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Welcome from the Dean of the School of Education:
The School of Education at USC Aiken prides itself on preparing our majors to become Dynamic Educators who are professionals that can plan, manage, instruct, and communicate. The School of Education is nationally recognized by NCATE and offers programs at the undergraduate level in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, and Secondary Education (Chemistry, Biology, Comprehensive Science, English, Mathematics, and Social Studies). At the graduate level, the School of Education offers a masters degree program in Elementary Education and Educational Technology.
Because of our relatively small size, 500 undergraduate candidates and 100 graduate candidates, faculty know all of their candidates by name. This individual attention provides an opportunity for our candidates to flourish. Our faculty is also very active in professional organizations and in writing grants. Because of this many of our candidates are able to attend and make presentations at professional meetings around the state and around the country.
Another benefit to our candidates is the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center, the Children’s Center, and the Wellness Center. The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center (RPSEC) is a cooperative effort between the University of South Carolina Aiken, business, industry, the South Carolina Department of Education, and schools within the Central Savannah River Area of South Carolina and Georgia. The RPSEC challenges the present and inspires the future to effect systemic change in science, mathematics, technology and environmental education.
The USCA Children’s Center is licensed by the State of South Carolina and is nationally accredited. The Center is open twelve months a year. Full-time care is available for children ages six weeks through five years. The Children’s Center not only provides quality child care, but also serves as a training and research site for the USCA School of Education’s Early Childhood Education program.
The mission of the USCA Wellness Center is to offer the USCA family and the extended community exercise, educational and rehabilitative programs to promote a healthy lifestyle. The Center seeks to provide safe, clean, well-equipped facilities and trained, caring staff to the campus and the Aiken community. The Wellness Center supports student training and education through its hiring and provides clinical practice for students in the Exercise and Sports Science programs.
Finally, the School of Education houses two Center’s of Excellence; the Center of Excellence in Educational Technology (CEET) and the Center of Excellence for the Advancement of Rural, Under-Performing Schools (CEARUPS). The main purpose for the CEET is to help incorporate educational technology into the classroom. The staff of the CEET works with pk-12 students, pk-12 teachers, undergraduates, graduates, and faculty from across the state. CEARUPS is located at Allendale Elementary School in Allendale and provides opportunities for undergraduate education majors to work with underprivileged elementary students in a rural setting. CEARUPS is part of the elementary education program that is offered in partnership with USC Salkehatchie in Allendale.
As you can see, for such a small program, the School of Education has a lot to offer those who seek to become Dynamic Educators. Please take the time to explore our web site and feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Jeff Priest, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Education
