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Elementary Education

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A degree in elementary education at Iowa State prepares you to teach all subjects at the elementary school level (grades K-6). Program completers can be recommended for licensure to the Iowa Board of Education Examiners.  

In addition to pursuing a degree in Elementary Education, candidates are required to pursue an endorsement in at least one additional area. Candidates will be prepared to teach students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade in this area of specialization. Endorsements in the following areas are available for elementary education majors:

  • K-8 English/Language Arts & Reading
  • K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • K-8 Health
  • K-8 Mathematics
  • K-8 Science
  • K-8 Social studies
  • K-8 Special education (Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate Disabilities K-8)

In addition, candidates can choose to pursue endorsements in K-8 Reading, K-12 Coaching, and 5-8 Algebra for HS Credit.

Additional information about endorsements can be found at: https://www.education.iastate.edu/find-majors/elementary-education/.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation, students should be able to:

The Learner and Learning

Standard #1: Learner Development.

Understand how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas, and designs and implements developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences.

Standard #2: Learning Differences.

Use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities to ensure inclusive learning environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.

Standard #3: Learning Environments.

Work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

Content

Standard #4: Content Knowledge.

Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content.

Standard #5: Application of Content.

Understand how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.

Instructional Practices

Standard #6: Assessment.

Understand and use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making.

Standard #7: Planning for Instruction.

Plan instruction that supports every student in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.

Standard #8: Instructional Strategies.
Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections, and to build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.

Standard #8A: Technology.

Integrate current and emerging technology in instruction to encourage student creativity, problem solving, collaboration, and digital literacy.  Teachers practice and advocate safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology.

Professional Responsibility

Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice.

Engage in ongoing professional learning and uses evidence to continually evaluate his/her practice, particularly the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapts practice to meet the needs of each learner.

Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration.

Seek appropriate leadership roles and opportunities to take responsibility for student learning, to collaborate with learners, families, colleagues, other school professionals, and community members to ensure learner growth, and to advance the profession.

Curriculum in Elementary Education

Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements

In addition to being admitted to Iowa State University and departmental programs/majors, educator preparation candidates must be admitted to the Educator Preparation Program prior to beginning advanced coursework.

Educator Preparation Program Admission Requirements are provided in Educator Preparation Policy.

Degree Requirements

120 total credits minimum required

Communications and Library: 10 credits

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication **3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition **3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
Communication course from approved Elementary Education list *3
Total Credits10

*Must receive a "C-" or above
**Must receive a "C" or above

Social Sciences: 9 credits

PSYCH or SOC Option from approved Elementary Education list *3
Social Sciences course from approved Elementary Education list *3
Social Sciences course from approved Elementary Education list *3
Total Credits9

*Must receive a "C-" or above

Humanities: 6 credits

HIST 2210Survey of United States History I *3
or HIST 2220 Survey of United States History II
Humanities courses from approved Elementary Education list *3

*Must receive a "C-" or above

Mathematics: 9 credits

MATH 1950Mathematics for Elementary Education I *3
MATH 1960Mathematics for Elementary Education II *3
Math Option from approved Elementary Education list *3
Total Credits9

*Must receive a "C-" or above

Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Earth/Space Sciences: 9 credits

Biological Sciences course from approved Elementary Education list *3
Physical Sciences course from approved Elementary Education list *3
Earth/Space Sciences course from approved Elementary Education list *3
Total Credits9

*Must receive a "C-" or above

Orientation and Initial Field Experience: 2 credits

EDUC 2160Learning Community Orientation to Teacher Education1
or EDUC 3150 Transfer Orientation
EDUC 2800NPre-Student Teaching Experience I: Elementary Education1
or EDUC 2800T Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Tutoring
Total Credits2

 Professional Education Core: 21 credits

EDUC 2010Educational Technologies in the PK-6 Classroom **3
EDUC 2050Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Early Childhood and Elementary Education **3
SPED 2500Education of the Exceptional Learner **3
EDUC 2450Landscape of Teaching **3
HDFS 1020Human Development **3
or PSYCH 2300 Developmental Psychology
EDUC 3320Educational Psychology of Early Childhood and Elementary Education **3
HDFS 2400Literature for Children **3
Total Credits21

