Program Overview

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Elementary Education/Middle School Language Arts Program

The Elementary Education/Middle School Language Arts program of study prepares future teachers to work with students in elementary and middle school settings. Elementary Education majors have multiple field-based courses where they will work in classrooms in grades 16 and 59.

Program Overview

The program prepares students for the classroom through coursework on campus and field work within schools. In addition, students will be prepared to integrate technology into their classroom as a beginning teacher.

• Be prepared and certified to teach 1st6th grade and to teach middle school language arts grades 5-9.
• Do student teaching abroad in a variety of locations, including a partnership with Eagles College in Iquique, Chile.
• Gain leadership skills in numerous student organizations.
• Experience hands-on, real-world learning through multiple field experiences in classrooms as well as student teaching opportunities abroad.

Career Opportunities

With an Elementary Education: Middle School Language Arts degree, graduates can pursue various careers, including teaching positions in elementary and middle schools. The education sector has a high demand for qualified teachers, and graduates of this program are well-prepared to meet this demand.

Education Careers Outlook

• Early Childhood was the fourth highest teacher shortage area in Missouri in the school year.
• Students secure teaching positions across the state of Missouri, in surrounding states, and beyond.
• Early Childhood graduates with add-on certification in Elementary Education find jobs as preschool, kindergarten, and elementary grade teachers in public or private schools.
• Graduates may also work in programs such as Parents as Teachers or First Steps.
• Placement rates are high for alumni with more than one teaching certification.
• First-year teachers report feeling well-prepared by Southeast Missouri State University on the annual survey of first-year teachers.
• Principals also report elementary education graduates are well-prepared as beginning teachers.

Program Requirements

Degree Type

• Bachelor's Degree

Program Type

• Undergraduate

Location

• Main Campus - Cape
• Regional Campus - Kennett
• Regional Campus - Sikeston

College

• Education, Health & Human Studies

Department

• Elementary, Early & Special Education

Admission Requirements

• 42 credit hours completed
• One of the following:
  • Composite/Superscore of 20 or higher on the ACT exam
  • Composite score of 1040 or higher on the SAT exam
  • Passing scores on all sections of the Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA)
  • A 4-year degree from an accredited college/university
• The following course requirements met:
  • A grade of C or above in CF/PY120 The Child (Elementary, Early and Exceptional) or PY222 Development of the Adolescent (5-9, 9-12 and PK12)
  • A grade of B or above in ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession or ME222 Principles of Teaching Music.

Graduation Requirements

• 3.0 professional education GPA
• Pass the following Missouri Content Assessments:
  • 073-074 Elementary Education Multi-Content (English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science Math)
  • 012 (Middle School Mathematics)
• Successfully complete all required coursework and field experiences

Field and Clinical Experiences

• Early explore the role of educators before committing to the degree.
• Mid-level elementary education majors adding on middle school language arts certification do field experiences in both elementary grades and middle school language arts classrooms.
• Student Teaching semester-long, co-teaching capstone experience in an early childhood classroom (PreK 3rd grade)

General Education Requirements

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in the major program.

• Social and Behavioral Sciences 6 hours
• Constitution Requirement 3 hours
• Written Communication 6 hours
• Oral Communication 3 hours
• Natural Sciences 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
• Mathematics 3 hours
• Humanities & Fine Arts 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
• Additional requirements 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
• Civics examination

Sample Four-Year Plan

Freshman Year

Fall Semester (14 Hours)

• UI100 (1)
• EN100 (3)
• BS118 (1)
• PS103 (3)
• SC105 (3)
• US105 (3)

Spring Semester (16 Hours)

• BS218 (3)
• ED280 (3)
• EN140 (3)
• MA128 (4)
• PY/CF120 (3)

Milestone: 3.0 GPA in content courses

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester (16 Hours)

• EC101 (3)
• EN201 (3)
• LI270/LI271 (3)
• MA228 (4)
• PH218 (3)

Spring Semester (18 Hours)

• CF233 (3)
• EL274 (3)
• EN378 (3)
• LI243 (3)
• LI385 (3)
• UI308 (3)

Milestone: 3.0 GPA in content courses; Passing score MoGEA or ACT

Junior Year

Fall Semester (18 Hours)

Literacy Block

• EL300 (3)
• EL314 (3)
• EL316 (3)
• EL317 (3)
• EL340 (3)
• LI542 (3)

Spring Semester (18 Hours)

Content Block

• EL350 (3)
• EL355 (3)
• EL360 (3)
• EX390 (3)
• SE319 or ED506 (3)
• SE552 (3)

Milestone: 3.0 GPA in content and education courses

Senior Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

Advanced Block

• EL354 (3)
• EL410 (3)
• EL420 (3)
• EL430 (3)
• SE319 or ED506 (3)

Spring Semester (13 Hours)

Student Teaching Block

• EF400 (1)
• EL480 (12)

Milestone: Passing score MOContent Exams and MEES; 3.0 GPA in math content and professional education courses.

Additional Resources

• Office of Admissions
• Cost
• Scholarships
• Student Organizations & Teams
• Department of Elementary, Early and Special Education
• College of Education, Health and Human Studies

Related Programs

• Early Childhood Education Degree
  • BSED
  • On-Campus
  • Main Campus
  • Regional
• Child & Family Studies: Child Development Major
  • BS
  • On-Campus
  • Main Campus

Contact Information

• Department: Elementary, Early & Special Education
• College: Education, Health & Human Studies
• Location: Scully Building, 313
• Mailing Address: One University Plaza, MS 5575, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701