Program Overview

Elementary Education - Bachelor of Science Degree Map

The Elementary Education - Bachelor of Science degree map outlines the requirements for completing a degree in four years. To graduate in four years, students need to average 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits.

Requirements

• General Education Requirements
• Degree Requirements
• Major Requirements
• University Writing Requirements
• Race and Ethnic Studies Requirements
• Credit Requirements and Limits

Degree Maps and Advising

Degree maps show one possible course plan for earning a degree in four years. Students should talk with their advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for them, especially if they have any earned transferrable academic credit.

Bulletin or Catalog Year

The Bulletin or Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements students need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit students to follow a different catalog. Typically, the catalog year is the year the student began at PSU, but transfer students may be able to use an earlier catalog.

DARS System

Students are highly encouraged to run their own Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report to track their progress through their program. DARS audits are advising tools and are not an official record of earning a degree, major, minor, or certificate.

Course Plans by Year

First Year

• Fall Courses: First Year Inquiry, MTH 211, General Elective
• Winter Courses: First Year Inquiry, MTH 212, General Elective
• Spring Courses: First Year Inquiry, MTH 213, PSY 201Z or 202Z, General Elective
• Total Credits: 13 (Fall), 14 (Winter), 17 (Spring)
• First Year Milestone: Complete MTH 211-213
• Note: All First and Second Year classes must be completed to be eligible to start the Elementary Education major in the junior year.

Second Year

• Fall Courses: Sophomore Inquiry, BS Science with Lab, PSY 311U, General Elective
• Winter Courses: Sophomore Inquiry, BS Science with Lab, CI 169, CI 116
• Spring Courses: Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement, BS Science, Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement, General Elective
• Total Credits: 15-16 (Fall), 12-14 (Winter), 14-16 (Spring)
• Second Year Milestones: Apply for Fall Admission to Elementary Education major (by end of Winter)
• Note: All First and Second Year classes must be completed to be eligible to start the Elementary Education major in the junior year.

Third Year

• Fall Courses: ITP 357U (Cluster), ITP 360U (Cluster), ITP 456, ITP 470
• Winter Courses: ITP 361U (Cluster), ITP 409 Elementary Practicum, ITP 463, ITP 465
• Spring Courses: ITP 409 Elementary Practicum, ITP 458, ITP 464, ITP 466
• Summer Courses: ITP 459, ITP 462, ITP 473, ITP 474, ITP 482, ITP 492
• Total Credits: 14 (Fall), 12 (Winter), 13 (Spring), 14 (Summer)
• Third Year Milestone/Note: All Third Year classes are offered once a year and must be successfully completed to start Student Teaching in the Final Year.

Fourth Year

• Fall Courses: ITP 467, ITP 471, ITP 483, ITP 493
• Winter Courses: ITP 409 ESOL Practicum, ITP 472, ITP 484, ITP 494
• Spring Courses: ITP 485, ITP 495
• Total Credits: 12 (Fall), 13 (Winter), 12 (Spring)

Additional Map Notes

• PSY 201Z or 202Z: Recommended prerequisite courses for PSY 311U, but not explicitly required for the major.
• Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits, focusing on the U.S. experience and the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States.
• ITP 357U (Cluster), ITP 360U (Cluster), and ITP 361U (Cluster): Approved Junior Cluster courses that may count as meeting both major requirements and general education Junior Cluster requirements.
• Students may need to add additional general elective credits to their plan to reach 180 total credits.