Loyola Marymount University Bulletin 2011-2012 > School of Education > > PLACE Corps—Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education

PLACE Corps—Partners in Los Angeles Catholic Education

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Director: Diana Murphy

Introduction

This comprehensive two-year program combines coursework for the Master of Arts in Elementary Education or Master of Arts in Secondary Education with a State of California 2042 Preliminary Teaching Credential while participating in a Catholic teacher service corps. A Master of Arts in Reading Instruction or Special Education may be available to applicants who have had an undergraduate emphasis in education coursework, pending transcript evaluation.

The PLACE Corps is a nationally recognized teaching service corps in partnership with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the University of Consortium for Catholic Education (UCCE). The PLACE Corps is built upon three pillars: spirituality, community, and professional development. This University program incorporates full-time teaching in an under-resourced Los Angeles Archdiocesan elementary or high school with an academic program through the School of Education.

The ideal candidate for the PLACE Corps is an enthusiastic recent college graduate who has an appreciation for Catholic education and wishes to "give something back." The PLACE Corps member, serving as a role model in Catholic schools, will be instrumental in maintaining the traditions of Catholic education in Los Angeles.

The ideal candidate has an ardent desire to work with young people. There are no prerequisite courses, other than a Bachelor’s degree in any field. PLACE Corps recruits nationally. Interested students in the local area should attend an information meeting in the fall and subsequent application distribution meeting.

PLACE Corps members work under contract as teachers for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Acceptance into the program is contingent upon the availability and offer a compatible teaching position in an Archdiocesan PLACE Corps partner school. A portion of the Corps member's salary will contribute toward housing and other member expenses.

Participants of this service corps may be eligible for the AmeriCorps Educational Award and an LMU grant which contribute toward tuition.

PLACE Corps members are required to maintain a single lifestyle during their two-year commitment.

Those admitted to the new cohort are required to attend the Orientation Weekend in April. The orientation includes such topics as program expectation, the academic program, housing, and program funding. Incorporated into the weekend is an opportunity for the PLACErs to meet their principals. Contracts for employment will be offered by the Archdiocese through the individual school.

Application Deadline: The application deadline for PLACE Corps is January 31. The full-time commitment begins the subsequent summer.

Admission Requirements

Acceptance into the PLACE Corps admits an average of 25 members per cohort. Admission to the PLACE Corps requires the following:

Candidates must complete all admission requirements outlined in either the Multiple Subject or Single Subjects credential program as described in respective sections. Please refer to the Teacher Practitioner/Intern sections of Elementary or Secondary Education in this bulletin for more details.
Graduate Division application, PLACE Corps application, statement of intent, three letters of recommendation, signed letter of commitment, and a Judicial Affairs clearance
Interview with PLACE Corps Candidate Selection Committee
Observation Hours: All candidates must present acceptable evidence of having completed at least 20 hours of observation in a culturally and linguistically diverse setting within the age range they are planning to teach. It is beneficial to the candidate to do so within a public school setting as these 20 hours may be applied towards the 60 hours of public school observations required for credential requirements for teachers in private and parochial schools. Any remaining hours of public school observations still required may be completed during the first summer of PLACE Corps participation.

Program Requirements

PLACE Corps members will begin their two-year commitment with participation in a program summer retreat designed to support and inspire members. Participants are invited to become actively involved in ongoing spiritual aspects of the program while fully engaged in the community.

In addition to specific program requirements, PLACErs must satisfy all contractual obligations of the school to which they are assigned.

In the fall, while living in community, PLACE Corps members will begin their teaching, along with taking two classes (generally one night per week) each semester.

For the most part, over the two-year period, PLACE Corps members will be enrolled in courses as a cohort. If a PLACEr has an academic background which includes prior education courses, the PLACE Corps staff will work with the PLACEr in making appropriate adjustments to his/her respective course of study. Exceptions to the recommended sequence must be approved by both the PLACE Corps director and coordinator. PLACErs must take only their prescribed courses and may not take any additional coursework concurrently.

The sequence of academic coursework will be outlined at the Orientation Weekend in April. The PLACE Corps academic program is comprehensive and includes all the coursework and field experience required to obtain a State of California 2042 Preliminary Teaching Credential and Master of Arts degree.

Course Requirements for the PLACE Program

Multiple and Single Subject Candidates

EDLC 5000	Cultural Paradigms of Education
EDES 5001	Applied Educational Psychology
EDLC 5003	Theories of Second Language Acquisition
EDSS 6001	Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students with Exceptional Needs
EDUR 6960	Introduction to Teaching and Learning
EDUR 6961	Portfolio and Assessment of Teaching
EDCE 5970	Field Experience 1
EDCE 5971	Field Experience 2
EDCE 5972	Field Experience 3
EDES 8000	Health Education
EDLA 6800	Foundations of Catholic Education
EDUR 6995	Comprehensive Examination

Completion of the Teaching Performance Assessments (TPA)

Multiple Subjects Candidates only

EDES 6200	Elementary Curriculum and Methods
EDLC 5200	Methodology of ELD and SDAIE for Elementary Educators
EDES 6201	Foundations of Elementary Literacy Instruction

Single Subject Candidates Only

EDLC 5250	Methodology of ELD and SDAIE for Secondary Educators
EDES 6250	Improvement of Literacy in the Single Subject Classroom

One of the following:

EDES 5251	Methods of Teaching Secondary Languages Other than English
EDES 5252	Methods of Teaching Secondary Social Studies
EDES 5253	Methods of Teaching Secondary English
EDES 5254	Methods of Teaching Secondary Science
EDES 5255	Methods of Teaching Secondary Math
EDES 5256	Methods of Teaching Secondary Art

Candidates in the PLACE program may also have the option of completing the degree requirements for the Master of Arts degree in Child and Adolescent Literacy or Catholic Inclusion. More information can be obtained from the PLACE Program Director.