Teaching Certificate in Civics
The program grants certification for teaching civics in high schools to individuals with a bachelor's degree from the Open University of Israel in the following fields: political science and international relations (as a dual-disciplinary degree); social sciences with an emphasis on public administration and policy; social sciences, focusing on political science and international relations; and social sciences and humanities focusing on political science and international relations. Individuals with a BA in political science, sociology, social sciences, social work and law from other academic institutions1 may also apply to the program.
The study program for a teaching certificate in civics includes courses in education, methodology and practical training.
A. Prerequisite for OUI undergraduate students:
Trends in Israeli Society (10495) – 6 intermediate-level credits
Must be taken as part of the bachelor's degree or as a supplementary course prior to studies for the teaching certificate.
B. Required courses:
Courses in Education – 24 credits
|
Level |
Credits |
|
|
Philosophy of Education (10765)2 |
Intermediate |
6 |
|
Curriculum Planning, Teaching, and Evaluation (10106) |
Intermediate |
6 |
|
Educational Psychology (10125) |
Intermediate |
6 |
|
Teaching: Art, Craft, or Profession? (10363)3 Learning Disabilities (10527) (with special permission)4 |
Advanced Advanced |
6 6 |
|
Courses in methodology Teaching Civics: Methodology (69007)5, 6 |
(6)7 |
|
|
Research Literacy in Education (55476) |
(4)8 |
|
|
Practical training |
||
|
Practicum in Teaching Civics (55165)9, 10 |
(10)9 |
|
|
Didactic Seminar in Teaching Civics (55473)9 |
(4)8 |
|
Applicants to the program must submit a request to the Study Program Approval Committee, attaching bachelor's degree documentation and an original grade transcript, no later than the date of completion of the first course in the teaching certificate program and prior to registration for the course Teaching Civics: Methodology (69007).11
Acceptance to the program is contingent upon completion of a bachelor's degree, or, for students in the final year of degree studies, an average GPA of at least 75, plus fulfillment of the English requirements.
Students studying towards a bachelor's degree from the Open University must meet the following criteria to be accepted into the Teaching Certificate in Civics program: at least 72 undergraduate credits; GPA of at least 75; completion of English requirements; and approval of both degree and teaching certificate study programs by the Study Program Approval Committee.12
Students will be notified regarding acceptance and/or supplementary course requirements (where applicable) by the Study Program Approval Committee. The supplementary courses are chosen from the following:
|
Government and Politics in Israel (10406) |
Intermediate |
6 |
|
Democracies and Dictatorships: Comparative Politics (10660) |
Intermediate |
6 |
|
Introduction to Political Thought (10611) |
Intermediate |
6 |
|
Arab Society in Israel (10656) |
Intermediate |
6 |
|
Religion, State and Politics (10342) |
Advanced |
6 |
|
Democracy and National Security in Israel (10509) |
Advanced |
6 |
|
Citizenship, Theory and Politics (10903) |
Advanced |
6 |
Students will be eligible for a teaching certificate in civics once they have completed all of the requirements for a bachelor's degree, supplementary courses (if required) and the study program for the teaching certificate, as approved by the Committee.
Students may be exempted from a maximum of two education courses (not more than 12 credits). This exemption is granted only for prior study of courses with similar content matter and scope to those in the program. In all cases, an advanced course will be required in the framework of the teaching certificate.
For additional information/clarification, please contact ilanko@openu.ac.il.
1Individuals with a bachelor's degree in other fields, or individuals who have not met the academic requirements for one of the programs focusing on political science and International relations, or of the programs in the social sciences with an emphasis on political science, an emphasis on international relations or emphasis on public administration and policy, will be required to take supplementary courses.
2 Or the course Educational Theory (55004) which is no longer offered
3 If the student has already taken Teaching: Art, Craft, or Profession? (10363) and Learning Disabilities (10527), an alternative advanced course in education needs to be taken.
4 For special permission for Learning Disabilities (10527), contact the program advisors.
5 There are several prerequisites for admission to Teaching Civics: Methodology (69007) and it is a prerequisite for the Practical Training courses. Therefore, the courses must be taken in the appropriate order.
6 Credit is not granted for this course, but it is equal to 10 semester hours.
7 Credit is not granted for this course, but it is equal to 6 semester hours.
8Credit is not granted for this course, but it is equal to 4 semester hours.
9 Attendance is required at meetings for this course.
10 Only students who have successfully completed Teaching Civics: Methodology (69007) with the minimum grade required will be accepted to the Practicum and Didactic Seminar.
11The application should be sent to the Secretariat of the Teaching Certificate Programs at the Open University of Israel.
12The study program for the undergraduate degree must be approved before the study program for the teaching certificate.