Minor in Child learning student

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Requirements for the Major

Elementary Education Major Requirements (44 credits):

EDU 200 Introduction to Education and Field Experience I (1 credit)
EDU 203 Child and Adolescent Literature (3 credits)
EDU 215 Educational Psychology (3 credits)
EDU 250 Foundations of American Education (2 credits)
EDU 270 Principles of Education and Field Experience II (2 credits)
EDU 301 Language Arts in the Elementary Schools (3 credits)
EDU 303 Reading Methods and Curriculum (3 credits)
EDU 305 Clinical Experience in Reading/Language Arts Methods (1 credit)
EDU 310 Integrating Technology in the Classroom (2 credits)
EDU 311 Social Studies Curriculum and Methods (2 credits)
EDU 313 Elementary Curriculum and Methods of Science (2 credits)
EDU 315 Curriculum and Methods of Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School (2 credits)
EDU 317 Clinical Experience in Social Studies/Science/Math Methods (1 credit)
EDU 370 Human Relations Skills for Educators (1 credit)
EDU 450 Student Teaching in the Elementary School (8 credits) AND
EDU 451 Student Teaching in the Elementary School (7 credits) OR
EDU 452 Student Teaching in the Elementary School (15 credits)
EDU 453 Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)

Collateral Course Requirements: (15 credits)

MAT 223 Math for Educators (3 credits)
PSY 104 Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)
ESE 315 Survey of Exceptional Students (3 credits)
ESE 317 Mild/Moderate Disabilities (3 credits)
ESE 325 Behavior Management (3 credits)
Two courses from the following (4 credits):
ART 201 Art Skills for the Classroom Educator (2 credits)
MUS 225 Musical Skills for the Classroom Teacher (2 credits)
PED 205 PE for Primary Grades (2 credits)
PED 230 Health Education for Elementary Education Majors (2 credits)

Students in elementary education must also complete an endorsement area. Endorsements are available in Early Childhood Education Pre K-K, English/Language Arts K-8; Instructional Strategist I, Mathematics K-8; Science Basic K-8; Social Science-History K-8; and Social Science-Social Studies K-8. Students who pursue one or more of the previous endorsements are also eligible to complete the MiddleSchool 5-8 or Reading K-8 endorsements.

Certified teachers who hold a valid Iowa teaching license may add any endorsement for which Ashford University is approved and currently offers courses.

The Practitioner Preparation Handbook provides further details on program requirements, including admission requirements for the elementary education major. See the Teacher Education section for more information.

Secondary Education Endorsements

Students pursuing the business general endorsement must fulfill requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Education.

Students pursuing a secondary endorsement in Biology (grades 5-12), Chemistry (grades 5-12), English/Language Arts (grades 5-12), Mathematics (grades 5-12), or General Science (grades 5-12), must fulfill program requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in their chosen degree program along with an education track, in addition to satisfying endorsement and education course requirements. In some instances, endorsement and education courses may also be applied to major requirements.

Students who desire a secondary endorsement in American History (grades 5-12), World History (grades 5-12), Psychology (grades 5-12), or Sociology (grades 5-12) must meet the program requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science in addition to satisfying endorsement and education course requirements. In some instances endorsement and education courses may also be applied to social science major requirements.

Coaching Authorization or Endorsement

The College of Education also offers coaching credentials for students who successfully complete the following program:

PED 203 Exercise Physiology (1 credit)
PED 211 Theories and Techniques of Coaching (1 credit)
PED 242 Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries (2 credits)
PSY 104 Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits)

Students must earn a grade of "C-" or higher in the five courses required for the Coaching credential. Students who are eligible or currently hold an Iowa teaching license will be issued the K-12 Coaching endorsement. The students must meet the GPA requirements of the Practitioner Preparation Program.

Students in programs of study outside of Education are eligible for the K-12 Coaching Authorization. These students must hold a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the five required coaching courses. Students who successfully complete the Coaching Authorization are responsible for submitting appropriate application fees and must complete and pay fees associated with the DCI/FBI criminal background investigation as required by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.