Elementary Education

The K-6 elementary allows you to teach in grades K-6. It can be expanded to include endorsements in middle level of math, science, social studies, or language arts and pre-primary for aged 3-5.

Licensure Requirements
Licensure requirements are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate level. That means classes will include both undergraduate and graduate students, with graduate students having additional course responsibilities. Graduate courses are taken at the 500 level.

All of the following courses must be taken for licensure, and between four and six may also be applied toward the master’s degree in education.

Students in the MAE program complete these courses at the graduate (500) level.

EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education (1.0) *
EDC 206/566 Diversity/Minnesota American Indians (1.0)
EED 225 K-6 Methods: Foundations of Literacy
EDC 310/533 Learning and Development (1.0) *
EED 325/525 K-6 Literacy Methods (1.0)
EED 326 Literacy Field Placement (0.0)* (taken concurrently with EED 325)
EDC 410/544 Special Needs Learner (1.0) *
EDC 490/580 School and Society (1.0)

To complete the license, MAE students also need to complete these courses at the undergraduate level.

HPE 115 Chemical Dependency (.5)
EDC 220 Educational Technology (.5)
EED 311 K-6 Methods: Health (.25)
EED 312 K-6 Methods: Physical Education (.25)
EED 225 K-6 Methods: Foundations of Literacy
EED 336 Advanced Methods in Literacy (.5)
EED 341 K-6 Methods: Visual Arts (.25)
EED 342 K-6 Methods: Music (.25)
EED 350 K-6 Methods: Math (1.0)*
EED 360 K-6 Methods: Science (1.0)
EED 370 K-6 Methods: Social Studies (.5)
EED 380 Kindergarten Methods (.5) *
EED 386 Children’s Literature (.5)
EED 481,483 Student Teaching (2.0)

*Field experience hours are required in these courses. A minimum of 100 hours in classrooms and education-related settings are required prior to student teaching. Students spend approximately 20 hours per term in field experiences.  These hours need to occur during the weekday.

Undergraduate Liberal Arts Requirements
The number of supporting liberal arts courses required for licensure depends upon the courses taken previously as part of the bachelor’s degree. For a full list of requirements, contact the Graduate Admissions Office for a catalog.

Course Descriptions

Also available at the Undergraduate Level.

Full course descriptions can be found in the Graduate Studies Catalog.

HPE 115 Chemical Dependency Education
An analysis of chemical use and abuse and what can be done for the abuser. Includes information about school health education and services.

EDC 200/522 Orientation to Education in an Urban Setting
Career exploration and overview of the teaching profession. Emphasis on historical and philosophical foundations of the American school system. Urban fieldwork experience.

EDC 206/566 Diversity/Minnesota American Indians
This course will examine human diversity and human relations. It will provide an awareness and critical analysis of how prejudice, discrimination, and stereotypes impact us personally, as well as how these elements impact our schools and communities. Also addressed in this course is Minnesota Standard of Effective Practice 3.G: Understand the cultural content, worldview, and concepts that comprise Minnesota-based American Indian tribal government, history, language, and culture.

EDC 220 Educational Technology
Psychological and philosophical dimensions of communication through the use of instructional technology. Selection, preparation, production, and evaluation of effective audio and/or visual technology for teaching/learning situations.

EED 225 Foundations of Literacy
Instruction in and discussion of literacy instruction, development, and assessment. In this course, students will investigate theories, research, and practices involved in K-6 literacy instruction. Students will examine different methods and approaches for teaching literacy in K-6 classrooms, and the knowledge and theory underlying those approaches.

EDC 310/533 Learning and Development in an Educational Setting
A survey of educational psychology topics as applied to teaching and learning. Special emphasis is placed on classroom applications. Fieldwork experience.

EED 311 K-6 Methods: Health
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for health at the kindergarten and elementary levels.

EED 312 K-6 Methods: Physical Education
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for physical education at the kindergarten and elementary levels.

EED 325/525 K-6 Literacy Methods
The study and use of a variety of assessment and teaching techniques and resources for literacy instruction, including the diagnosis and correction of reading difficulties.

EED 326 Literacy Field Experience 
Taken currently with EED 325/525. Students will be given the opportunity to apply the knowledge learned within the context of EED 325/525 to an elementary classroom setting. Over the course of the trimester, students will begin to construct an understanding of literacy education from a teacher’s perspective. Two primary goals for this course are: (1) to understand and analyze school and classroom environments; (2) to understand the interconnections between assessment, instructional planning, and individual learners.

EED 336 Advanced Methods in Literacy 
The study and use of differentiated assessment and instructional methods to meet literacy learning needs of a range of students, including students with learning difficulties and first languages other than English

EED 341 K-6: Methods: Visual Arts
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for visual arts at the kindergarten and elementary levels. (Prereq.: PPST and admission to department)

EED 342 K-6: Methods: Music
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for music at the kindergarten and elementary levels. (Prereq.: PPST and admission to department)

EED 350 K-6 Methods: Mathematics
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for mathematics at the kindergarten and elementary levels. Fieldwork experience.

EED 360 K-6 Methods: Science
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for science at the kindergarten and elementary levels. Fieldwork experience.

EED 370 K-6 Methods: Social Studies/Thematic Studies
Examination and preparation of materials and resources for social studies and thematic teaching at the kindergarten and elementary levels.

EED 380 Kindergarten Methods
Study and use of a variety of techniques and resources for teaching kindergarten. Fieldwork experience.

EDC 410/544 Learners with Special Needs
The study of students with disability, special needs, and giftedness. Emphasis on techniques and resources to help all students achieve maximum outcomes and special focus on needs of urban students. Fieldwork experience.

EDC 490/580 School and Society
Emphasis on points of view about the role of school in modern society, relationships with parents and community, collaborative models, leadership, and professional development. Serves as final theoretical preparation for student teaching.