Degrees for Education

Early Childhood teachers facilitate the development of students in
preschool through third grade in all domains—language, cognitive,
social-emotional, and motor. They usually are with the same group
of children for a half-day or full day session. Much time is also spent
at this level collaborating with families.
Elementary and secondary teachers provide classroom instruction to
students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Elementary teachers
usually work with one group of pupils during the entire school day
and introduce basic concepts in math, language arts, science, and
social studies. Secondary teachers usually specialize in teaching one
subject such as English, music, history or math to high school students.
Many teachers spend at least some time teaching outside of
their subject area. Duties also may include attending staff meetings,
supervising extracurricular activities, and meeting with parents.
Special education teachers assess individual students, develop individual
learning plans in conjunction with parents and other professionals,
especially general education teachers, develop learning
activities, supervise teaching assistants, teach both academic and
living skills to individuals with disabilities, and keep detailed records
on student progress. Above all, they adapt curriculum materials and
teaching techniques to meet the needs of students with disabilities.

Program Specific Courses Include:
 Educational Psychology  Nature of the Teaching Profession
 Child Development  Education of the Exceptional Child
* Students will be required to submit to a criminal background check.
A criminal record may bar a student from employment in childcare.

Duration: 4 years
ECTS credits: 240

The Teacher Education Programme for Primary and Lower Secondary School (TE) leads to qualification as a teacher and is primarily aimed at teaching pupils in primary and lower secondary school (6 to 16 years old). It is a four-year education programme totalling 240 ECTS
credits (60 credits each year). The structure and the curriculum for TE have been revised, and the new version comes into force from August 2003.

TE consists of a number of compulsory studies during the two first years. The third and fourth years consists of optional studies, and it is also possible to incorporate courses obtained at other Norwegian institutions or institutions abroad. Example of optional subjects and in-depth studies are: Art, Drama, Educational Theory, English, Music, Physical Education, Social Sciences, Education for Pupils with Special Needs.

Assessment

Written/oral/practical examination, depending on the subject

Organisation

Tuition comprises lectures, seminars, project work and creative activities within aesthetic subjects. In most courses students are required to hand in written assignments, individually or as in a group, often as a project work. All courses have periods of teaching practice or visits to institutions and «field work». 18 weeks of teaching practice in schools are included in the first three years (6 weeks each year), and the fourth year has four weeks of compulsory practice. The teaching practice usually takes place in the primary and lower secondary schools in and around Bergen. During the practice period the students work in close collaboration with the practice teaching supervisors at the various schools.The language of instruction is usually Norwegian, but students may have guidance in English.