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Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education | Undergraduate Degree Program

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

About OU's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Are you interested in pursuing a degree in elementary education? Ottawa University’s accelerated, online Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree program is designed to produce teachers who have the knowledge, social competencies, methods, communication skills, and sensitivity to be effective in elementary classrooms. As you complete your elementary education degree online, you will develop critical thinking skills through an analysis of educational history, philosophy and psychology; assessment of learning; and classroom management.

Ottawa’s accelerated, online Elementary Education program consists of the liberal arts subjects of mathematics, science, writing, communication, and the fine arts. Upon completion of the core courses, you will be required to complete a clinical practice, which consists of 12 weeks of student teaching and research. Curriculum for Ottawa’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree can help you develop critical-thinking skills, awareness of cultural diversity, and knowledge of the social and political contexts of education.

Students in OU’s Elementary Education program can earn their teaching degree in Arizona or Kansas. 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 and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Perspective on the BAEE

Teachers play an important role in fostering the intellectual and social development of their students. Teachers act as facilitators or coaches, using classroom presentations or individual instruction to help students learn and apply concepts in identified subjects. They plan, evaluate and assign lessons; prepare, administer and grade tests; listen to oral presentations; and maintain classroom discipline. Teachers observe and evaluate a student’s performance and potential, and increasingly are asked to use new assessment methods. Teachers also grade papers, prepare report cards and meet with students, parents and/or school staff to discuss a student’s academic progress or personal problems.

Watch a testimonial from one of OU’s Education graduates! 

For curriculum and course descriptions please download a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program overview.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in elementary education, contact us today.

See Also:

Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychology (Leads to Arizona Certification)

Master of Arts in Education | Online Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction

Master of Arts in Education | Hybrid Masters in Elementary Education Unified (Leads to Elementary Education Unified Licensure in Kansas)

Master of Arts in Education | Hybrid Masters in Elementary Education (Non-Licensing Program)

Master of Arts in Education Online Masters Degree in Learning Technologies

Master of Arts in Education | Hybrid Masters in School Counseling (Leads to School Counseling Certification in Arizona and Kansas)

Master of Arts in Education | Online Masters Degree in School Leadership (Leads to Principal Licensure in Arizona and Kansas)

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Elementary Education is offered at the following locations.

  • Ottawa, KS (Residential Campus)
  • Surprise, AZ (Residential Campus)
  • Overland Park, Kansas
  • Surprise, Arizona
  • Online

Education and Qualifications

The traditional route to becoming a public-school teacher involves completing a bachelor’s degree from a teacher education program and then obtaining a certificate/license in a specific state. Those who have a college degree in other fields may meet state guidelines by completing a teacher certification/licensure program. Graduates of our Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education often pursue an online Master of Arts in Education. 

Careers in Elementary Education

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers work in public and private schools. They generally work during school hours when students are present and use nights and weekends to prepare lessons and grade papers. Most kindergarten and elementary school teachers do not work during the summer.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for elementary education teachers was $61,690 in May 2022. About 109,000 openings for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are projected each year, on average, from 2022 to 2032. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Elementary Education Required Courses

  • General Psychology
  • Educational Psychology
  • Psychology of the Exception Child
  • IDS: Foundations of Schools in a Diverse Society
  • Integrating the Creative Arts and Movement
  • Elementary Mathematics Methods
  • Introductory Teaching Practicum
  • Elementary Science/Health Methods and Practicum
  • Elementary Language Arts and Social Studies Methods
  • Foundations of Instruction in English Language Learners Classroom
  • Theoretical and Foundational Knowledge of Structured Literacy Instruction
  • Literacy Assessment and Evaluation of Diverse Learners
  • Advanced Teaching Practicum
  • Reflective Practice
  • Clinical Lab
  • Action Research and Assessment

Arizona State-Specific Requirements

  • Arizona Constitution
  • United States Constitution
  • SEI Methods for English Language Learners II

For curriculum and course descriptions please download a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program overview.

Full Degree Catalog

University Accreditation

Ottawa University, as a whole, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Specific degree programs within our institution have also been accredited by relevant bodies within the field:

We are proudly recognized for our commitment to student excellence by the following designations:

Why Choose Ottawa
Almost all courses in Ottawa University’s programs are available online and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. We make it easy for you to transfer credits in order to help keep tuition costs down. We also offer courses in accelerated 8-week terms in order to reduce your time to completion. These are just a few of the reasons why we are proud to be the best, fastest, and most affordable option locally in the Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Phoenix areas, as well as serving students nationally through our online degrees.

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