Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)
The teacher preparation program in elementary education (Grades 1-6) prepares beginning teachers to become highly knowledgeable about subject matter and pedagogy; and to be critically reflective, responsive, compassionate, and committed to meeting the learning needs of all children with diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and linguistic backgrounds.
Program Requirements (120 credits)
Students must choose a major designed for elementary education (33-39 credits). Majors include English, geography, history, mathematics, general science with a specialization in biology, and general science with a specialization in earth science. For specific major requirements see individual majors certifiable for elementary education.
Related Requirements (27 credits)
All of these courses, with the exception of PSY 361 and PSY 362, can be used to fulfill general education requirements.
| HIST 161 | American History to 1877 | 3 |
| or | |
| HIST 162 | American History from 1877 to Present | 3 |
| PSY 136 | Life-Span Development | 3 |
| SCI 111 | Elementary Earth-Physical Sciences | 3 |
| BIO 211 | Concepts in Biology | 3 |
| MATH 113 | Structure of Mathematics I: Number Systems | 3 |
| MATH 213 | Structure of Mathematics II: Probability & Geometry | 3 |
| PSY 361 | Psychology of Early Childhood | 3 |
| or | |
| PSY 362 | Child Psychology | 3 |
| EDEL 115 | Fostering Positive School Climate through Aesthetic Education | 3 |
| EDEL 212 | Foundations of Educating and Schooling in Elementary Education | 3 |
Elementary Education candidates with a History major do not take HIST 161 or HIST 162.
Professional Education (40 credits)
Enrollment in the following courses requires acceptance to the professional program for teacher certification.
| LLA 315 | Comprehensive Reading Instruction I | 3 |
| EDEL 315 | Principles of Learning: Elementary Education | 3 |
| SPED 315 | Introduction to Educating Learners with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| LLA 316 | Comprehensive Reading Instruction II | 3 |
| EDT 210 | Introduction to Educational Technology | 1 |
| EDEL 322 | Effective Elementary Teaching I | 3 |
| EDEL 420 | Effective Elementary Teaching II | 3 |
| EDT 415 | Developing Instructional Materials | 1 |
| LLA 412 | Literacy instruction in the Elementary School | 3 |
| MATH 412 | Elementary Mathematical Methods | 3 |
| SCI 412 | Elementary Science Methods | 2 |
| EDEL 415 | Elementary Social Studies Methods | 2 |
| EDEL 430 | Elementary Education Student Teaching | 9 |
| EDEL 431 | Topic Seminar in Leadership and Learning Communities | 1 |
Total Credit Hours: 120
The completion of a minor is not required.