Foundations of Education Certificate

Program Description

The foundations course features the historical, philosophical, and theoretical development of public education in elementary and high schools. It also focuses on educational models and elements of school operation in relation to the issues and challenges of the 21st century. Knowing the foundations prepares the students the skills needed to provide systematic and systemic planning and implementation of strategic initiatives. Principles of school improvement, strategic planning, organizing for effectiveness, and ongoing involvement of stakeholders related to the educational institution are explored through individual and collaborative projects.

Admission Eligibility and Requirements

1	Eligible participants must be graduate-level teachers (instructional specialists, administrators, or any other school staff member assigned teaching duties or with access to educational facilities and programs) with current access to classrooms and a school (from grades preK-12, any content area).
2	Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university – The degree must be verified on official transcripts sent by the awarding institution directly to Acacia University. Mail or secure electronic delivery is accepted. International applicants: Applicants submitting transcripts from non-US institutions must have their transcript evaluated by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member agency. This requirement does not apply to international applicants who received a degree from a US college or university.
3	English language competency – Applicants whose first language is not English and do not have a bachelor’s degree from a university in which instruction is conducted in English must provide evidence of English proficiency. The following are accepted exams and minimum scores required for admission: 60 on the paper-delivered Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), or 71 on the Internet Based Test (iBT) 6.5 on the International English Language Test (IELTS) 50 on the Pearson Test of English Academic Score Report 100 on the Duolingo English Test 55 on the 4-skill Michigan English Test (MET) 650/LP on the Michigan Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE) A minimum score on the College Board Accuplacer ESL Exam Series as follows: ESL Language Use: Score of 85 ESL Listening: Score of 80 ESL Reading: Score of 85 ESL Sentence Meaning: Score of 90 ESL Writeplacer: Score of 4 Comprehensive Score for all exams of 350 A minimum grade of Pre-1 on the Eiken English Proficiency Exam. A minimum B-2 English proficiency level identified within the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) standards and assessed through various ESOL examinations, including the University of Cambridge.
4	Teaching position or access to classrooms – confirmation of classroom and connectivity attestation through either a signed form https://www.acacia.edu/required-classroom-and-connectivity-attestation.pdf or declared via the Classroom and Connectivity Access Attestation section in the website admission form. The Master of Arts in Elementary Education requires access to elementary classrooms. The Master of Arts in Secondary Education requires access to secondary classrooms. The Master of Education in Educational Administration prefers a record of at least two years of successful teaching experience and requires access to classrooms. The Master of Education in Special Education requires access to Special Education classrooms for implementation of strategies and assignments. The Master of Education in English as a Second Language requires access to classrooms with ESL students.
5	Ongoing access to computer technology – All Acacia University courses are presented online so each applicant must have a computer and internet access to participate.

At the end of this program,
students will be able to:

Interpret the U.S. judicial and legislative systems and the formation of laws relating to public education
Analyze current school practices from the standpoint of potential legal controversies
Examine the foundation of education in the US and how it has changed throughout the 21st Century
Explore school leaders challenging roles and impact on teacher and school effectiveness
Examine the components of a School Improvement Plan