Elementary Education

Unique among undergraduate teacher education programs, this degree creates teacher-leaders with deep content knowledge in all elementary disciplines with a special emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics for a strong STEM-focused instruction.

Program Description

Graduates from our program are prepared to be leaders who have an unwavering commitment to serving children. Our rigorous STEM-based approach requires successful completion of at least 27 credit hours of courses focusing on STEM content, including:

• Calculus for Elementary Teachers
• Conceptual Physics for Elementary Teachers
• Design Thinking
• Biology, chemistry, and more
• Pedagogy courses include two methods courses each in mathematics, and science

Prospective teachers also graduate with a firm literacy foundation, taking at least two courses concentrating on reading and one on language arts, as well as engineering methods focused on children’s designs and inventions, along with courses in diversity, special education and social studies. Students learn arts integration and to incorporate STEM subjects with other curricula while planning lessons and units.

Beginning in the junior year, students are accepted into the program as a cohort. The program is specifically designed to encourage collaboration between students through coursework and classroom experiences.

• Internal transfer students must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.5.

​To continue in the program, students in Elementary Education must:

• Earn a B- or higher in ELM 250
• Earn a C or better in all Professional Education coursework
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Have a successful assessment of field experience each semester
• Have a successful assessment of dispositions in field and university settings