Bloomington Programs
Elementary Education Programs
Theory Into Practice Program
Theory Into Practice: A Program for Primary and Intermediate Elementary, K-6
The Theory into Practice Program (TIP) is a four-year program for students who want to be elementary school teachers. The TIP program emphasizes the application of theory and research to the day-to-day world of elementary teachers in a wide range of schools. Courses and field experiences focus on helping students develop the entry-level skills and knowledge needed to employ the current and emerging diagnostic and instructional "tools" that are used in a majority of elementary schools and that will allow them to successfully teach students with a diverse set of abilities. Through their subject concentration area, students gain in-depth experience in the subject of their choice—such as math, science, language arts, social studies, or fine arts. Program experiences are designed to help students identify knowledge that is worthwhile for elementary students and to design and teach lessons constructed around such knowledge. As a whole, program experiences provide for a close "fit" between course work and field experiences, with the goal of providing students with many opportunities to apply and reflect upon what they are learning.Students will typically apply to the TIP program in the sophomore year: by October 1 to begin authorized professional education courses in the spring semester or by March 1 to begin in the fall semester. During their program of studies, students will complete three basic sets of requirements. The General Education component includes work in a cross-section of subject areas conventionally understood as the content of the major. The Area of Concentration enables students to gain a depth of knowledge in a subject of their choice. The Professional Component includes a series of subject-specific methods courses, work in the psychology of learning, applying technology in education settings, multicultural issues, the history of American education, an examination of the purpose of schooling in America, an ongoing set of increasingly demanding field experiences and related seminars. It culminates in a semester-long student teaching experience. Throughout their program, students will build a professional portfolio demonstrating their intellectual growth and ability to reflect.
TIP is an improved version of a program with a proven track record, a history of placing its graduates, and a group of faculty who are leaders in their respective fields. Students who desire a very practical, hands-on approach to their studies and who wish to graduate with the knowledge and skills required by a wide range of employers should consider the TIP program.
Theory Into Practice K-6 Elementary Education Program
This program is divided into three main components, as follows:
| General Education | 45-46 cr. |
| Area of Concentration | 15-19 cr. |
| Professional Education | 71 cr. |
| Total | 131 cr. |
For program requirements (program planning sheet), see: http://education.indiana.edu/programsheets
General Education: Distribution (51 credit hours)
Students who think they have the competence required in a course may contact the chairperson of the department offering the course. If the department chairperson agrees, the student will be permitted to take a credit examination. Students must submit a written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee with the chairperson’s recommendation for a waiver or substitution in the program.
Courses listed by number are either specifically required or are part of a group from which selections must be made to fill a specific requirement. See the appropriate school bulletins for course descriptions. The speech requirement may not be met by correspondence.
General Education: Area of Concentration (15-19 credit hours)
The Area of Concentration requirement is designed to provide the prospective elementary teacher with depth in one school-related curriculum. Students should choose 15+ credit hours from one area listed below to complete with a minimum GPA of 2.5. The credit hours completed to fulfill this requirement must be in addition to those completed to fulfill the distribution requirement. Students should consult an academic advisor to plan an approved sequence to fulfill the Area of Concentration requirement.
Select one area:
- Art
- Computer
- English as a New Language
- Health
- Language Arts/Humanities
- Mathematics
- Music
- Reading
- Science
- Social Studies
Professional Education (71 credit hours)
The professional component begins early in the student’s educational career. Laboratory/field experiences are initiated as soon as possible and continue throughout the student’s program. This component includes a minimum of a full semester of full-time student teaching in either the first or second semester of the senior year.