Elementary Education

The Elementary Education major is designed to produce teachers who have the knowledge, social competencies, methods, communication skills, and sensitivity to be effective in the school environment. Students complete methods courses, professional education courses, and field experiences/observations. They develop critical thinking skills through an analysis of educational history, philosophy and psychology; measurement and evaluation of learning; and classroom management. They gain awareness of cultural diversity and the social and political contexts of education. Elementary Education majors must also demonstrate ability in liberal arts areas including mathematics, science, writing, communication, and the fine arts. The education major is based on state, regional, and national licensure criteria and testing competencies. The Ottawa University teacher education programs are state approved in Arizona and Kansas; the Kansas unit is also accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Curriculum

Liberal Arts Studies Courses

• LAS 30012 Writing and Critical Thinking in the Liberal Arts OR
  • LAS 20010 College Seminar I and LAS 20020 College Seminar II
• LAS 45012 Global Issues in the Liberal Arts (capstone)

Plus 6 credit-hours in each of the following Breadth Areas:

• Art/Expression
• Social/Civic
• Science/Description
• Value/Meaning

Pre-Professional Requirements

• EDU  20000   Technology for Educators
• EDU  30731   The Teaching Profession I
• EDU  30732   The Teaching Profession II (Removing from the program effective 07-1-12)

Professional Education Requirements
Required of all licensure candidates. Must have been admitted to the program and have taken PPST or C-BASE, or consent of Director of Teacher Education Program to enroll in the following:

• EDU  31132   The Exceptional Child
• EDU  31233   Educational Psychology
• EDU  31633   Assessment in Today’s Classroom (Combining w/EDU 40632 effective 7-1-12)
• EDU  33035   Foundations of Schools in a Diverse Society
• EDU  40632   Managing the Educational Environment

Methodology
All elementary majors must have been admitted to the Teacher Education Program and have taken the PPST or C-BASE to enroll in the following:

• EDU  20033   Integrating the Fine Arts
• EDU  30030   Elementary Math Methods
• PED  30933   Health and Physical Education Methods for Elementary Classroom Teachers
• EDU  32834   Elementary Social Studies Methods (Combining w/EDU 32735 effective 7-1-12)
• EDU  32735   Elementary Language Arts Methods (Combining w/ EDU 32834 effective 7-1-12)

Field Experience

• EDU  30031   Elementary Math Practicum
• EDU  33132   Elementary Science Methods & Practicum
• EDU  33136   Elementary Primary Reading Methods & Practicum
• EDU  33236   Elementary Intermediate Reading Methods & Practicum

Clinical Practice-Teacher Licensure

• EDU  49001   Elementary Student Teaching I
• EDU  49002   Elementary Student Teaching II
• EDU  40932   Reflective Teaching and Action Research I
• EDU  40934   Reflective Teaching and Action Research II

Content Area Coursework
Elementary Education majors must also develop an area of emphasis in a discipline outside the Teacher Education Program (i.e. math, language arts, social studies, or science). The credit-hour requirements by state are as follows:

• Kansas: Minimum of 20 credit-hours
• Arizona: Minimum of 20 credit-hours

Please Note: State regulations vary from state to state and are subject to change. Teacher licensure, certification, or endorsement cannot be guaranteed by Ottawa University. It is student’s responsibility to seek understanding and to comply with the requirements for their state.