Be sure to refer to the Suggested Academic Plan and consult with your adviser regarding the proper sequence of courses.
The Elementary Education program prepares students to enter the teaching profession ready to thrive. Coursework is rooted in researched best practices for teaching and learning, and incorporates some of the newest trends in the field of education.
For example, the academic plan includes “Basic Preparation for Teaching” (EDUC 302) and “Creative Arts” (EDUC 305). Students learn the basics of lesson planning and how the creative arts can be used to engage their learners in the lesson. In another semester, “Modern Elementary Science Education” (EDCI 454) teaches students how to stimulate scientific thinking in elementary and middle school. Students are hands on with the latest STEAM materials and concepts. During the fourth year, students dig into effective practices for helping learners with diverse needs succeed in their classroom in “Inclusive Practices in General Education Classrooms” (EDUC 303).
All courses are taught by former public school teachers, specialists, and administrators. Instructors regularly present at and attend state, national, and international conferences. Faculty stay relevant by researching in local schools and publishing their work in scholarly journals and practitioner magazines.
The campus courses are balanced by strategic field experiences. This program provides students with an extensive amount of time in the classroom with real children and adolescents. Students spend a significant amount of time in PreK-Grade 8 classrooms every semester upon entry to the major. Campus classes are scheduled two or three days per week, and one to three days per week are spent in a local field placement, as arranged by the department each semester.
For course descriptions and requirements, see the University Bulletin