 **Must receive a "C" or above

Block I: Literacy and Mathematics Methods and Social Justice Education: 12 Credits

EDUC 3770Teaching Literacy in the Primary Grades **4
EDUC 4050Social Justice Education and Teaching: Early Childhood and Elementary **3
EDUC 4480Teaching Children Mathematics **3
EDUC 4680APre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades, Reading and Language Arts1
EDUC 4680CPre-Student Teaching Experience III: Primary Grades, Mathematics1
Total Credits12

 **Must receive a "C" or above

Block II: Literacy, Science, and Social Studies Methods: 12 credits

EDUC 3780Teaching Literacy in the Intermediate Grades **4
EDUC 4430The Teaching of Social Studies **3
EDUC 4490The Teaching of Science **3
EDUC 4680BPre-Student Teaching Experience III: Intermediate Grades, Reading and Language Arts1
EDUC 4680DPre-Student Teaching Experience III: Intermediate Grades, Science1
Total Credits12

 **Must receive a "C" or above

Related Methods: 7 credits

KIN 2840Elementary and Pre-school Movement Education **3
or HS 2750 Health Education in the Elementary School
MUSIC 2650Music in Elementary Education **2
ARTED 2090Methods of Teaching in and Through Art **2
Total Credits7

**Must receive a "C" or above

Primary Endorsement Area: Credits Vary

Minimum grade of a “C” required for all EDUC, HDFS, and SPED courses and all content-specific pedagogy/methods courses. Minimum grade of "C-" required for all other courses in endorsement areas. 

Primary Endorsement Options:

  • K-8 English/Language Arts & Reading
  • K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • K-8 Health
  • K-8 Mathematics
  • K-8 Science
  • K-8 Social studies
  • K-8 Special education (Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Moderate Disabilities K-8). 

Additional information about endorsements can be found at https://www.education.iastate.edu/find-majors/elementary-education/

Student Teaching: 16 credits

EDUC 4160ASupervised Student Teaching - Elementary: Primary grades (K-3) **8
EDUC 4160BSupervised Student Teaching - Elementary: Intermediate grades (3-6) **8
Total Credits16

**Must receive a "C" or above

Total Credits: 122 minimum credits (credits will vary depending on endorsement option)

U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) and International Perspectives Requirements: Students in elementary education fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity) and International Perspectives requirements by choosing three credits of coursework from university-approved Humanities or Social Sciences courses included on the Elementary Education approved options sheet.

Additional Endorsement

Candidates can pursue any of the primary endorsement areas listed above and in the following areas:

  • K-8 Reading
  • K-12 Coaching
  • 5-8 Algebra for HS Credit

Information about these endorsements can be found at: https://iastate.app.box.com/s/m4tr3ogr9ouwmiubz5dhv9catryr2jqf.
Contact an Elementary Education academic advisor for additional information.

Educator Preparation Program Completion Requirements:

In order to be recommended for licensure, candidates must have completed all degree program requirements and be considered an Educator Preparation Program Completer. Access the policy: Decision Point 3 - Recommendation for Licensure

Elementary Education, B.S.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
EDUC 20503EDUC 2800N1
EDUC 21601SPED 25003
PSYCH 2300 or HDFS 10203MATH 19503
ENGL 15003HIST 2210 or 22203
LIB 16001Science Option 13
Social Science Option3PSYCH or SOC Option3
 14 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
EDUC 20103EDUC 24503
HDFS 24003EDUC 33203
ENGL 25003Biological Science Option 33
MATH 19603Math Option3
Science Option 23Endorsement Area3
Apply/Accepted to Educator Preparation Program  
 15 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Block I Block II 
EDUC 37704EDUC 37804
EDUC 40503EDUC 44303
EDUC 44803EDUC 44903
EDUC 4680A1EDUC 4680B1
EDUC 4680C1EDUC 4680D1
Social Science Option3Endorsement Area3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARTED 20902Student Teaching: 
KIN 2840 or HS 27503EDUC 4160A8
MUSIC 26502EDUC 4160B8
Communications Option3 
Humanities Option/Endorsement Area6 
Apply for Graduation  
 16 16

Total Credits: 122 and above

It is our expectation that students know the requirements of their academic program and develop and follow an academic plan based on their academic catalog and degree audit using their individual academic advisor as a resource in this process.