Program Overview

Overview of the Primary Education Program

The Primary Education program at Xavier University prepares students for careers as teachers in public and private schools. The program has relationships with over 50 Cincinnati area schools to provide students with multiple options for required student-teaching experiences that often lead to full-time teaching jobs.

Program Details

The Bachelor of Science in Primary Education (P-5) is designed to equip students with the essential tools and knowledge to create meaningful learning experiences for elementary students in public and private school settings. Through a combination of coursework, field experiences, and clinical practice, students gain the skills and knowledge needed to inspire and educate young learners (grades P-5).

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Primary Education program includes:

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy (3cr)
    • BIOL 130/131: Natural Science Elective (3cr)
    • EDFD 110: Human Development - Social Science Elective (3cr)
    • Second Language I (3cr)
    • CORE 100: First-Year Seminar (3cr)
    • CORE 101: Goa: First-Year Co-Curriculum Program I (0cr)
  • Spring:
    • ENGL 101 or 115: English (3cr)
    • THEO 111: Theological Foundations (3cr)
    • PHYS 114/115: Our Universe - Scientific Perspectives, Quantitative Reasoning Flag (3cr)
    • EDFD 101: Intro to Education (3cr)
    • EDSP 205: Foundations Special Ed (3cr)
    • Second Language II (3cr)
    • CORE 102: Goa: First-Year Co-Curriculum Program II (0cr)
• Sophomore:
  • Fall:
    • MATH 211: Number Sense - Math Perspectives (3cr)
    • EDEC 210: Child Development - Writing Flag (3cr)
    • EDFD 251: Instructional Technology (3cr)
    • EDEL 351: Instructional Strategies for EL (3cr)
    • EDEL 352: Culturally Responsive Classrooms - Solidarity and Kinship Flag (3cr)
    • Second Language III (3cr)
  • Spring:
    • MATH 212: Geometry - Math Perspectives (3cr)
    • HIST 199: Historical Perspectives (3cr)
    • EDRE 269: Phonics and Foundations of Literacy (3cr)
    • EDRE 312: Reading Methods (3cr)
    • EDCH 324: Children’s Literature - Humanities Elective (3cr)
    • EDME 359: Community & Advocacy - E/RS and Oral Communication Flag (3cr)
• Junior:
  • Fall:
    • EDEC 325: Methods of Observation (3cr)
    • EDEC 230: Play in Early Childhood (3cr)
    • EDEL 403: Primary Math Methods (3cr)
    • EDEL 404: Primary Science Methods (6cr)
    • EDEL 407: Primary Math/Science Field
    • EDRE 478: Literary Assessments (3cr)
  • Spring:
    • EDEL 409: Transitions to Intermediate (3cr)
    • EDEC 350: Primary Integrated Art - Creative Perspectives (3cr)
    • EDEL 405: Primary Language Arts Methods (3cr)
    • EDEL 406: Primary Social Studies Methods (3cr)
    • EDEL 408: Primary LA/SS Field (3cr)
    • EDRE 471: Content Area Literacy (3cr)
• Senior:
  • Fall:
    • EDEC 450: Primary Student Teaching (9cr)
    • EDFD 450: Current Issues Seminar (3cr)
    • Elective or course toward minor or endorsement (optional)
  • Spring:
    • ENGL 205: Literature and the Moral Imagination (3cr)
    • PHIL 200: Philosophical Perspectives (3cr)
    • THEO 200+: Theological Perspectives (3cr)
    • Elective or course toward minor or endorsement (3cr)
    • Elective or course toward minor or endorsement (optional) (3cr)
    • CORE 499

Outcomes

98% of Xavier students, including those in the primary education major, are working, volunteering, or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2023).

Employers

• Cincinnati Public Schools
• Deer Park Community City Schools
• Hamilton County Educational Service Center
• Lakota School District
• Lockland Local Schools
• Princeton School District
• Reading Community School District
• Roger Bacon High School
• Sacred Heart of Jesus School
• St. Bernard School District
• Sycamore City School District

Sample Courses

• Intro To Education (EDFD 101): This course provides an introduction to the foundational, philosophical, and organizational patterns of United States education.
• Play in Early Childhood Education (EDEC 230): This course provides an overview of the theory and practice concerning developmental aspects of play, creativity, imagination, and their relationship to music, movement, and creative drama.
• Phonics and the Foundation of Literature (EDRE 269): This course covers the history of the English language, linguistics, and the use of phonetics as it relates to the reading process.

Clubs

• Educators for Justice: A club for education majors or minors looking to connect with Cincinnati's professional education community.
• Embrace Evanston: A club that helps address educational inequality at Evanston Academy.
• Kappa Delta Pi: An international honors society for education students.

Related Programs

• BS in Montessori Education
• BS in Special Education
• BS in Teaching Integrated Science
• Related Minors: Spanish, Psychology, Peace Studies, Deaf Studies
• Related Graduate Programs: Elementary Education (MEd), Educational Administration (MEd)

Program Features

• Discover your leadership potential through experiential learning that begins in the first year.
• Mentorships with inspiring mentors who are practicing elementary school teachers in local schools.
• Located in a city of opportunity with partnerships with 50+ school districts in southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky for field experiences and student teaching.
• Benefit from a fully accredited program by the Ohio Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

Accreditation

Xavier University's School of Education is fully accredited by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. Additionally, Xavier University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

FAQ

• What licensures/certifications does Xavier’s BS in Primary Education prepare students for?
  • Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE)
  • Primary Education: This licensure qualifies teachers to work with students in grades Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5, all four content areas.
• When do students begin in-classroom field experiences?
  • As a first-year student, you'll take EDEL 100: Introduction to Education in the spring semester.
• Are Xavier’s education programs accredited?
  • Yes, Xavier’s School of Education is fully accredited by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
• Does Xavier offer an honors program for education students?
  • Yes, the University Scholars Honors Program offers students in the primary education major a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree.