ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science
This degree program is offered through the Division of Education and Speech Language Pathology and combines liberal arts learning with teacher preparation. Its goal is to prepare individuals to become effective teachers in the elementary grades and obtain an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in elementary education. The program is a standards-based program, based upon the guidelines set forth by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) , NCATE program standards for Elementary Teacher Preparation, the State Competencies, and the findings from Effective Teacher research. Collectively, these standards and research findings provide the knowledge base for what elementary teachers should know and do.
Individuals successfully completing this program are qualified to obtain an Oklahoma teaching certificate to teach in grades 1-8. However, most 7th-8th grade situations require additional certification in a major subject area, such as middle school science, mathematics, English, or social studies. Since USAO teacher certification programs are nationally certified by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) certification in other states is simplified. It is recommended that certification be initially obtained in Oklahoma prior to seeking certification from another state.
The USAO Elementary Education curriculum includes coursework from the liberal arts, professional education, and elementary education areas. This broad-based, interdisciplinary curriculum enables students to develop a breadth of knowledge and skills that will prepare them to be effective educators.
The following degree plan lists the course work required to obtain a degree and teaching certificate in Elementary Education. For more information on this program, contact a faculty advisor in this area or the Teacher Education Office in Gary Hall (405 574-1328).
Elementary Education Degree Plan
Program Requirements
Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Satisfy the Foreign Language Competency Requirement
Satisfy the Professional Portfolio Requirement
Admission to the Professional Trimester
Overall Grade Point Average 2.5
2.75 Grade Point Average in Certification Area
Successful Completion of Certification Exams
Required General Education/Liberal Arts Courses: 50 Hours
IDS 1001 Freshman Orientation
IDS 1013 Rhetoric and Public Speaking
IDS 1113 Writing I
IDS 1213 Writing II
IDS 1133 Individual in Contemporary Society
IDS 1223 Mathematics in the Modern World
IDS 2003 Introduction to Computers
IDS 2880 Computer Lab
IDS 2013 Foundations of Physical Science
IDS 2023 Foundations of Life Science
IDS 2011 Foundations of Life Science Lab
IDS 2133 American Civilization (History/Government) I
IDS 2143 American Civilization (History/Government) II
IDS 3223 Political and Economic Systems
IDS 3313 World Thought and Culture I (to 500 C.E)
IDS 3323 World Thought and Culture II (500 to 1650 C.E.)
IDS 4333 World Thought and Culture III (1650 C.E. to Present).
IDS 4522 Senior Seminar
PHED 1011 Concepts of Health and Fitness
PHED 1 hour Activity Artistic Expression Requirement, 2 hours
Required Professional Education Courses: 31 Hours
EDUC 2002 Orientation to Teaching
EDUC 2011 Directed Field Experiences I
EDUC 2022 Education of the Exceptional Child
EDUC 2103 Human Development and Learning
EDUC 3102 Educational Psychology
EDUC 3203 School and Society
EDUC 3211 Directed Field Experiences II
EDUC 3343 Educational Media and Technology
EDUC 4442 Classroom Management and Evaluation Theory
EDUC 4310 Student Teaching in Elementary School
EDUC 4542 Applied Professional Studies
Courses must be taken concurrently.
Required Elementary Education Courses: 31 Hours
EDUC 3003 Language Arts in Elementary School
EDUC 2323 Reading I: Foundations of Literacy
EDUC 3222 Reading II: Strategies & Materials for Lit. Instruction
EDUC 3313 Elementary Math Methods
EDUC 4003 Social Studies in the Elementary School
EDUC 4323 Reading III: Assessment & Instruction of Literacy
ENGL 3302 Literature for Young People
MATH 2113 Number Systems/Problem Solving
MATH 3113 Foundations of Geometry/Measurement
NSCI 2423 Science in the Elementary School
NSCI 2113 Geology/Oceanography
ART 3262 Public School Art
PHED 3333 Physical Education in the Elementary School
MUSC 2222 Music for Elementary Teachers
MATH: 3 Hour Math Elective
