Program Overview

Elementary Education, BSEd

Overview

This bachelor's degree provides teacher candidates with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of students in grades PreK-6. The robust, well-rounded program of study includes general and content-specific methods courses designed to prepare reflective teachers who are responsive to students’ diverse needs and ready to advance the 21st Century classroom. A strong partnership with local PK-6 schools ensures that teacher candidates are immersed in classroom settings with elementary students throughout their teacher preparation program. Graduates recognize and adapt to students’ needs, interests and readiness levels through innovative, research-based pedagogical practices.

Admissions

Four-Year Students

To declare a concentration in Elementary Education PK-6 (Licensure), four-year students must:

• complete a minimum of 45 credits
• attain a cumulative GPA of 2.50

To declare a concentration in Educational Studies (Non-Licensure), four-year students must:

• complete a minimum of 45 credits
• attain a cumulative GPA of 2.50

Degree-Seeking Transfer Students

To declare a concentration in Elementary Education PK-6 (Licensure), transfer students must:

• complete a minimum of 45 credits
• earn a cumulative GPA of 2.50 at previous institution or complete 12 credits at Mason with a 2.50 GPA

To declare a concentration in Educational Studies (Non-Licensure), transfer students must:

• complete a minimum of 45 credits
• earn a cumulative GPA of 2.50 at previous institution or complete 12 credits at Mason with a 2.50 GPA

Policies

Students in the BSEd in Elementary Education must maintain at least a 2.50 GPA and earn a C or better in their major and concentration coursework.

Prior to applying for internship, students in the licensure concentration (EEPK) must successfully complete:

• Emergency First Aid, CPR and AED certification or training
• Praxis Teaching Reading: Elementary
• Praxis Subject Assessment for Elementary Education
• Completion of Content Area Coursework

Licensure testing requirements are determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia and may change at any time. If changes to these requirements occur, students must meet the current testing and licensure requirements as set forth in the legal Code of Virginia.

Termination from Program Policy

Termination from the major may be imposed as a result of excessive repeating of required courses without achieving the minimum standard, and for other evidence of continued failure to make adequate progress toward completion of the major, including failure to maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and failure to exhibit professional dispositions.

A grade of C or higher is required in each of the Elementary Education major courses (see Requirements section in this catalog for list of required major courses). Students will not be permitted to make more than three graded attempts to achieve a C or higher in each course. Once a student has attempted a major course twice unsuccessfully, they must meet with an academic advisor in order to develop a success plan and receive an override to register for the third attempt. Those who do not successfully complete a major course within three attempts will be terminated from the major.

Students have the right to appeal termination from major by following the CEHD academic appeal process.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120

Mason Core

• Foundation Requirements:
  • Written Communication: 3
  • Oral Communication: 3
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 3
  • Information Technology and Computing: 3
• Exploration Requirements:
  • Arts: 3
  • Global Contexts: 3
  • Literature: 3
  • Natural Science: 7-8
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences: 3
  • Global History: 3
• Integration Requirement:
  • Written Communication: 3
• Mason Apex:
• Total Credits: 37-38

Major Requirements

• ELED 242: Foundations of Elementary Education: 3
• ELED 305: Foundations of Elementary Methods and Management (Mason Core): 3
• ELED 390: Clinical Experience: Theory to Practice Integration I: 2
• ELED 391: Clinical Experience: Theory to Practice Integration II: 1
• ELED 401: Classroom Management and Instructional Strategies for Diverse Learners: 3
• ELED 402: Differentiating Elementary Methods and Management: 3
• ELED 410: Emergent and Early Literacy: 3
• ELED 411: Reading Development, Processes, Assessment, and Pedagogy: 3
• ELED 412: Writing Development, Processes and Pedagogy: 3
• ELED 421: STEM in the Elementary Classroom: 3
• ELED 443: Children, Family, Culture, and Schools, Ages 4-12: 3
• ELED 452: Mathematics Methods for the Elementary Classroom: 3
• ELED 453: Science Methods for the Elementary Classroom: 3
• ELED 454: Methods of Teaching Social Studies and Integrating Fine Arts in the Elementary Classroom: 3
• ELED 480: Practicum in Elementary Education (Mason Core): 3
• EDUC 301: Educating Diverse and Exceptional Learners: 3
• Total Credits: 45

