Elementary Education (BA)
The Elementary Education major embodies the University’s values of a comprehensive liberal arts education. Completing the requirements for the major will provide prospective elementary education teachers the breadth of subject mastery that is expected both for effective teaching of diverse students in a collaborative setting and for meeting requirements set by the Virginia Department of Education. This major provides the best opportunity to prepare highly qualified classroom teachers within the four years of the undergraduate degree program. Requirements include content and professional studies coursework for licensure. Therefore, students seeking licensure are required to meet Education program admission requirements, CAEP accreditation candidacy requirements, and successfully complete student teaching in order to qualify for a Virginia Teaching License and graduation.
Requirements for the Major
Complete all coursework and assessments successfully. Assessments will include a quantitative assessment, reading/writing assessment (VCLA), Praxis II Elementary Multiple Subjects, and the Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary. Students will also need to successfully complete the following modules: Professional Qualities and Dispositional Traits, Child Abuse Recognition Training, Civics Education, Dyslexia Awareness Training, Professional Ethics, Use of Restraint and Seclusion in Elementary and Secondary Schools in Virginia. Two VDOE requirements will be satisfied by completion of coursework: Cultural Competency in ED 342, and two Special Education modules Meaningful IEP Meetings and Building an Inclusive School Community in a practicum. All will complete First Aid, CPR (hands-on), AED successfully. Students will also complete practicums associated with coursework and student teaching in their endorsement area.
Required Courses
English
Select two of the following:
Science
Select two lab sciences from two different disciplines from the following:
Mathematics
Select two of the following: one course must be MATH 159 College Algebra or higher
History
Select one of the following:
Additional Course Requirement
Research (R) Course credit (3 credit hours)