What We Do
In the Office of Clinical Experiences and Candidate Services, our work is focused
on communicating with all WCU faculty and staff, K-12 partners, and WCU students to
first understand needs and requirements, and to then align our processes for student
success in our programs.
Our Mission
The Mission and Vision of The College of Education and Social Work provide an integrated
framework for teaching, learning, and professional behaviors. The Mission, which is
the core of the Conceptual Framework for each Educator Preparation Program (EPP),
is accomplished through:
- Teaching: We value excellence in our academic and instructional pursuits. We are committed
to applying research and theory in practice facilitated through meaningful engagement
with Candidates.
- Applied Practice: We believe in engaging our Candidates in educational settings that allow them to
learn by the direct hands-on application of theory, skills, concepts, and models in
real-world experiences.
- Research and Scholarship: We believe in engaging Candidates in scholarly excellence and research that contributes
to the field of education, schools, and communities.
- Service: We believe meaningful learning occurs when Candidates engage in personal and professional
development in serving the needs of others.
- Local and Global Partnerships: We commit to working cooperatively in establishing meaningful partnerships with
P-12 educational systems as well as university, local, and national communities to
improve the educational outcomes, economic vitality, and well-being of everyone.
- Leadership: We believe in fostering the leadership skills of all Candidates.
- Innovative Practice: We believe in creating innovative experiences and approaches to advance new knowledge,
solve problems, and improve our practice.
- Ethics and Values: We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards and strive for personal and professional
integrity.
This framework and methods of delivery guides the work in each EPP. In fulfilling
its mission, the EPP educates Candidates who are:
- Lifelong Learners who have an enduring purpose to become a better professional with high expectations
for themselves and others.
- Scholars who actively engage with the discovery of new knowledge or broaden and deepen existing
knowledge, and apply knowledge to affect improvement.
- Evidence-Based Decision Makers who use data-driven facts and intellectual standards to make informed decisions.
- Reflective and Skilled Practitioners who have the ability to analyze, assess, and revise practice in light of students'
performance, learning theory, research, and constructive feedback.
- Social Justice Advocates who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to confront social inequality and
promote equity within their sphere of influence (Adams, 2010).
- Innovators of Applied Technology who have the ability to use and leverage technology to address the needs of all learners.
Developing professional behaviors is essential to the EPPs. The EPPs take pride in
developing the Professional Dispositions and Requirements essential to the professional field. The EPPs are committed to Candidates. Our programs
not only educate Candidates, but they monitor those behaviors and provide strategic
support as Candidates matriculate though their program.
