Elementary Education (B.A.)

Foundation Courses

• EDU 140 - Exploring Critical Skills for the Professional Educator Credit Hours: 3 §
• EDU 140L - Professional Skills Lab Credit Hours: 0 §
• EDU 202 - Issues and Trends in Education Credit Hours: 2 §*
• EDU 230 - Educational Psychology Credit Hours: 3 (see General Education below) ^*
• EDU 271 - The Diverse Learner Credit Hours: 4 §*
• EDU 360 - Integrating Technology in Teaching Credit Hours: 2 (online) ^*
• EDU 429 - Effective Classroom Management, Assessment, and Instruction Credit Hours: 3 ^*
• EDU 433 - Applied Core Teaching Practices Across the Curriculum (PK-6) Credit Hours: 4 §*
• EDU 430E - Seminar in Teaching-Elementary Credit Hours: 3 §*
• EDU 450E - Directed Teaching - Elementary Credit Hours: 6 ^*

Mathematics Courses

• EDU 366 - Multiple Modes of Representation in Elementary Mathematics Credit Hours: 4 ^*
• MAT 330 - Foundations of School Math I Credit Hours: 3 (see General Education below) ^*π
• MAT 331 - Foundations of School Math II Credit Hours: 3 ^*

Science Courses

• BIO 100 - Principles of Biology Credit Hours: 4 (see General Education) ^π
• NSC 200 - Elementary Science Survey/Science by Inquiry Credit Hours: 4 §

Social Studies Courses

• HIS 361 - Michigan History Credit Hours: 3 ^π
• SST 200 - Human Society: Learning in the Social Studies Credit Hours: 3 (see Gen. Ed. below) §π

Language Arts/Literacy Courses

• ECE 340 - Emergent and Beginning Literacy Credit Hours: 3 ^*
• EDU 376 - Children’s Literature Credit Hours: 3 ^*
• EDU 424 - Elementary and Middle School Reading Problems Credit Hours: 3 ^*
• ENG 112 - World Literature Credit Hours: 3 (see General Education below) ^*
• RDG 428 - Teaching Writing for PK-6 Teachers Credit Hours: 3 ^*

Choose one concentration from the following.

Elementary Education Major Credit Hours 85-95

General Education

B.A. in Elementary Education Total Credit Hours 120-130

Symbol Key

‡ Grade of “B” or better required.
§ Grade of “B-” or better required.
^ Grade of “C” or better required.
* This course has a prerequisite.
# Possible alternative course or exam option to fulfill this requirement.
π A major course that meets General Education requirements.
+ Possible waiver with a specified number of transfer credits upon first-time admission.

Elementary Education Learning Outcomes

Students will articulate their understanding of child development from preschool through grade 6 and examine social issues affecting children. Students will develop curriculum aligned to the academic standards for primary grades (PK-3) and intermediate grades (3-6) and demonstrate proficiency using Michigan’s Core Teaching Practices (CTPs). This comprehensive major prepares students to teach and work with children in PK through grade 3 or PK through grade 6 settings in schools in Michigan.

Certification Eligibility

Students completing this program will be eligible to earn certification in lower elementary (PK-3) education MDE endorsement (ZO) and/or upper elementary (3-6) MDE endorsement (ZP).

Program Curriculum

This program provides extensive preparation in both pedagogy and Michigan PK-3 and 3-6 academic standards. Courses are presented from a Christian liberal arts perspective and offer practical experiences that provide significant learning opportunities within partner school districts. The curriculum also provides a unique balance between core education courses, specific elementary education pedagogy, content area coursework, and authentic clinical experiences.

Teacher Education Information

More information can be found in the Teacher Preparation Program  section of this catalog.

Speech General Education Requirement Option

Students who successfully complete the interpersonal and presentation portions of EDU 140L  upon the recommendation of the School of Education faculty will fulfill the speech requirement for General Education. No credit hours will be earned for fulfillment of this requirement through EDU 140L .

Program Oversight

The elementary education major is overseen by the School of Education. Courses with numbers ECE, EDU, RDG, SED, and TSL are administered by the School of Education. Questions about this major should be directed to the program director.