Welcome to Office of the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of Education at Sultan Qaboos University. The Office plays a pivotal role in facilitating student learning since admission to the college till graduation. It provides faculty members and students with the necessary information regarding the academic rules and policies of the University. In addition, it coordinates with other departments and colleges regarding academic programs and degree plans.
Islamic Education
The program prepares professional teachers in the field of Islamic education. It aims to preserve the Islamic principles and teachings. Students study sciences of Holy Quran, Hadith, Aqidah, Islamic legislation, and Al-Sirah Al-Nabawiyah (life of Prophet Mohammed). Students acquire teaching competencies through studying courses such as curricula and teaching methods, psychology, foundations of education, educational technologies and teaching practice in different schools. The program also aims to equip students with the skills of research and use of modern technologies in the fields of Tafseer (Commentary), Al Tahqeeq (Verification), and Al Takhreej (the research of the narrations).
Arabic Language
This program aims to prepare well qualified Arabic Language teachers able to teach in basic and post basic education schools. The program focuses on providing students with specialised courses in Arabic language and its literature. It also offers courses in different educational areas such as curricula and teaching methods, psychology, foundations of education, and educational technologies. Students of this program also have to undergo training sessions in different schools, and laboratories. In addition, the program equips students with research skills in Arabic language teaching and literature.
Art Education
The program is dedicated to produce well qualified art teachers capable of working at all levels of pre university education. The program helps students to sharpen their creative skills in painting, photography, ceramics, printing, textiles, basics of designing, sculpture, metalwork, Omani handcrafts, and independent projects. Courses such as curricula and teaching methods, psychology, foundations of education, and educational technologies along with training in different schools and workplaces, enable students to teach in basic and post basic education schools.
English Language
It aims to academically and educationally qualify English language teachers to teach in basic and post basic education schools. In this program, students acquire different linguistic proficiencies such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, and grammar in addition to some aspects of English literature. Courses such as curricula and teaching methods, psychology, foundations of education, and educational technologies along with training in different schools, and micro teaching sessions, enable students to teach English language professionally to pupils.
Physical Education
This program aims to qualify Omani cadres to work within the areas of physical education and sports sciences. The department accepts high school graduates in both Science and Art divisions, who received GPA that qualifies them for university admission system which insures equal opportunities for all applicants. In addition to the GPA criteria, the department requires students to pass a series of medical, posture, physical fitness aptitude tests. Bachelor degree in Education (Physical Education) is awarded after successfully completing (125 credit hours). The PHED graduate students can work in the following areas:
Teaching: Teaching physical education in public / private schools in both basic and secondary levels.
Sports training: Graduates are qualified to train youth teams that fall within their field of interest. In order to be certified trainers, official license can be obtained through national sport federations and National Olympic Committee coaching schemes.
Management and supervision of sports: Graduates are also suitable to work as managers and supervisors of various sport institutions such as (sports complexes, sports federations, sport club, fitness centers, and higher education institutions ... etc).
Instructional and Learning Technologies
The department of Instructional and Learning Technologies in the College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University has been established in 2005. The department strives to achieve excellence in its provision of teaching, research, and societal services in the field of instructional and learning technologies; and to keep abreast with the advances in this field arriving at quality standards on the national and global levels. The department prospectively attempts to increase its efforts to offer a wide spectrum of courses and programs inclusive those on graduate and postgraduate levels, in addition to the initial BA and retraining diploma programs. The Department admits (25-30) students each year. The graduates of this program are qualified to be in-service IT teachers, and specialists in operating and managing Learning Resource Centers, besides developing Instructional multimedia training materials for both public and private sectors. This year witnesses the graduation of the first batch.
Early Childhood Education
It aims to qualify professional female teachers in the field of early childhood education capable of dealing with children in their pre- school years. The program provides prospective teachers with the necessary skills that enable them take care of the various needs of children. It also enables students to properly utilize their observation skills and assessment tools in assessing the growth and development of children. It promotes their professional growth in terms of designing suitable activities for child growth in all professional aspects and the ability to design suitable environment for children and more effective communication means with parents. In addition, the program enables students to promote the education of children with special needs. Moreover, the program equips students with significant techniques that help them in finding suitable educational environment that motivates children to take care of their studies through proper communication with others. The childhood centre is considered a research environment that gives students additional opportunities to conduct filed research and develop their observation and research skills.
Bachelor of Education in Educational Administration
This program aims at granting a Bachelor of Education in Educational Administration. It seeks to develop the professional, supervisory and administrative competencies and experiences of the school principals and their assistants as well as those working in the field of the educational administration. It acquires and strengthens the cultural, professional, supervisory, administrative, and knowledge base of the learners. During the program, students receive extensive training in the use of technology in the administration and in the application of the modern administrative methods in real-life situations. This program differs from other programs in the College in that it is dedicated to the staff of the Ministry of Education holding an intermediate diploma.
Diploma in Special Education
This program aims to train volunteers and workers of the Al-Wafa Social and Voluntary Centers and centers of the society associations sponsoring individuals with disabilities in the Sultanate. The program acquaints students with the social, psychological, and educational characteristics of the individuals with special needs, the causes and types of disability, concepts related to the different developmental stages, genetic and environmental factors affecting development, and communication skills. It also helps students develop the ability to design, apply, and assess educational programs for individuals with special needs. It enable students to apply educational and psychological tests and interpret their results according to the type of disability, master methods of speech therapy and language, and use technology in the field of special education.
The Office also supervises the academic affairs of the undergraduate students by handling:
The College's activities during the orientation week of the University.
- The activities of the student groups.
- Timetables, registration and add-and-drop.
- Academic probation.
- Notices of course absentee and failure warnings.
- Changes of grades.
- Transfer from one major to another.
- Course substitution.
- Academic advising
- Course and teaching evaluation.
- Deferral and withdrawal from the University.
- Graduation issues.
The Office is also willing to provide assistance and answer any questions about the various academic majors in the College and their requirements. We wish our faculty and students great success in the College of Education.
Dr. Hussain Ali Alkharusi
Assistant Professor, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies