| Department: | Teacher Education / College of Education and Human Performance |
| Hours Required: | 120 |
| Categories: | Major, Undergraduate |
| Delivery: | Hybrid, On-Campus, Online |
The focus in elementary education leads to a single licensure certification in early childhood. The course work included in the Early Childhood Program presents core knowledge of the profession, combining pedagogical and theoretical content with observational assessment. Students demonstrate a basic understanding of the early childhood profession and child development, incorporating that knowledge and understanding in various clinical experiences. Evidence and implementation of developmentally appropriate practices are included in all areas of the students’ learning. The program emphasizes the uniqueness of each child, recognizing that children are best understood in the context of family, culture, society, and environment.
Learning Goals
- Our graduates demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively through various mediums.
- Our graduates demonstrate an understanding of the various cultures and backgrounds of students in the classroom.
- Our graduates can think critically, solve problems, and make informed decisions.
- Our graduates utilize instructional technology effectively.
- Our graduates display mastery of content knowledge, pedagogy, and professional skills.
University Requirement – 2 hours
GSTD 1002 Freshman Seminar
General Education – 35 hours
Professional Requirements – 33 hours
E ED 2003 Child Growth and Development
E ED 3213 Integrated Curriculum and Methods
E ED 3233 Classroom and Group Management
EDUC 2000 Educational Field Experience Level I Lab
EDUC 2003 Introduction to Education
EDUC 2023 K-12 Education Technology
EDUC 3013 Educational Psychology
HIST 4083 History of Arkansas
MATH 2053 Math for Teachers I
MATH 2063 Math for Teachers II
SPCH 1113 Introduction to Public Speaking
SPED 4073 Survey of Exceptional Individuals
Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required to enroll in the following
courses.
Elementary Education Focus – 38 hours
E ED 3073 Methods of Teaching Mathematics
E ED 3273 Methods of Teaching Social Studies
E ED 4173 Teaching Literacy I
E ED 4023 Lower Grades Field Experience
E ED 4243 STEM for Elementary Teachers
E ED 4273 Teaching Literacy II
E ED 4303 Upper Grades Field Experience
E ED 4323 Families, School and Communities
E ED 4343/4001 STEM Science for Teachers/Lab
E ED 4353 Social Studies in the Elementary School
E ED 4374 Advanced Teaching Literacy
EDUC 4043 Assessment, Evaluation, and Measurement
Student Teaching** – 12 hours
E ED 4006 Student Teaching in the Elementary School I
E ED 4103 Student Teaching in the Elementary School II
EDUC 4003 Student Teaching Seminar
**Students must take all Praxis II exams prior to student teaching
during the spring semester and by March 15 prior to student teaching during the fall semester.
Precandidates are required to submit passing scores for Basic Skills in order to apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program. Admission to the Teacher
Education Program is required to enroll in elementary education focus courses.
Option 1: Attend classes face-to-face on campus. Students take classes on campus in person. Students have the opportunity to work with other elementary education majors in and out of classes, and are provided many additional classroom experiences. Students benefit from multiple field experiences and spend their final semester as a student teacher in a K-6 classroom.
Option 2: Attend classes online. Students attend classes online. This option allows students to work towards their degree in elementary education while still working full time. Students participate in our online program all over the state without having to relocate to attend. Students completing the online program have the opportunity to work with other online elementary education students. Students in the online program complete field experiences and student teaching at schools within driving distance of where the student lives.
Option 3: Paraprofessionals: Complete our online option while continuing to work as a paraprofessional in a school. Students take online coursework but are able to complete field experiences within their school/district. During the student teaching semester, the student teaching experience is split between duties as a paraprofessional and working as a student teacher in the classroom. The student teaching portion must be in a traditional K-6 classroom, and the participating school must be accredited. This option allows paraprofessionals to continue working in their position while also completing their student teaching requirement. **This option requires permission from the school administration to complete this pathway.
Option 4: Non-Licensure Elementary Education Degree with MAT Licensure certificate. Students attend classes online and complete field experiences at schools within driving distance of where the student lives. The final semester, the student takes 12 hours of coursework in place of student teaching. The student will graduate with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, but will not yet have their teaching license. The student then completes a 1 year Masters of Arts in Teaching Certificate program completing 6 hours of graduate coursework each semester. The student is able to be hired as a full time paid teacher during the certificate program. At the end of the 1 year certificate program, the student has 12 hours of graduate coursework and is eligible for their K-6 license. This option allows students to become a licensed teacher without taking a semester off of work to student teach. ***This option requires passing Praxis II scores and GPA requirements prior to admission into the MAT program.
Program Contact: Dr. Jennifer Louden, EdD
