Program Overview

Elementary Education Degree

The Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree prepares future teachers to work with students in elementary school settings. As an Elementary Education degree student, you will have multiple field-based courses where you will work in classrooms with 1st – 6th grade children.

Degree Type and Program Type

• Degree Type: Bachelor's Degree
• Program Type: Undergraduate

Location and College

• Location: Main Campus - Cape, Regional Campus - Kennett, Regional Campus - Sikeston
• College: Education, Health & Human Studies
• Department: Elementary, Early & Special Education

Program Overview

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

What Can You Do with an Elementary Education Degree?

• Be prepared and certified to teach 1st – 6th grade.
• Choose courses in your area of interest such as autism, working with English language learners, special education, or working with families.
• Do your 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.

Elementary Education Degree Outlook

• Elementary Education was the second highest teacher shortage area in Missouri in the school year.
• Students secure teaching positions across the state of Missouri, in surrounding states, and beyond.
• Elementary Education graduates find jobs as first–sixth grade teachers in public or private schools.
• 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.

Professional Education Requirements

• BS118 Introduction to Process Science for Elementary Teachers (1)
• CF233 Creative Thought & Expression in Children (3)
• ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession (3)
• ED506 Education Law and Society (3)
• EF400 Student Teaching Seminar (1)
• EL274 Diversity in American Schools (3)
• EL300 Instructional & Assistive Technology in a Universally Designed Learning Environment (3)
• EL310 Pedagogy - Elementary Instructional Strategies / Models (3)
• EL314 Literacy Field Experience (3)
• EL316 Emergent and Early Literacy Instruction (3)
• EL317 Literacy Methods for Elementary Teachers (3)
• EL340 Classroom Management (3)
• EL350 Content Field Experience (3)
• EL354 Meeting the Needs of Struggling Readers (3)
• EL355 Content & Disciplinary Literacy (3)
• EL360 Integrated Math, Science, Social Sciences, Health Instruction (3)
• EL410 Differentiated Instruction (3)
• EL420 Assessment & Data Analysis (3)
• EL430 Advanced Field Experience (3)
• EL480 Elementary Education Student Teaching (12)
• EN140 Rhetoric & Critical Thinking (3)
• EX390 Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)
• LI243 Children's Literature (3)
• MA128 Numbers and Operations for Educators (4)
• MA228 Geometry & Measurements for Educators (4)
• CF120 Foundations of Child Development/PY120 Psychological Development of the Child (3)

Additional 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)

Approved Elective – Choose 9 hours

• Art
• Autism
• Child and Family
• Dance
• English
• Family Engagement
• Fine Arts
• Foreign Language
• Inclusion
• Math
• Middle School certification
• Music
• Psychology
• Science
• Social Sciences
• TESOL
• Theatre

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
• A grade of C or above in CF/PY120 The Child.
• A grade of B or above in ED280 Introduction to Education as a Profession.
• International Students must also meet the following requirements:
  • C1 (CEFR) level
  • IELTS minimum score of 7.0 or TOEFL minimum score of 95

General Education Requirements

• 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

Graduation Requirements

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

Field and Clinical Experiences

• Early – explore the role of educators before you commit to the degree
• Mid-level – elementary education majors do three mid-level field experiences in a variety of grade levels in elementary school settings
• Student Teaching – semester long, co-teaching capstone experience in an elementary classroom

Sample Four-Year Plan

First Year

• Fall Semester (12 Hours)
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN100 (3)
  • BS118 (1)
  • MA128 (4)
  • SC105 (3)
• Spring Semester (16 Hours)
  • BS218 (3)
  • ED280 (3)
  • EN140 (3)
  • MA228 (4)
  • PY/CF120 (3)

Second Year

• Fall Semester (16 Hours)
  • EC101 (3)
  • PH218 (3)
  • PS103 (3)
  • UI308 (4)
  • US105 (3)
  • Elective (1)
• Spring Semester (18 Hours)
  • CF233 (3)
  • EL274 (3)
  • LI243 (3)
  • Approved Elective (3)
  • Approved Elective (3)
  • Approved Elective (3)

Third Year

• Fall Semester (15 Hours)
  • Literacy Block
    • EL300 (3)
    • EL314 (3)
    • EL316 (3)
    • EL317 (3)
    • EL340 (3)
• Spring Semester (15 Hours)
  • Content Block
    • EL310 (3)
    • EL350 (3)
    • EL355 (3)
    • EL360 (3)
    • EX390 (3)

Fourth Year

• Fall Semester (15 Hours)
  • Advanced Block
    • ED506 (3)
    • EL354 (3)
    • EL410 (3)
    • EL420 (3)
    • EL430 (3)
• Spring Semester (13 Hours)
  • Student Teaching Block
    • EF400 (1)
    • EL480 (12)

Related Programs

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

Accreditations

The program is accredited and recognized for its quality and effectiveness in preparing elementary education teachers.