Elementary Education

The PSOE Elementary Education (EE) program will lead to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and will prepare teachers for certification in Pre-Kindergarten (PK) through grade five. Graduates of the Elementary Education degree program will complete a broad range of courses in the liberal arts through the general education curriculum, develop an understanding of the growth and development of young children with diverse academic needs, and develop expertise in the craft of differentiated instruction and assessment through extensive study and over 800 hours of field experience in professional education courses.

In order to incorporate extensive opportunities for elementary classroom experience in every component of the candidates’ preparation, the EE program will begin early to provide focused and well-structured field experience activities for candidates to understand, develop, and demonstrate principles of differentiated teaching. Stage I courses will offer opportunities for candidates to observe, assist, and interview elementary teachers who are planning and implementing differentiated instruction and assessment. During Stage II Clinical Practice Courses, candidates will participate in an 16- week practicum in an elementary school setting. For Stage III Clinical Residency, candidates will spend 16 weeks in a local elementary classroom. These experiences will foster the development of candidates who can work effectively over time with young children of diverse ages, with children with diverse abilities, and with children reflecting culturally and linguistically diverse family systems.