Program Overview

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Elementary Education/Middle School Science

The Science Elementary Education major prepares future teachers to work with students in elementary and middle school settings. Elementary Education majors have multiple field-based courses where you will work in classrooms in grades 1–6 and 5–9.

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

Program Details

As a science elementary education major, you'll prepare for your future in the classroom through coursework on campus and fieldwork within schools. In addition, you'll be prepared to integrate technology into your classroom as a beginning teacher.

• Be prepared and certified to teach 1st – 6th grade and to teach middle school sciences grades 5-9.
• Do your student teaching abroad in a variety of locations, including our 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 Outlook

Science elementary education students secure teaching positions across the state of Missouri, in surrounding states, and beyond. Science elementary education major 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.

Career Statistics

• Elementary Education was the highest teacher shortage area in MO in the school year.
• 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 our annual survey of first-year teachers.
• Principals report elementary graduates are well-prepared as beginning teachers on our annual survey about first-year teachers.

Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Degree Outcomes & Careers

• $69k: Elementary Teacher
• $70k: Middle School Teacher
• $70k: Special Education Teacher

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
  • Score of 220 or higher on the Paraprofessional 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 Princples of Teaching Music.

Graduation Requirements

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in 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

Field and Clinical Experiences

The state of Missouri has high expectations for future educators:

• 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 course work and field experiences

General Education Requirements

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

Sample Four-Year Plan

First Year

Fall Semester (16 Hours)

• UI100 (1)
• EN100 (3)
• BS118 (1)
• MA128 (4)
• PH128/129 (4)
• SC105 (3)

Spring Semester (16 Hours)

• BS218 (3)
• ED280 (3)
• EN140 (3)
• MA228 (4)
• PY/CF120 or PY222 (3)

Milestone: Maintain 3.0 GPA in content courses

Second Year

Fall Semester (18 Hours)

• EC101 (3)
• EL274 (3)
• EV105 (3)
• PH106 (3)
• PH218 (3)
• US105 (3)

Spring Semester (16 Hours)

• BS109 (3)
• CF233 (3)
• CH181 (5)
• GO318 (3)
• PS103 (3)
• UI308 (3)

Milestone: Maintain 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)
• LI243 (3)

Spring Semester (18 Hours)

Content Block

• EL350 (3)
• EL355 (3)
• EL360 (3)
• EX390 (3)
• SE320 or ED506 (3)
• SE552 (3)

Milestone: Maintain 3.0 GPA in content and education courses

Senior Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)

Advanced Block

• EL354 (3)
• EL410 (3)
• EL420 (3)
• EL430 (3)
• SE320 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.

Course Requirements

• BS109 Science Reasoning in Biology (1)
• BS118 Intro Process Science Elem Teachers (1)
• BS218 Biological Science: A Process Approach (3)
• CH181 Basic Principles of Chemistry (3)
• GO318 Earth Science: a Process Approach (3)
• PH106 Physical Concepts (3)
• PH128/129 Introduction to Astronomy & Lab (4)
• PH218 Physical Science: A Process Approach (3)

Additional Requirements

(These courses may also meet General Education requirements)

• BS218 Biological Science: A Process Approach (3)
• EC101 Economic Problems & Policies (3)
• EN100 English Composition I (3)
• PH218 Physical Science: A Process Approach (3)
• PS103 U.S. Political Systems (3)
• SC105 Fundamentals of Oral Communication (3)
• UI308 Physical/Cultural Landscapes of the World (3)
• US105 American History I (3)

Related Programs

• Early Childhood Education Degree
• Child & Family Studies: Child Development Major

Department Contact

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