Concentration in Educational Studies (Non-Licensure) (EDNL)

• Choose 12 credits from the following or other education-related classes approved by advisor: 12
  • ECED 404: Engaging Families of Diverse Learners, Birth – Grade 6
  • EDCI 423: Methods for Teaching PK-6 English Learners in Inclusive Classrooms
  • EDEP 350: Perspectives on Achievement Motivation (Mason Core)
  • EDSE 241: Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum
  • EDSE 353: Individualized Behavior Supports
  • EDSE 354: Consultation, Collaboration, and IEP Development
  • ELED 422: Collaboration in PK-6 Inclusive School Settings
  • ELED 458: Cambridge Schools Experience
  • ELED 495: Elementary Education Non-Licensure Clinical Experience
  • PHED 330: Health and Physical Activity for Classroom Teachers
• Total Credits: 12

Concentration in Elementary Education PK-6 (Licensure) (EEPK)

• ELED 490: Internship in Elementary Education (Mason Core): 9
• Choose one course from the following: 3
  • ECED 404: Engaging Families of Diverse Learners, Birth – Grade 6
  • EDCI 423: Methods for Teaching PK-6 English Learners in Inclusive Classrooms
  • EDEP 350: Perspectives on Achievement Motivation (Mason Core)
  • EDSE 241: Characteristics of Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum
  • EDSE 353: Individualized Behavior Supports
  • EDSE 354: Consultation, Collaboration, and IEP Development
  • ELED 422: Collaboration in PK-6 Inclusive School Settings
  • PHED 330: Health and Physical Activity for Classroom Teachers
• Total Credits: 12

Electives

• Select 25-26 credits of electives: 25-26
• Total Credits: 25-26

Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan below is a recommended sequencing of courses for the Concentration in Elementary Education PK-6 (Licensure) based on pre-requisites and scheduling. This may not fit every student's needs and is a guideline, not a requirement. Students should confirm major requirements with their academic advisor and with PatriotWeb Degree Evaluation to ensure they enroll in the proper courses and are on track to graduate.

The 4-year plan for the Concentration in Education Studies (Non-Licensure) is identical to this for the first 7 semesters. For the 8th and final semester, students should consult with their advisor on course selection.

• First Year
  • Fall Semester: 14
    • ENGH 101: 3
    • Natural Science with Lab: 4
    • EDUC 200: 3
    • Elective (UNIV 100 recommended): 1
    • Global History (HIST 125): 3
  • Spring Semester: 15
    • Oral Communication (COMM 101): 3
    • ELED 257: 3
    • ELED 258: 3
    • Elective (GOVT 103 recommended): 3
    • Elective (MATH 271 recommended): 3
• Second Year
  • Fall Semester: 16
    • Natural Science with Lab (choose different discipline): 4
    • ARTH 101: 3
    • ELED 242: 3
    • MATH 272: 3
    • Elective (HIST 121 or HIST 122 recommended): 3
  • Spring Semester: 15
    • ENGH 302: 3
    • GGS 101: 3
    • EDUC 301: 3
    • Elective: 3
    • Elective: 3
• Third Year
  • Fall Semester: 15
    • ELED 305: 3
    • ELED 390: 2
    • ELED 443: 3
    • ELED 454: 3
    • ELED 410: 3
    • Elective: 1
  • Spring Semester: 15
    • ELED 391: 1
    • ELED 401: 3
    • ELED 411: 3
    • ELED 452: 3
    • ELED 453: 3
• Fourth Year
  • Fall Semester: 15
    • ELED 402: 3
    • ELED 412: 3
    • ELED 421: 3
    • ELED 480: 3
    • Elective: 3
  • Spring Semester: 15
    • Program Elective: 3
    • ELED 490: 9
    • Elective: 3
• Total Credits: 120