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:
- Biology Education
- Business Education
- Chemistry Education
- Elementary Education
- English Education
- Music Education
- Special Education
Graduate Programs:
- Counseling
- Education (MAEd)
- Does not include teacher licensure
- Educational Leadership (MAEL)
- Includes licensure in Administration and Supervision PreK-12
Minors:
- Education
- Psychology
- Sociology
Certifications:
- Substance Abuse Counseling
MAEd & MAEL Programs
Dr. Darrin Martin
Associate Professor of Education / Dean of Academic Support & ACE / Director of Graduate Education Studies
[email protected] • 276.326.4220
Teacher Licensure Programs
Dr. Shellie Brown
Associate Professor of Education / Dean, School of Education & Social Sciences / 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