Elementary Education

Back to TopAdmissions Process

Students must be formally accepted into the School of Education prior to enrolling in most upper-division teacher education courses. Applications for admission into the School of Education and for admission to clinical practice are filed in the School of Education Office on or before October 1 or February 1 of each academic year.

Application for admission into the School of Education is completed no sooner than the second semester of the sophomore year. The application process includes:

• Passing scores on the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators (CASE) test series;
• Demonstration of teacher dispositions and written and oral competence;
• Reference screening; and
• Completion of a State Police background check.

The applicant must also achieve and maintain a 2.75 cumulative grade point average and have successfully completed two of the following three professional courses from among the common courses* required for every teacher education major: Edu 204, Edu 255, Psy 300. Note: Students transferring a course equivalent to Edu 204 must also take Edu 108 prior to admission to the School of Education.

Application for clinical practice (student teaching) is completed the semester prior to the clinical practice experience. The deadline to apply is October 1 or February 1 Prerequisites include:

• Completion of required course work;
• Submission of a professional portfolio;
• Recommendation of faculty in area of certification and completion of PRAXIS specialty and PLT exams;

Back to TopCourses

Edu 204: Introduction to Education

Examines the historical, philosophical, and social foundations of education; focus upon the organization, curriculum, and administration of the American school system; review of current educational research. Includes a required field component. May not be taken as directed study. 

Edu 246: Technology Application and Integration in Education

Introduction to current educational technology hardware, software, and research-based practices that seek to have a positive impact on teaching and learning in diverse settings and with diverse populations. Specific emphasis will focus on awareness of best-practice technology integration techniques into the design, execution, and assessment of learning. Candidates will practice using 21st-century technology equipment to leverage necessary skills as a future education professional. Field Experience required. 

Edu 255: Teaching Diverse Populations of Children and Youth

Introduction to issues regarding elements of diversity in P–12 children and youth that affect educational performance and outcomes. Elements of diversity examined include: gender, race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, language, exceptionalities, religion, and geographical area. Current issues include: legal requirements at state and federal levels, definitions, characteristics, educational needs of identified and at-risk students, appropriate adaptations/accommodations/modifications for school environments and for instructional design/implementation/assessment and ethical professional practice. Field experience required. 

Edu 258: School Health & Physical Education (P-5)

Required for Elementary Education majors, this course provides a basic background for understanding how the body functions, health-related problems, personal hygiene, good health practices, nutrition, environmental issues, safety measures in the community, designed to enable a better understanding of motor and social development states of P-5 students, and the roles and responsibilities of a teacher as advocates to facilitate the acquisition of the skills necessary to conduct programs appropriate to the needs and abilities of children. 15 field hours Required

Psy 300: Developmental Psychology

A study of human growth and development from conception to death. The course deals with physical, social, emotional, intellectual, moral, and personality development at all age levels, and the respective theories; the effects of heredity and environment on the developmental process. 

Edu 301: Growth, Development, and Learning Theory

This course provides an in-depth study of human growth and development with respect to physical, social, cognitive, gender, emotional, and personality issues, in conjunction with consideration of theories of learning and teaching that apply to student development. Field experience required. 

Edu 303: Teaching Strategies

This course is an investigation of the skills of teaching which are applicable at any grade level. Emphasis is placed on the application of teaching strategies in the classroom setting. This course will include curriculum concepts and professional evaluations. Field is required. 

Edu 314: Children’s Literature

Provides a general overview of the literature appropriate for elementary grades and beyond; acquaints candidates with books and their uses in the literature-based approach to teaching. Field Experience required. 

Edu 319: Social Studies in Elementary Grades

Prepares teachers at the elementary level to organize and teach social studies concepts, providing them with appropriate content, methodology, and activities for reinforcing those concepts. Field experience required. 

Edu 320: Science for Elementary Grades

This course is designed to assist the teacher of the elementary grades in presenting science concepts in an interesting and challenging way so as to help the candidate acquire and maintain a high level of curiosity about science and to enjoy the information acquired. It will provide models of inquiry and a methodology for teaching the science curriculum. Field experience required. 

Edu 321: Teaching Reading in the Elementary Schools

This course is designed for elementary school teachers to survey reading research, develop a meaningful repertoire of teaching strategies, and integrate reading skills and materials across the elementary school curriculum. Field placement required. 

Edu 323: Math Methods for Elementary Grades

This course prepares teachers to assist children in acquiring an understanding of mathematical concepts and principles and the operations to which they apply; upon achieving this understanding, children will learn the skills they need to use mathematics effectively in a wide variety of situations. Field experience required. 

Edu 325: Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School

This course is designed for elementary school teachers. The purposes of this course are to survey the language arts research, examine and evaluate approaches to teaching language arts, and develop teaching strategies and skills that will integrate language arts in the elementary school curriculum. Field placement required. 

Edu 406: Classroom Management

This course acquaints the candidate with management techniques and theory, effective classroom environments, discipline techniques, effective classroom behaviors, conferencing, observation and report writing skills. Fifteen field hours required. 

Edu 415: Practicum – Elementary

Supervised teaching experience during the semester immediately preceding clinical practice. Focuses on the assessment, design, and implementation of systemic instruction and collaboration for Elementary grades. Required 50 field hours and meetings with instructor.

Edu 434: Clinical Practice: Elementary (P–5)

Observation, participation, and teaching experiences for minimum of fourteen (14) weeks in approved public or private school; minimum of seven (7) weeks in a primary P–2 placement and a minimum of seven (7) weeks in an intermediate grade 3–5 placement. Includes development of professional portfolio. 

Back to TopFaculty

Rena Fulkerson
Assistant Professor of Education

Ashley Holland
Assistant Professor of Education - Chair of School of Education

Sr. Betsy Moyer
Curriculum Resource Center, Field Experience Coordinator and Office Manager

Malcolm Webb
Assistant Professor of Education

Curriculum Resource Center
School of Education

Additional Resources

• School of Education Handbook
• Clinical Practice Handbook
• Field Handbook