Program Overview
The department offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with a major in Elementary Education K-6, the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree with a major in Special Education K-12 and the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education Dual Licensure. A general description and course requirements of the Elementary Education K-6 major are outlined in section 3.1 while section 3.2 provides the same information on the Special Education K-12 major, and section 3.3 articulates the program details for the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) degree in Elementary Education K-6 with Special Education licensure.
The performance based undergraduate program in elementary education is designed to prepare candidates for positions as teachers in grades K-6. Upon completion of the program, candidates are expected to: (a) understand and apply knowledge related to the social, historical, and philosophical foundations of elementary education; (b) possess knowledge and skills to effectively teach all content areas including literacy/reading, mathematics, science, and social studies; (c) know the way children learn and develop; (d) use knowledge of how children learn and develop to design and implement age appropriate instruction; (e) understand language acquisition, cultural influences on learning, emotional and social development, exceptionalities, diverse student populations, inclusion and equity in classrooms and schools; (f) integrate technology into instruction and learning; (g) use research and developmentally appropriate practices in their teaching; and (h) know the roles and responsibilities of the profession of teaching.
The degree requires the successful completion of 123 hours including: (1) UCA Core: complete 38 hours to meet lower-division UCA Core requirements and complete upper-division UCA Core requirements using designated Elementary and Special Education courses. HIST 2301 or 2302, MATH 1360 or 1390, PHYS 1400, PSCI 1330, and EDUC 2330 or SOC 2325 should be selected within the lower-division core because these courses fulfill both UCA Core requirements and program requirements; (2) professional education courses; (3) academic content courses; (4) and related requirements.
Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Elementary Education enter the Quantitative Literacy Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1360 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit that completes their 1000-level math requirements.
Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program
LD = Lower Division
UD = Upper Division
C = Effective Communication
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
R = Responsible Living
Z = Capstone Experience
Program Outline
Professional Education (65 semester hours):
- EDUC 1300 Education as a Profession – must be completed prior to admission to the teacher education program
- ELSE 3301 Development and Learning Theories
- ELSE 3304 Instructional Strategies for K-6 Social Studies
- ELSE 3305 Integrated Approaches to Child and Young Adult Literature
- ELSE 3308 Foundations of Diverse Learners
- ELSE 3390 Integrated Curriculum and Assessment Planning
- ELSE 4305 Literacy Assessment and Intervention
- ELSE 4307 Instructional Programming for Diverse Learners [UD UCA Core: D, R]
- ELSE 4309 Positive Classroom Environment
- ELSE 4310 Junior Block Practicum
- ELSE 4311 Foundations of Reading
- ELSE 4315 Workshop Approach to Teaching Writing in the K-12 Classroom [UD UCA Core: C]
- ELSE 4316 Instructional Strategies for Math and Science
- ELSE 4318 Internship I
- ELSE 4319 Guidance and Management of Children
- ELSE 4320 Elementary Reading Methods
- ELSE 4331 Data Driven Instructional Planning [UD UCA Core: I]
- ELSE 4T90 Internship II [UD UCA Core: Z]
- EDUC 4210 Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning
Academic Core Requirements (20 semester hours):
- HIST 3310 Social Science Concepts in Arkansas History
- MATH 3351 Number Systems: Integers
- MATH 4310 Geometry & Measurement Topics for Elementary Teachers
- MATH 3352 Number Systems: Real Math
- SCI 4410 Concepts in Science
- SCI 3410 Earth Science
In addition, MATH 1360 or MATH 1390, PHYS 1400, and EDUC 2330 or SOC 2325 must be taken if not completed as part of the lower-division UCA Core (general education) requirement.
Delivery of courses
With the exception of the lower-division UCA Core, EDUC 1300, ELSE 3304, ELSE 3301, ELSE 3305, ELSE 3308, MATH 3351, MATH 3352, MATH 4310, ELSE 3390, SCI 3410, SCI 4410, HIST 3310, and educational technology prerequisite, all requirements must be completed after admission to the teacher education program. Several courses are scheduled to form blocks, and these courses must be taken simultaneously. All other courses must be taken prior to entry into Junior Block.
Junior Block: ELSE 4307, 4309, 4310, 4311, and 4315 must be taken during the same semester, with field experiences on Tuesday, 8:00-2:00. All Junior Block courses and requirements must be successfully completed before entering Internship I.
Internship I: ELSE 4305, 4316, 4318, 4319, 4320, and 4331 must be taken during the same semester, with field experiences on Tuesdays from 8:00-4:00 and Thursdays from 8:00-12:00. Please see requirements below for entry into Internship II.
Internship II: ELSE 4T90, with daily field experiences. Students must successfully complete all program courses (i.e., General Education, Professional Education, Academic Content, Internship I courses and requirements, and related courses) and earn score(s) on relevant Praxis subject-area assessment(s) to meet or exceed the state’s minimum requirements to be eligible for a license upon graduation before enrolling in Internship II.
