Elementary Education

Overview

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.  

Candidates completing a degree in Elementary Education may be recommended for an initial license with the K-6 Teacher Elementary Classroom endorsement as well as the K-8 Reading endorsement. Additionally, candidates are required to pursue a minimum of two endorsements from the list below:

K-12 Coaching
K-8 English/Language Arts
K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL)
K-8 Health
K-8 Mathematics
- 5-8 Algebra for HS Credit (option with 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 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.

Explore More

For more information on the undergraduate major in Elementary Education, please visit the following:

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: School of Education Advising Office
Email: edprep@iastate.edu
Location: 1620 Lagomarcino Hall
Phone Number: (515) 296-8837

College Website

Department Website

https://education.iastate.edu/

Program Administration

Owning Academic Unit/College: College of Health and Human Sciences
Coordinating Academic Unit/Department: School of Education

Credential Opportunities

Program Duration: 4 years
Credential(s) Offered: Elementary Education, B.S. (121 credits)
Available as an Additional Major: No, Elementary Education, B.S. is not offered as an additional major; it is only offered as a full degree program.
Program Limitations: There are no additional program limitations beyond the rules regarding degree planning.
Program Designation: On-Campus Program

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.

Decision Point 1 -Admission to the Educator Preparation Program (https://iastate.box.com/s/f2xplqjfa805a9imk8wyr7dem9vjabz4 )
Decision Point 1 - Early Admission to the Educator Preparation Program for Transfer Students https://iastate.box.com/s/saysyv1to63q0bzwvtwzwtsqp3s5kxl2

As outlined in Decision Point policies,

Candidates must have a minimum grade requirement of C for all Education (EDUC), Human Development and
Family Studies (HDFS), Special Education (SPED) courses, and all other program-specific pedagogy coursework
required for licensure.

Candidate must earn a minimum grade of C- for courses in the department of the major specifically required for
teacher licensure (content coursework).

Degree Requirements

121 total credits minimum required

Communications and Library: 10 credits

ENGL 1500	Critical Thinking and Communication ^**	3
ENGL 2500	Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition ^**	3
LIB 1600	Introduction to College Level Research	1
Communication course from approved Elementary Education list ^*		3
Total Credits		10

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

Social Sciences: 9 credits

PSYCH 2300	Developmental Psychology ^*	3
Social Sciences course from approved Elementary Education list ^*		3
Social Sciences course from approved Elementary Education list ^*		3
Total Credits		9

*Must receive a "C-" or above

Humanities: 6 credits

HIST 2210	Survey 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: 6 credits

MATH 1950	Mathematics for Elementary Education I ^*	3
MATH 1960	Mathematics for Elementary Education II ^*	3
Total Credits		6

*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 Credits		9

*Must receive a "C-" or above

Orientation and Initial Field Experience: 2 credits

EDUC 2160	Learning Community Orientation to Teacher Education	1
or EDUC 3150	Transfer Orientation
EDUC 2800N	Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Elementary Education	1
or EDUC 2800T	Pre-Student Teaching Experience I: Tutoring
Total Credits		2

Foundations: 17 credits

EDUC 2010	Educational Technologies in the PK-6 Classroom ^**	3
EDUC 2050	Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Early Childhood and Elementary Education ^**	3
SPED 2500	Education of the Exceptional Learner ^**	3
EDUC 3320	Educational Psychology of Early Childhood and Elementary Education ^**	3
EDUC 3774	Foundations of Literacy Development ^**	3
EDUC 2600	Effective Lesson Planning ^**	2
Total Credits		17

**Must receive a "C" or above

Cyclone Block I: 6 Credits

EDUC 3100	Educational Assessment ^**	3
EDUC 3775	Structured Literacy and Linguistics for Elementary Education ^**	3
Total Credits		6

**Must receive a "C" or above

Power Block: 7 credits

EDUC 3500	Creating a Positive Classroom Environment ^**	3
EDUC 2680	Focused Observation in Classroom Management ^**	1
EDUC 4590	Comprehensive Children's Literature Instruction ^**	3
Total Credits		7

**Must receive a "C" or above

Cardinal Block: 15 credits

EDUC 3776	Foundations of Literacy Instruction ^**	3
EDUC 4680A	Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Elementary (K-6), Reading and Language Arts ^**	2
EDUC 4430	The Teaching of Social Studies ^**	3
EDUC 3550X	Teaching Multilingual Learners ^**	3
EDUC 4520	Assessment for Literacy and Learning ^**	3
EDUC 4880	Supervised Tutoring in Reading ^**	1
Total Credits		15

**Must receive a "C" or above

Gold Block: 14 Credits

EDUC 4480	Teaching Children Mathematics ^**	3
EDUC 4680C	Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Elementary (K-6), Mathematics ^**	2
EDUC 4490	The Teaching of Science ^**	3
EDUC 4050	Teaching and Learning in a Pluralistic Society: Early Childhood and Elementary ^**	3
KIN 2840	Elementary and Pre-school Movement Education ^**	3
or HS 2750	Health Education in the Elementary School
Total Credits		14

**Must receive a "C" or above

Related Methods: 4 Credits

MUSIC 2650	Music in Elementary Education ^**	2
ARTED 2090	Methods of Teaching in and Through Art ^**	2
Total Credits		4

**Must receive a "C" or above

Before student teaching, candidates must have completed all Decision Point 2 requirements. Access the policy: https://iastate.app.box.com/file/635713551116?s=rl301lpd66te2lq53gzsebgza3q9jn1c

Student Teaching: 16 Credits

EDUC 4160A	Supervised Student Teaching - Elementary K-6 ^**	8
EDUC 4160B	Supervised Student Teaching - Elementary K-6 ^**	8
Total Credits		16

**Must receive a "C" or above

Total Credits: 121 minimum credits (credits will vary depending on endorsement option)

U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives Requirements: Students in elementary education fulfill the U.S. Cultures and Communities 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

K-12 Coaching
K-8 English/Language Arts
K-12 English as a Second Language (ESL)
K-8 Health
K-8 Mathematics
- 5-8 Algebra for HS Credit (option with 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/.

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. Licensure rule changes may affect coursework requirements. Access the policy: Decision Point 3 - https://iastate.box.com/s/lxzqk584p9y4e4zgck631cwns111qjq0