Elementary Education PK-6 (B.A. in Elementary Education)
The B.A in elementary education allows students to complete a baccalaureate degree in elementary education with a choice of specializations. Students who choose the licensure specialization will be licensed to teach grades PK-6. Students pursuing licensure in this manner complete all requirements necessary for Virginia licensure, including field experiences and student teaching, at the end of four years. Students who choose the non-licensure specialization will not be required to meet the Virginia teacher licensure requirements.
Admission Requirements: Students in this program must seek admission to the teacher licensure program and apply for student teaching. See the education section for admission requirements and procedures.
Degree Planning: Students in both the licensure and non-licensure specializations need to take courses as specified to ensure fulfillment of state licensure or degree requirements. Also, course rotations vary, and not every course is available each semester. Individual advising is important to ensure students meet all major and teaching licensure requirements.
Minimum Grade Requirements: A grade of a C or better is required in professional studies courses. Professional studies courses are those associated with teacher preparation. An overall 2.5 GPA is required.
Degree Requirements — Elementary Education PK-6 (B.A. in Elementary Education)
This degree requires 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Elementary education majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: All majors must take ED 480 Senior Seminar and EN 301 The Writing Process: Theory and Practice. Majors must take an additional WI course from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective. Majors must also complete the GP requirement from the Liberal Arts Core or as a university elective.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements. Some coursework fulfills teaching licensure requirements as specified by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Take all of the following:
| BIO 120 | Introduction to the Biological World * | 3 |
| BIO 120L | Introduction to the Biological World Lab | 1 |
| ED 200SL | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| ED 254 | Technology for the K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| ED 301 | Foundation of Literacy Development * | 3 |
| ED 329 | Collaborative Models for Special Education | 3 |
| ED 351 | Assessment to Support Learning in K-12 | 3 |
| ED 355 | Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners: PK-2 | 3 |
| ED 356 | Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners: Grades 3-6 | 3 |
| ED 357 | Teaching Social Studies and Visual Arts * | 3 |
| ED 358 | Teaching Mathematics and Science | 6 |
| ED 480 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
| GEO 201 | Introduction to Geography | 3 |
| HI 110 | History of the United States to 1877 * | 3 |
| HI 111 | History of the United States since 1877 * | 3 |
| HI 114 | Introduction to World History * | 3 |
| MA 121 | Math for Liberal Arts * | 3 |
| MA 124 | History of Mathematics * | 3 |
| MA 127 | Applied Geometry * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course * | 3 |
| POL 104 | American Government * | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
| PSY 341 | Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities * | 3 |
Licensure specialization: Add ED 452 and ED 460E (which must be taken at the same time).
Non-licensure specialization: Add ED 433 (1-6 credits) and an elective or electives with approval from an education advisor.
Sample Degree Plan — Elementary Education PK-6
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
Year One — Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| HI 114 | Introduction to World History * | 3 |
| MA 124 | History of Mathematics * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course * | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Human Growth and Development * | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| ED 200SL | Foundations of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| HI 111 | History of the United States since 1877 * | 3 |
| MA 127 | Applied Geometry * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
Year Two — Spring
| BIO 120 | Introduction to the Biological World * | 3 |
| BIO 120L | Introduction to the Biological World Lab | 1 |
| ED 301 | Foundation of Literacy Development * | 3 |
| GEO 201 | Introduction to Geography | 3 |
| HI 110 | History of the United States to 1877 * | 3 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course - TRS 201 or TRS 202 recommended * | |
Year Three — Fall
| ED 254 | Technology for the K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| ED 355 | Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners: PK-2 | 3 |
| EN 301 | The Writing Process: Theory and Practice * | 3 |
| PSY 341 | Psychology of Individuals with Exceptionalities * | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| ED 329 | Collaborative Models for Special Education | 3 |
| ED 356 | Literacy Instruction for Diverse Learners: Grades 3-6 | 3 |
| ED 358 | Teaching Mathematics and Science | 6 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) - EN 351 recommended * | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Fall
| ED 351 | Assessment to Support Learning in K-12 | 3 |
| ED 357 | Teaching Social Studies and Visual Arts * | 3 |
| ED 480 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Four — Spring (specialization - licensure)
| ED 452 | Managing the K-12 Classroom | 3 |
| ED 460E | Student Teaching: PK-6 * | 6 |
| | One (1) elective - GP course required if not already completed * | 3 |
Year Four — Spring (specialization - non-licensure)
The number of electives required for students in the non-licensure track varies with the number of credits for which they take ED-433. Students must take enough credits in electives to meet the university’s 120-credit requirement. Students must take a GP course if not already completed.
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.