

Studies In Educational Psychology: These studies include child development, learning theories, motivation, evaluation and learning problems. Main emphases in these courses will be towards the acquisition of a sound understanding of the child and his/her uniqueness as a creature of God.

Curriculum Methods Studies: These studies involve an examination of strategies of planning, teaching and evaluation of specific subjects of the elementary and/or secondary school curriculum: Arts and Crafts Methods, French Methods, Language Arts - Reading Methods, Language Arts - Writing Methods, Mathematics - Basics, Mathematics - Methods, Music Methods, Physical Education Methods, Science Methods, Social Studies Methods.

Academic Studies: Courses presenting a survey of English literature and children's literature will acquaint students with key literary works that are considered significant within literary studies.

Teaching Studies:

Teaching Workshops: Through participation in a variety of practical learning situations in workshop settings at the College, students will acquire basic teaching skills. These studies form the preparation for the practicum which is designed to offer students the opportunity to practise teaching skills in a variety of classroom settings.

Field Studies - Practicum: Practice teaching is an important part of teacher training. It is a combination of observation and teaching experience which will give students the opportunity to put theory into practice. Care will be taken to expose students to the various levels within schools, with a growing emphasis towards their area of interest and expertise. To be awarded the College diploma students must demonstrate a high level of competence in classroom teaching skills.

Diploma of Teaching Students: First Year: Two sessions of one week each and one session of two weeks in at least three different educational situations. Second Year: Two sessions of two weeks each and two sessions of three weeks each in two different educational situations.

Diploma of Education Students: Two sessions of two weeks each and two sessions of three weeks each in at least three different educational situations.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:

1. ACADEMIC YEAR:

The one-year Diploma of Education and the three-year Diploma of Teaching programs are organized on a fulltime attendance basis. Classes run as cohort groups, and courses are offered in the Fall and Winter semesters. Please note that the academic year at Covenant Canadian Reformed Teachers College is longer than the average academic year at most Universities and post-secondary institutions. The first day of classes in the Fall semester is on the Tuesday immediately following Labour Day. The final day of the Winter Semester for the year is on the second-last Friday in May.

2. COURSE DURATION:

All courses are full credit courses, based on 3hrs/week, for a 12 week semester for a minimum of class contact time of 36 hours per course.

3. COURSE TEXTBOOKS:

In most courses, instructors will select a course textbook to be used as required reading for the course. Students are expected to purchase the required course text(s), and may do so via the secretary. In addition, instructors may provide recommended readings, journal references, and other additional reading materials.

4. EVALUATION OF STUDENT LEARNING:

In addition to attending classes regularly, in-class participation, and overall preparedness, students will be evaluated on the basis of at least three of the following:

• a. Term quizzes & tests
• b. Final exam
• c. Portfolio assignment
• d. Essays and term papers
• e. Critical book and/or article reviews
• f. Seminar presentations

5. COURSE CODES

• On the student transcripts, courses are indicated as follows:
• Course numbers ending with 1: courses taken in Fall term @ 3hrs/week.
• Course numbers ending with 2: courses taken in Winter term @ 3/hrs week.
• Course numbers ending with 0: courses taken in the Fall and Winter terms @ 11/2hrs/week.
• Courses ending on X are offered either during the first or during the second term. When a course is offered during the Fall term, its last digit reads 1, and when offered during the Winter term, it reads 2.

Religious Studies:

• 301-0 Bible I Old Testament Studies
• 302-0 Bible II New Testament Studies
• 303-0 Bible III Doctrine
• 311-0 Church History I Early Christian Church - Middle Ages
• 312-0 Church History II Renaissance & Reformation - French Revolution
• 313-0 Church History III French Revolution- Present

Foundational Studies:

• 321-1 Foundations of Reformed Education
• 322-X Foundations of Curriculum
• 335-X History & Philosophy of Education
• 336-0 History of Ideas
• 341-1 Curriculum Project I
• 342-2 Curriculum Project II

Studies in Educational Psychology:

• 331-X Educational Psychology - Learning Theories
• 332-X Educational Psychology - Assessment and Evaluation
• 333-1 Educational Psychology - Child Development
• 334-2 Educational Psychology - Special Education

Curriculum Methods Studies:

• 354-X French Methods I
• 355-X French Methods II
• 361-X Art Methods
• 362-X Language Arts - Reading Methods [Language Arts Methods 1]
• 363-X Language Arts - Writing Methods [Language Arts Methods II]
• 364-X Mathematics for Teachers
• 365-X Mathematics Methods
• 366-X Music Methods
• 367-X Physical Education Methods
• 368-X Science Methods
• 369-X Social Studies Methods

Academic Studies:

• 351-0 Survey of English Literature I
• 352-0 Survey of English Literature II
• 353-X Survey of Children's Literature

Teaching Studies:

Diploma of Teaching:

• 371-1 Teaching Workshop I
• 372-2 Teaching Workshop II
• 373-1 Teaching Workshop III
• 374-2 Teaching Workshop IV
• 375-1 Teaching Workshop V
• 376-2 Teaching Workshop VI

Diploma of Education:

• 177-1 Teaching Workshop I
• 178-2 Teaching Workshop II

Field Studies - Practicum:

Diploma of Teaching:

• 381-1 Practicum I - 2 weeks
• 382-2 Practicum II - 4 weeks
• 383-1 Practicum III - 2 weeks
• 384-2 Practicum IV - 4 weeks
• 385-1 Practicum V - 4 weeks
• 386-2 Practicum VI - 6 weeks

Diploma of Education:

• 187-1 Practicum I - 4 weeks
• 188-2 Practicum II - 6 weeks