B.A., Elementary Education (K-8)
Program Overview
B.A., Elementary Education (K-8)
The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree program is designed to prepare students to meet the standards that recognize, respect, and build upon Alaska's cultural, linguistic, and geographic factors. The program assesses students relative to national and state standards, including the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards, the Alaska Teacher Standards, the Alaska Student Content and Performance Standards, and the Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools.
Program Overview
The program provides students with the experience necessary to be eligible for an elementary teacher license. 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 education will meet the requirements for a major and minor.
Degree Requirements
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 capstone year-long 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.
Admission Requirements
Students must submit the following information to the School of Education by February 1:
- Copies of transcripts from all institutions attended.
- Evidence of plan of completion of all B.A. degree in elementary education degree courses by August 1st (except for those required in the Professional Internship Year), with a minimum of a 2.75 overall GPA, a 2.0 in each major academic area, and a C or better in all required courses.
- Official copies of ACT or SAT scores.
- Alaska Passing scores from the Praxis I or Praxis Core ASE exams in reading, writing, and math, and Praxis II exam (test 5014 or 5018).
- Two letters of reference that address qualifications and potential as a teacher.
- A current and complete resume/curriculum vitae.
- Two one-page essays on topics determined by the School of Education.
- Completed Elementary Teacher Education Academic Analysis and Life/Work Form to provide information on breadth and depth of prior coursework and/or documented life experiences relative to ten Alaska Student Content Standard areas.
- A one-to-two-page autobiographical sketch (appropriate for presenting to prospective principals and mentor teachers).
- Extemporaneous writing sample.
- Evidence of successful experiences in teaching and learning situations.
- Evidence of ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in cross-cultural contexts.
- Completed Alaska Student Teacher Authorization Packet (including fingerprint cards and criminal background check).
- Complete an interview, when requested.
- Some school districts may require interns to pass a general physical exam and require additional shot records.
Program Requirements
- Minimum Requirements for Degree: 121 credits
- Students must earn a C grade or better in each course.
Course List
The following courses are required for the B.A. in Elementary Education:
- General University Requirements
- General Education Requirements
- Mathematics Requirements
- Science Requirement
- Social Sciences Requirements
- Humanities Requirements
- Education Requirements
- Professional Internship Year with Integrated Coursework
Education Requirements
The following education courses are required:
- ED F110: Becoming a Teacher in the 21st Century
- ED F201: Introduction to Education
- ED F204: Literature for Children
- EDSE F316: Introduction to Special Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers
- EDSE F320: Adapting and Accommodating Instructions for Students with Disabilities
- ED F329: Teaching with Technology
- ED F330: Assessment of Learning
- ED F344: Foundations of Literacy Development
- ED/ANS F420: Alaska Native Education
- ED/ANS F461: Native Ways of Knowing
Professional Internship Year
The Professional Internship Year includes the following courses:
- ED F411: Reading, Writing, Language Arts: Methods and Curriculum Development
- ED F412: Integrated Social Studies and Language Arts: Methods and Curriculum Development
- ED F466: Internship and Collaborative Student Teaching 2
- ED F467: Classroom Management Communication and Collaboration I
- ED F478: Math Methods and Curriculum Development
- ED F479: Science Methods and Curriculum Development
- ED F414: Art, Music, and Drama in Elementary Classrooms
- ED F417: Physical and Health Education for Elementary Teachers
- ED F468: Internship and Student Teaching 2
- ED F469: Classroom Management Communication and Collaboration II
- ED F476: Assessment of Literacy Development