Community & Place-Based Education (B.A)

This undergraduate degree will allow students to seek diverse employment in a variety of educational settings and work toward certification as a teacher in the state of Alaska. Students will learn first hand from Alaska and Alaska Native educators about how the unique qualities and characteristics of Alaska and its peoples lend themselves to meeting state education standards while also meeting real and current needs of its peoples.  Emphasis will be placed on understanding and application of methods for designing and delivering place-based learning opportunities for students of varying ages from K-8^th grade. Such opportunities will include formal school programs, informal learning centers/programs and less formal education delivery programs frequently used by public agencies and non-profit organizations.

Students have the option of applying for APU’s Teacher Education K-8 Certificate (K-8 CERT), a graduate level, K-8 teaching certificate program, during their senior year.  If accepted they would complete their student teaching and any other required course work to be eligible for the State of Alaska’s K-8 teacher certificate. 

Program Delivery:

Cultural benefits and challenges to public presentation will be explored to better understand how to bridge cultural differences across arctic communities and between indigenous and non-indigenous community norms.  The B.A. in Community and Place Based Education will combine on-campus,  distance education, and field-based classes emphasizing hands on, experiential learning.

Each of the values outlined within APU’s path to learning: Wisdom, Respect, Reciprocity, Relevance, and Responsibility will be woven into the program’s cohort commitment model and its outreach into communities around the state to develop educators that understand connection and interdependence with communities of all sizes.

Graduates earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with demonstrated achievement in APU’s Essential Competencies:  Effective Communication [EC]; Critical Thinking [CT]; Cultural & Historical Perspective [CH]; Scientific Inquiry [SI]; and Ethical Engagement [EE].

Professional Competencies:  Community and Placed Based Teaching and Learning majors are expected to demonstrate:

1. The knowledge and skills to contribute to the profession of education. (EC, CT, CH, SI, EE)

2. The ability to be as part of an educational community as a professional. (EC, CH, EE)

3. An understanding and interest in the requirements of continuing education and professional duties. (CT, CH, EE)

4. Competency in the areas of place-based learning, K-8 classroom education, and relevant professional areas. (EC, CT, CH, SI, EE)

5. Understanding core concepts of Place Based Learning.  (CT, CH, SI, EE)

6.  Understanding of Alaska Native and rural culture. (CT, CH, SI, EE)

7. Understanding of outdoor skills, ethics and risk management.  (EC, CT, CH, SI, EE)

8. Understanding of educational related policy, law, and administration. (CT, CH, EE)