Department of
Teacher Education and Higher Education
Elementary Education (K-6)
B.S. Degree
Designed for:
Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and earn a teaching licensure for grades K-6.
Program Description:
Elementary education majors at UNCG combine a rigorous academic program with extensive clinical practice in our partner school sites. Elementary education majors proceed through a series of systematic field experiences in conjunction with their methods courses and weekly seminars. Over a two-year (four semester) period, these juniors and seniors spend ten hours per week in elementary classrooms culminating with full-time student teaching during the fourth semester. Elementary education majors are assigned to an inquiry team of 25-30 students. Each team has a leader and a full-time assistant. UNCG faculty and instructors work closely with public school faculty, who we call On-Site Teacher Educators (OSTEs) to plan a range of "theory into practice" experiences.
Minimum Requirements
Students should be aware that meeting the minimum requirements is not a guarantee that they will be admitted.
A grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 at UNCG;
A grade of C or better in TED 222, TED 250, and MAT 115;
Completion of all courses needed to fulfill the General Education Requirements;
Satisfactory scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent); and
Criminal Background Check completed
Application deadline July 1st
Program Standards:
Students in the Elementary Education program meet all required standards and competencies for graduation through successful completion of evidences to a standards-based electronic portfolio called TaskStream. This portfolio is a program requirement for the BS. degree and recommendation for an elementary teaching license. By completing the portfolio process students will provide evidence of meeting the NC Professional Teaching Standards (NCPTS) and the NC Standards for Elementary Grade Teachers. Passing scores on the following two required PRAXIS II exams are also required for NC licensure: Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (0011 or 5011) and Elementary Education: Content Area Exercises (0012)
Program Goals for Students in the B.S. in Elementary Education:
- Become involved in the identification of educational problems and the search for solutions
- Become critical thinkers capable of effectively expressing themselves in oral and written communication.
- Develop self-awareness and understanding of their own worldview and how that perspective influences their own learning and teaching.
- Understand the cultures of schools and classrooms and the professional roles of teachers in those cultures.
- Understand cultural differences and appreciate the rich cultural heritage that each child brings to the classroom.
- Understand the unique difference learning characteristics, needs, and capacities of children on different ages and developmental levels, of different cultural and language backgrounds, and of varying exceptionalities.
- Develop skills in observing students’ development and learning strategies and in creating appropriate learning opportunities and managing instruction responsively.
- Use educational technology in innovative ways to enhance classroom learning.
Requirements for Elementary Education Majors (120 hours):
General Education Requirements:(36-37 hours)
- All students must complete the General Education (GEC) requirements. See the Undergraduate Bulletin for details and courses.
- All students must complete the GE marker requirements, including 12 hours of GL/GN markers, two WI courses, and two SI courses.
- One of the two required Writing Intensive (WI) courses and Speaking Intensive (SI) courses must be taken in the major.
Major Requirements: (42 Hours)
The following courses are required. However, the actual schedule of TED courses may vary across teams
- TED 250 (pre-requisite for admission to the major)
- TED 350, 370, 420 (First professional semester)
- TED 320, 380, 375 (Writing Intensive), (Second professional semester)
- TED 360, 428, 400 (Speaking Intensive)(Third professional semester)
- TED 461 (Student teaching - final semester)
- NOTE: All TED courses require a assignments to be completed in elementary school classrooms
Licensure Requirements: (21 hours)
- ELC 381
- HDF 301
- KIN 302 Movement Pedagogy for Elementary School Teachers
- HEA 341 Health Pedagogy for Elementary School Teachers
- Two (2) teaching methods from the fines arts selected from ART 367, MUS 361, DCE 345 or THE 315
- LIS 120
Second Academic Concentration Requirement
All students majoring in Elementary Education are required to complete an approved second academic concentration of at least 18 semester hours in a basic academic discipline or in an approved interdisciplinary studies program, although some departments (e.g., French and Spanish) have a 24 hours requirement. Depending upon the concentration selected, a maximum of six (6) hours may be counted toward the General Education Core requirements as well as toward the concentration. TEHE courses and 10-hour per week required internships for Elementary Education majors are always scheduled on M-W-F. Students should schedule other courses for T-Th only.
Licensure Process:
- Completion of Program of Study
- Successful completion of Task Stream Portfolio
- Acceptable scores on required PRAXIS II exams
- Application for licensure through UNCG Certification Officer
Contact Information:
Student Advising
(336) 334-3410