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Home > Academics > Colleges & Schools > School of Education and Social Sciences

School of Education & Social Sciences

Warm, caring, and professional relationships form and last for a lifetime among graduates, faculty, and staff in the School of Education and Social Sciences at Bluefield University.

Welcome to the School of Education & Social Sciences

From initial advising through varied course work and onto the joys and challenges of student teaching, our faculty members are always ready to encourage and guide students to become reflective practitioners.  If your passion is to positively impact children and adolescents as a public school teacher, then the Bluefield University School of Education and Social Sciences welcomes you to begin that journey with us.

At the core of the School of Education and Social Sciences is the belief that highly effective teachers must be reflective practitioners.  Education students have countless opportunities for reflection, critical thinking, and self-evaluation in their education coursework and field experiences.  In addition, content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and caring teaching skills form the foundation of coursework, assignments, demonstrations, research, and evaluations.  Threaded throughout the entire program are the ideals of valuing diversity and embracing technology with the ultimate goal of achieving a professional collegiate teaching license.

At Bluefield University, students can earn a bachelor’s degree and complete requirements for a Virginia teaching license in four years from a nationally accredited program.  Bluefield University’s Teacher Education Program, which is designed to prepare competent, caring, and qualified teachers who are reflective practitioners, is awarded TEAC accreditation by the Inquiry Brief Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for a period of seven years, from 10/24/2016-12/31/2023.  The accreditation does not include individual education courses that the EPP offers to P-12 educators for professional development, re-licensure, or other purposes.  This accreditation certifies that Bluefield University’s Teacher Education Program has provided evidence that its program adheres to TEAC’s quality principles.

The Bluefield University School of Education and Social Sciences has a history of more than 40 years of graduating highly qualified and successful classroom teachers in the undergraduate teacher licensure programs. The graduate programs in Curriculum and Instruction (MAEd), Educational Leadership (MAEL), and Counseling (MA) are built on that successful history.

Undergraduate Programs:

Teacher Licensure Undergraduate Programs:

Graduate Programs:

Minors:

  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

Certifications:

  • Substance Abuse Counseling

MAEd & MAEL Programs

Dr. Darrin Martin

Dean of Academic Support & ACE, Interim Dean of the School of Education & Social Sciences

[email protected] • 276.326.4220

Teacher Licensure Programs

Dr. Shellie Brown

Associate Professor of Education / Director of Teacher Education

[email protected] • 276.326.4475

Counseling Programs

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education / Co-Director of Counseling

[email protected] • 276.326.4307

Psychology & Human Services Programs

Dr. Mark Gettle

Assistant Professor of Psychology & Human Services / Interim Department Chair, Psychology & Human Services

[email protected] • 804.614.5948

Early Childhood Education Programs

Leslie Floyd

Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education / Department Chair, Early Childhood Education

[email protected] • 540.397.5942

Alumni Recognition & Performance Data

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Moran

Associate Professor of Counseling

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education & Counseling,
Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program,
Title IX Confidential Counselor

Our team is here for you! How can we help?

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