• ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

    Why Elementary Education?
    Students seeking elementary teacher certification should pursue the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree (B.S.I.S.). A minimum of 124 hours is required for the degree. Students who complete the requirements for the B.S.I.S. degree and who successfully pass the required state competency examinations will fulfill simultaneously all requirements for elementary teacher certification.

    Careers in Elementary Education
    EC-4 Teaching position upon certification.

    Elementary Education Requirements
    Major (Teaching Field) – Rather than a traditional major and minor, the B.S.I.S. degree includes an interdisciplinary program. This program focuses on the subject matter taught in the elementary school and a combination of other subject fields selected to prepare the student for the comprehensive section of the teacher certification examination.

    Elementary Education Certification – Interdisciplinary Studies 
    Elementary Education (grades pre-K – 6):

    EDLI 3307 – Literature Based Approaches to Teaching Reading
    EDLI 3308 – Emergent Literacy and Phonics
    EDLI 3310 – Content Area Literacy in Elementary Education
    EDLI 4300 – Diagnosis and Remediation of Literacy Difficulties
    EDLI 4345 – Teaching English as a Second Language
    EDLI 4347 – Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School
    EDSP 3304 – Programs, Procedures and Issues in Special Education
    EDSP 3306 – Principles of Instruction in Special Programs and Education
    EDUC 4301 – Teaching Science in the Elementary and Middle School
    EDUC 4303 – Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School
    EDUC 4305 – Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary and Middle School

    Elementary Education Certification – Interdisciplinary Studies
    Elementary Education (grades pre-K – 6) with minor in Religious Education/Children’s Ministry

    Concentration – Elementary Education – 24 hours:
    EDLI 3308 – Emergent Literacy and Phonics
    EDLI 3310 – Content Area Literacy in Elementary Education
    EDLI 4300 – Diagnosis and Remediation of Literacy Difficulties
    EDLI 4347 – Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School
    EDSP 3304 – Introduction to Special Education
    EDUC 4301 – Teaching Science in the Elementary and Middle School
    EDUC 4303 – Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School
    EDUC 4305 – Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary and Middle School

    Minor – Religious Education/Children’s Ministry – 18 hours:
    RLED 1301 – Introduction to Baptist Ministry
    RLED 3309 – Spiritual Formation
    RLED 3315 – Preschool and Children’s Ministries in the Church
    RLED 4301 – Survey of Christian Education
    RLED 4302 – Church Administration
    RLED 4315 – The Christian Ministry

    Elementary Education Certification – Interdisciplinary Studies
    Elementary Education (grades pre-K – 6) with minor in Special Education:

    Concentration – Elementary Education – 24 hours:
    EDLI 3308 – Emergent Literacy and Phonics
    EDLI 3310 – Content Area Literacy in Elementary Education
    EDLI 4300 – Diagnosis and Remediation of Literacy Difficulties
    EDLI 4345 – Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School
    EDSP 3304 – Introduction to Special Education
    EDUC 4301 – Teaching Science in the Elementary and Middle School
    EDUC 4303 – Teaching Social Studies in the Elementary and Middle School
    EDUC 4305 – Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary and Middle School

    Minor – Special Education – 18 hours:
    EDSP 3304 – Introduction to Special Education
    EDSP 3305 – Trends, Issues, Policies, and Procedures in Special Education
    EDSP 3306 – Principles of Instruction in Special Education
    EDSP 3308 – Assessment of Students with Special Needs
    EDSP 4315 – Strategies for Management of Behavior
    EDSP 4347 – Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School

    Professional Education – Elementary Education
    In addition to the general education core and preparation in the teaching field, all certification programs require a professional education sequence. The professional education sequence provides students with knowledge of the learner, the teaching-learning process, and effective teaching and classroom management strategies. It also provides a structured program of field experiences, beginning with classroom observation and ending with student teaching. Students must have taken and passed the basic skills test upon completion of EDUC 3301 – Principles and Practices in Education and before taking further professional education courses.

    The following courses constitute the professional education sequence required for elementary certification (EC – grade 6):
    #EDIT 4332 – Integrating Technology into the Curriculum
    *EDUC 2301 – Introduction to Teaching
    EDUC 3301 – Principles and Practices in Education
    EDUC 3302 – Instructional Strategies and Practices
    EDUC 3313 – Educating Students from Diverse Backgrounds
    EDUC 4313 – Classroom Management
    *EDUC 4318 – Becoming a Teacher
    EDUC 4661 – Elementary Student Teaching

    # Course not required for students seeking the elementary education concentration with religious education/children’s ministry or special education minor.

    * History requirements differ for students in New Mexico. Therefore, EDUC 2301 will be replaced by either HIST 1303 or 1304; and EDUC 4318 will be replaced by an approved history elective.