Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education is a hands-on degree that prepares students for high-demand teaching careers in Alaska and across the country. This degree program is designed to provide students with numerous fieldwork experiences, including a year-long internship, which complement coursework in a wide range of content areas.

Program Overview

The integrated major/minor degree requirements are designed to prepare students to meet standards that recognize, respect, and build upon Alaska's cultural, linguistic, and geographic factors. Completion of the B.A. in elementary education will meet the requirements for both a major and minor. Students in the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree program are assessed relative to national standards, including the Council for Accreditation Educator Preparation (CAEP) Standards and the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Standards.

Program Structure

The degree has four central components:

• Subject area coursework in the designated UAF general education requirements
• Additional subject area coursework in those areas important for successful teaching at an elementary level
• An integrated set of education courses and fieldwork in schools and the community to provide the foundation for a successful professional internship year
• A year-long capstone school internship with a mentor teacher, with concurrent enrollment in professional coursework that focuses on the integration and application of theory, research, and practice in real school environments

Program Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Elementary Education Bachelor's Degree: 122 credits. Students follow the calendar of the school or district in which they complete their internship.

Career Opportunities and Licensure

Each state has its own unique requirements for licensure or certification. If seeking a professional license or certificate in a state other than Alaska, please note that individual state requirements may vary.

Program Benefits

Students completing this degree benefit from collaborative efforts with academic departments across campus and from School of Education partnerships with a wide range of Alaska's rural and urban schools and districts. The interdisciplinary degree requirements provide breadth in the content areas necessary for successful teaching at an elementary level, as well as depth in the opportunities to connect theory and practice in real classroom, school, and community contexts. Coursework can be completed remotely or with a combination of modalities, including face-to-face classes in Anchorage and Fairbanks.