The IDLS Core and Concentration
Inclusive Early Childhood | Elementary Education | Special Education
Core: Courses in the core equip students with subject-area knowledge mandated by the state of Virginia for classroom teachers. Students should track their progress through the core using the most current IECE\ELED\SPED checklist.
Concentration: In addition, IDLS majors in these three licensure areas choose and complete one concentration area.This concentration provides depth of study in various disciplines and integration of disciplinary knowledge beyond the foundational, core requirements at the 100- and 200-level. To satisfy your concentration area, select one of the options below: Each entails seven 300- to 400-level courses (21 credit hours) in at least four different disciplines from an approved list curated by the IDLS office--see the main page of the IDLS website for the most recent list.
Option 1: Math, Science, and Technology (M/S/T). Take four courses in math and three in science and technology, or take three in math and four in science and technology.
Option 2: Humanities and Social Sciences (H/SS). Choose a humanities and social science "track" (see below) and take six courses in that track, plus the required IDLS 400 capstone.
Option 3: Math, Humanities, and Social Sciences (M/H/SS). Choose a humanities and social science track. Take three courses in the humanities and social sciences track and four in math, or take four in the humanities and social sciences track and three in math. The humanities and social sciences courses can include IDLS 400, but it is not required.
Option 4: Science, Technology, Humanities, and Social Sciences (S/T/H/SS). Choose a humanities and social science track. Take three courses in the humanities and social sciences track and four in science and technology, or take four in the humanities and social sciences track and three in science and technology. The humanities and social sciences courses can include IDLS 400, but it is not required.
About "tracks": If your concentration option includes courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences, you will also need to select a "track." A "track" is essentially a theme to promote coherence among the upper-level coursework you complete in four or more disciplines. Select a track at the same time you choose your concentration on MyMadison:
- Tr1: Citizenship and Public Policy
- Tr2: Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and Class
- Tr3: Culture in a Geographic Context--the Americas
- Tr4: Culture in a Geographic Context--Europe
- Tr5: Culture in a Geographic Context--Africa, Asia, the Middle East
- Tr6: Ethics, Values, and Spirituality
- Tr7 (SPED only): Family, Community, and Institutions
Middle Education
Core: Courses in the core equip students with subject area knowledge for classroom teachers as prescribed by the state of Virginia.
Concentrations: In addition, students choose and complete two concentrations in any of these four content areas: Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Sciences. Courses in these areas provide depth of study in various disciplines and integration of disciplinary knowledge beyond the foundational, core requirements. They also meet subject area competencies mandated by the State of Virginia.
Concentration in Science (18 credits)
Concentration in Math (18 credits)
Concentration in Language Arts (21 credits)
Concentration in Social Science (21 credits)
