Program Overview

Introduction to the Elementary Education Program

The Elementary Education program at the University of Dubuque is designed to prepare students to become qualified, caring, and inspirational teachers. The program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and includes a K-8 Reading endorsement, allowing graduates to teach Reading up to 8th grade.

Program Description

The program focuses on providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the process of receiving and giving systematic instruction. Students will engage in various experiences in local classrooms, preparing them to build a career as a classroom teacher in an elementary public or private school.

Degree Distinctive

The Teacher Education Program at the University of Dubuque is based on a conceptual framework with five components:

• Professional dispositions guided by the Iowa Code of Ethics
• Content knowledge - a thorough understanding of the content required to teach a lesson
• Pedagogical knowledge - includes the general principles of teaching and an understanding of instruction and classroom management
• Knowledge of learners - the practitioner candidate understands theories of development and how students learn
• The program goals are aligned with InTASC standards, the Iowa state core, and Iowa licensing standards

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Elementary Education program can pursue a variety of career opportunities, including:

• Classroom teacher in an elementary public or private school
• Instructional Coach
• Curriculum Director
• School Psychologist
• Guidance Counselor
• Principal
• Superintendent
• Working for local Area Education Agencies (AEA), Regional Offices of Education (ROE), Cooperative Education Service Agencies (CESA), or state Departments of Education

Admission to the Teacher Education Program

Admission to the Teacher Education Program is a formal process that requires:

• Completion of specific courses (ENG 101, RES 104, COM 101, MATH 112, EDU 100, EDU 200, and EDU 202)
• Earn a GPA of 2.75 or higher
• Earn no grade below C
• Completion of an admission interview
• Submission of a formal essay
• Completion of at least 10 hours of education-related service
• Completion of at least 20 hours of school-based experience
• Excellent disposition to teach, as demonstrated by an average of 2.0 or higher on the UD Disposition Evaluation Assessment

Student Teaching

Student teaching is the culminating experience for Education students and should take place the term before graduation. Approval for student teaching requires:

• Admission to, and retention in, the Teacher Education Program
• Completion of the QCEE Certificate Program
• Application to Obtain Approval for Student Teaching (due March 1st of the academic year prior to student teaching)
• Academic transcripts to verify successful completion of all general education requirements, professional education requirements, and content core requirements with a grade of C or higher
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher
• Excellent disposition to teach, as demonstrated by an average of 2.0 or higher on the UD Disposition Evaluation Assessment
• Submission of a program portfolio that demonstrates a rating of "Met" in each of the program goals

Curriculum Requirements

The Elementary Education program requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, including:

• Professional Education Core courses (EDU 100, EDU 119, EDU 200, EDU 202, EDU 240, EDU 303, EDU 310, EDU 318, EDU 352, and EDU 401)
• Content Core courses (EDU 244, EDU 246, EDU 249, EDU 269, EDU 302, EDU 306, EDU 307, EDU 308, EDU 311, EDU 343, EDU 344, EDU 331, and EDU 346)
• Professional Term courses (EDU 432 and EDU 495)

Student Learning Outcomes

The Teacher Education Program seeks to improve the quality of education in America by producing teachers who have demonstrated competency in the skills necessary for effective teaching. The student learning outcomes of the program are aligned with the InTASC Principles and the Iowa Standards for Teacher Preparation, and include:

• Standard #1: Learner Development
• Standard #2: Learning Differences
• Standard #3: Learning Environments
• Standard #4: Content Knowledge
• Standard #5: Application of Content
• Standard #6: Assessment
• Standard #7: Planning for Instruction
• Standard #8: Instructional Strategies
• Standard #9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
• Standard #10: Leadership and Collaboration

Additional Endorsements

Students in the Elementary Education program may elect to receive additional endorsements, including:

• Early Childhood, Pre K-Kdg. (Endorsement 103)
• English/Language Arts, K-8 (Endorsement 119)
• Instructional Strategist I: Mild & Moderate, K-8 (Endorsement 260)
• Math, K-8 (Endorsement 142)
• Middle School, 5-8 (Endorsements)
• Reading, K-8 (Endorsement 148)
• Science, K-8 (Endorsement 150)
• Social Sciences, K-8 (Endorsement 164)