The Education Programme

ASE’s Education Programme allows students a unique opportunity to undertake a pre-practicum school placement alongside a seminar course on education theory and policy.

Students choose either a School Placement or a Special Needs Placement, each of which involves spending one day a week in a local primary or secondary school (appx 80-100 hours over the course of the semester). The experience is overseen by a placement mentor (usually a teacher at the school) and discussed in a weekly reflective seminar with an ASE placement tutor. Mentor, student and tutor also meet together at intervals through the semester.

A co-requisite seminar class, Education in England: Pedagogy and Policy, is designed to provide valuable context for the placement, taking a broad analytical look at contemporary issues in English education, often comparing and contrasting these with the US.

(For students interested in education but not wishing to undertake a school placement, other combinations of education-related courses are possible.)

“Being able to teach in a different country really opens your eyes to different ways of learning and gives you a unique perspective on British culture.”

Emily Kopka, University of Illinois

Timetable

The placement is a pre-practicum, involving one day a week in a local primary or secondary school and a weekly reflective seminar. The co-requisite seminar class meets weekly, for two hours.

Credits and programme structure

All students on the ASE Education Programme undertake a school placement and enrol for the Education in England: Pedagogy and Policy seminar class. (It is possible to opt for this seminar without a school placement, but not the reverse.)

Students on the ASE Education Programme will usually take the course and placement alongside two other seminar courses. ASE recommends four credits for each of our courses, giving a total of 16 credits for each semester programme.

*It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that their chosen programme satisfies the credit requirements of their home campus.

Assessment

Course assessment is continuous and derives from a series of papers and a final examination.

The school placement will be assessed via participation and portfolio.

Exact assessment methods and criteria may vary according to the needs of the individual course.

Transcripts are provided by Franklin & Marshall College.

“Being in a school has allowed me to make connections with the students and teachers that I will never forget.”

Shayna Guild, Saint Michael's College

How to apply

Applications can be made directly to ASE through the online form on our Apply page.

Pre-application enquiries, or expressions of interest, can be made through our Contact page.

GPA requirements

Students applying to ASE programmes normally require a minimum GPA of 3.0. However, ASE will consider favourably applicants with a lower GPA, providing letters of recommendation make a persuasive case for the suitability of a student.

Minimum enrolment

Courses will only run if there is a viable level of enrolment. Acceptance to courses cannot be guaranteed, but every effort will be made to provide students with the courses of their choice.