Bachelor of Science in Education (Elementary Education)

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Students must meet with an academic advisor to determine current requirements for all degree programs in the School of Education.

Program Requirements

The degree program has several distinct elements:

• A recommended sequence of general-education courses
• A professional education component
• Student teaching or other supervised practicum experience
• Elementary and special education majors will also be required to have either a minor, concentration, or attain dual licensure

General Education

General education refers to courses and other experiences that lay the foundation for IU South Bend’s Teacher Education Program. There is a focus on building skills in written and oral communication, information technology, inquiry, science, literature, quantitative reasoning, and both global and democratic perspectives.

The general-education requirements for elementary education and early childhood education define the strong generalist preparation that is imperative for elementary teachers at the primary and middle childhood levels.

Candidates are encouraged to complete a program of general education by enrolling in courses designated for education majors whenever they are available. The sequence has been planned to provide the strongest foundation in learning and to build the most powerful connections between the content of the individual courses.

Professional Education

The professional education component of the Teacher Education Program develops the knowledge, dispositions, and skills required for entry to the teaching profession. Some courses focus on knowledge, dispositions, and skills that underlie all teacher education regardless of the developmental focus. Other courses and field experiences focus on what it takes to promote effective teaching and learning at a particular developmental level or in a particular school setting. At IU South Bend, the professional education component is not a collection of isolated courses, but rather a carefully articulated program of study. Courses are taken in a prescribed order. Some must be taken in blocks, which is a sequence of coursework.

Student Teaching

The student teaching and the accompanying integrated seminar represent the culminating experience in the Teacher Education Program. By assuming full responsibility for a class of students, candidates demonstrate their achievement of standards, and reflect both on student learning and on their own effectiveness as teachers. Students student teach for 16 weeks depending on their major. Placements are made by the Director of Field and Clinical Practice.

Elementary Minors, Concentrations, and Dual Licensure

Currently, elementary majors who will be licensed under the new REPA guidelines (Spring 2013) will add either concentrations, a minor or prepare for dual licensure. Check with the Office of Education Student Services for specific information. Elementary education majors may also complete the requirements for licenses in English as a new language, mild interventions (special education), and preschool.

Photo credit :: Brad Flickinger via Flickr :: cc