Academic Catalog

2024-2025

Bachelor of Science Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Middle School Science Education (6-8) (BS)

Richard Hale, Advisor

Students in the Ocean and Earth Science program focus on global systems that control environmental conditions on the planet. They also learn to develop solutions to complex environmental problems by working in interdisciplinary teams. All majors in the department complete courses in the basic sciences and mathematics and core courses in Earth systems science, as well as a suite of specialty courses specified in each major.  A minimum grade of C or higher in all major and prerequisite courses is required for graduation.

Ocean and Earth Science with a Major in Middle School Science Education (6-8)

The middle school science education major is designed for students preparing to teach middle school science. This program meets the requirements for teacher licensure in Virginia as established by the Virginia Board of Education licensure regulations.

Due to changing University requirements, national accreditation standards, and the Virginia Board of Education licensure regulations, the teacher preparation programs in the College of Sciences are under constant revision. Any changes resulting from these factors supersede the program requirements described in this Catalog. Students are encouraged to obtain current program information from their advisors and the Office of Clinical Experiences website at www.odu.edu/oce.

Admission

Students must first declare Ocean and Earth Science with a major in middle school science education with the chief departmental advisor. All students must apply for and be admitted into the approved middle school science education program. Students must meet the required criteria for admission by earning the minimum required grade point averages (GPA).

Prescribed Virginia Board of Education Assessment for Admission to an Approved Teacher Education Program

Old Dominion University students seeking admission to an approved teacher education program must satisfy the Virginia Board of Education required assessment for admission into an approved teacher education program. The requirement can be satisfied by meeting a passing score in the following:

  • Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA): Scaled passing score of 235 for the reading subtest and score of 235 for the writing subtest OR a composite score of 470 for the assessment.

For the most current information on the prescribed Virginia Board of Education admission assessment, visit the Virginia Department of Education at https://www.doe.virginia.gov/.

Required grade point averages (GPA)

  • A cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required.

  • A major/content GPA of 2.75 is required - all Ocean and Earth Science courses and all other science and mathematics content courses must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher.

  • A professional education GPA of 2.75 is required – all professional education courses must be passed with a grade of C- or higher.

Although students may enroll in a limited number of education courses, students must be admitted into the approved Earth science teacher preparation program prior to enrolling in any instructional strategies practicum education course. Students must also meet with an education advisor in the Office of Clinical Experiences.

Continuance

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75, a major/content GPA of 2.75 and a professional education GPA of 2.75. Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences content courses must be passed with a grade of C (2.0) or higher. Courses in the professional education core must be completed with a grade of C- or higher for continuance. A professional education GPA of 2.75 is required for continuance. Students must take and pass the Praxis Subject Assessment, Earth and Spaces Sciences content knowledge (formerly Praxis II) prior to or while enrolled in the instructional strategies course. All assessments must be passed prior to the start of the Teacher Candidate Internship Orientation session.

Background Clearance Requirement

Old Dominion University requires a background clearance check of candidates interested in many of the professional education programs.  Professional education programs have several field experiences that are required for continuance and graduation from the program.  The background clearance must be successfully completed prior to a field experience placement. Candidates will be provided a field experience placement when the background check process is completed with resolution of any issues. The process to complete the ODU clearance background check is located at: https://www.odu.edu/clinical-experiences/placement/background-checks.  The ODU clearance process includes:  an FBI fingerprint, a child protective service/social service review, and a Virginia State Police sex offender registry review. Candidates interested in the professional education programs are advised to complete this clearance process immediately upon entry into the program since the clearance process takes a minimum of eight weeks to complete.

Virginia Board of Education Prescribed Assessments for Licensure

  • Praxis Subject Assessment, Earth and Spaces Sciences content knowledge (test code: 5442) – passing score of 147 required.

To review more information on the Virginia Board of Education prescribed assessments visit the Office of Clinical Experiences website, www.odu.edu/oce.