Program Overview

Program Details | Elementary Education Bachelor's

The elementary education major is flexible, with most students completing the program in two years. However, students can choose to complete the first half of the coursework at their own pace before beginning the student teaching year.

Program Structure

The program is designed to accommodate students who work during K-12 school hours, with most courses offered evenings and weekends. Classes meet synchronously via zoom most weeks, with face-to-face sessions to build community and engage in hands-on learning three times per term, in addition to a daytime practicum in the first or second year.

Flexibility

The program offers two models:

• Two-Year Model:
  • Year One: 12-14 credits per term, including daytime practicum hours in winter and spring terms
  • Year Two: Student teaching year, with a gradual increase in time spent in the elementary classroom and a gradual decrease in PSU coursework
• Three-Year Model:
  • Year One: 5-7 credits per term
  • Year Two: 5-7 credits per term, with a daytime practicum in either year one or two
  • Year Three: Student teaching year, with a gradual increase in time spent in the elementary classroom and a gradual decrease in PSU coursework

Program of Study

Courses to Complete Before the Student Teaching Year (50 credits)

• ITP 456 Identity and Social Emotional Learning (3 credits)
• ITP 357U Culture, Law, and Politics (4 credits)
• ITP 360U Social Studies Methods: Teacher as Activist (4 credits)
• ITP 470 Curriculum Design (3 credits)
• ITP 409 Elementary Practicum (2 credits divided across 2 terms; 30 hours per term)
• ITP 463 Literacy Methods 1: Reading and Spelling Words (4 credits)
• ITP 465 Equity-Centered Mathematics Methods 1 for Elementary Educators (3 credits)
• ITP 361U Methods for Teaching Science, Health, and Environmental Justice (4 credits)
• ITP 458 Using Technology in the Elementary Classroom (3 credits)
• ITP 464 Literacy Methods 2: Meaning Making, Identity Building, and Criticality (5 credits)
• ITP 466 Equity-Centered Mathematics Methods 2 for Elementary Educators (4 credits)
• ITP 459 Inclusive Practices (2 credits)
• ITP 462 Arts, Music, and Movement Methods (3 credits)
• ITP 473 Community Engagement and Collaboration (3 credits)
• ITP 474 Classroom Community and Routines (3 credits)

Student Teaching Year Courses (40 credits)

Once the above courses are completed, students can begin their student teaching year, which includes:

• ITP 482 Student Teaching Seminar 1 (2 credits)
• ITP 492 Student Teaching 1 (1 credit)
• ITP 467 ESOL Bridges in Elementary Classrooms (3 credits)
• ITP 471 Assessment (3 credits)
• ITP 483 Student Teaching Seminar 2 (3 credits)
• ITP 493 Student Teaching 2 (2 days/week) (3 credits)
• ITP 409 ESOL Practicum (90 hours) (3 credits)
• ITP 472 Teacher Performance Assessment (4 credits)
• ITP 484 Student Teaching Seminar 3 Equity in Classroom Teaching (2 credits)
• ITP 494 Student Teaching 3 (2.5 days/week) (4 credits)
• ITP 485 Student Teaching Seminar 4 (3 credits)
• ITP 495 Student Teaching 4 (full time, 5 days/week) (9 credits)

Field Experiences

An important part of learning to teach takes place in schools and classrooms throughout the Portland metropolitan area. During the first half of the program, students will engage in two practicum experiences (60 hours in elementary classrooms). In the final year of the program, students complete a sequence of student teaching experiences:

• Student Teaching 1: full-time for teacher in-service week and the first week of school; two days per week thereafter (AugustSeptember)
• Student Teaching 2: two days per week (fall term)
• Student Teaching 3: half-time students teaching AND 90-hour ESOL practicum (winter term)
• Student Teaching 4: full-time student teaching (spring term)

Licensure Tests

Passing test scores are due before starting student teaching:

• Elementary Education Subtest I
• Elementary Education Subtest II
• English to Speakers of Other Languages

Program Completion

Once the program is completed, students will need to apply for both their teaching license (with endorsements in multiple subjects [elementary education] and ESOL) and the appropriate degree (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science).