Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Education degree with a major in Elementary Education includes general education courses, courses from specific disciplines, professional education courses, courses for an optional minor or area of concentration, and elective courses. A grade of “C” or better is required in all professional education courses graded on an “A” through “F” letter basis, and a grade of “S” is required in all professional education courses graded on an “S/U” letter basis.
Degree Requirements:
- General Education Courses
- Major Courses
- Optional Minor or Concentration courses
- Elective Courses
Degree available in Bismarck, Williston, DSUlive, and online
Requirements
General Education Requirements for the Major in Elementary Education
For accreditation and licensure requirements the following general education courses are required for a major in Elementary Education:
Communication
Citizenship
Critical and Creative Thinking
Select one course from the following:
| ENGL 220 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 240 | Masterpieces of World Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 260 | Masterpieces of American Literature | 3 |
Select one course from the following:
| HIST 103 | United States To 1877 | 3 |
| HIST 104 | United States Since 1877 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 41 |
Elementary Education Major Courses
Pre-Professional Courses:
Professional Courses in Elementary Methods Block - Fall
| ELED 300 | Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary Curriculum | 3 |
| ELED 390S | Elementary Education Science Methods | 3 |
| ELED 390X | Teaching Mathematics in Elementary and Middle School | 3 |
| ELED 398B | Elementary Methods Block Practicum I | 1 |
| | Or | |
| ELED 398C | Elementary Methods Block Practicum II | 1 |
These courses must be taken concurrently.
Professional Courses in Elementary Methods Block - Spring
| ELED 282 | Teaching Reading Across the Elementary Curriculum | 3 |
| ELED 310 | Elementary Curriculum and Social Studies | 3 |
| ELED 390A | Creative Arts for Elementary Teacher | 3 |
| ELED 390P | Teaching Physical Education and Health in the Elementary School | 1 |
| ELED 398B | Elementary Methods Block Practicum I | 1 |
| | OR | |
| ELED 398C | Elementary Methods Block Practicum II | 1 |
These courses must be taken concurrently.
Additional Professional Courses:
| EDUC 280 | Education of Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| EDUC 300 | Teaching For Diversity | 3 |
| EDUC 350 | Portfolio Preparation | 1 |
| EDUC 360 | Managing the Learning Environment | 3 |
| EDUC 398D | Diversity and Exceptionalities Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 405 | Educational Psychology | 2 |
| EDUC 406 | Instructional Design, Technology and Assessment | 3 |
| ELED 281 | Foundations of Teaching Reading in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| ELED 383 | Diagnosis, Intervention and Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| ELED 484 | Practicum in Reading | 1 |
| MATH 277 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I | 3 |
| MATH 278 | Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 67 |
Pre-Service Teaching Semester (13-15 credits):
Select one (ELED 498K requires prior completion of coursework for early childhood concentration):
| ELED 498A | Teaching in the Elementary School | 13 |
| ELED 498K | Teaching in Elementary and Early Childhood Classrooms | 15 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 80-82 |
All professional courses have a prerequisite of admission to Teacher Education.
Professional Course Electives
| EDUC 305 | Philosophy and Curriculum of Middle School | 2 |
| EDUC 310 | Methods of Teaching in Middle School | 2 |
Minors and Areas of Concentration
In addition to the General Education and major requirements, an Elementary Education major may choose to pursue a minor or an area of concentration. If the minor is in a subject that teachers can be licensed to teach in North Dakota, then it can lead to licensure in combination with an education major. Students should consult with their academic advisors or the department chair to discuss licensure details. Specific requirements for each minor are shown under that department in the catalog.
With the approval of the chair of the School of Education, a student may select coursework for the middle school endorsement in lieu of a minor. The middle school endorsement must be in a content area approved by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board (ESPB). Coursework applicable to the middle school endorsement will be determined in consultation with the academic advisor and the department chair.
A concentration consists of a minimum of 12 hours in one of these areas: natural science, social science, computer science, mathematics, reading, or early childhood. Other options may be available with the approval of the chair of the School of Education. Required courses for the major or those courses used for general studies may not be counted in an area of concentration. Otherwise, coursework for most areas of concentration is decided jointly by the student and his or her academic advisor. Two exceptions are the reading and early childhood concentrations. Those concentrations lead to special state teacher license endorsements or credentials and require particular courses, as described in the next section.
Requirements for the Area of Concentration in Early Childhood Education
A student must be majoring in Elementary Education and be admitted into the Teacher Education Program to take the required courses in the early childhood sequence. Students must complete the entire sequence to be recommended for an early childhood endorsement on a state teaching license.
| EC 310 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| EC 313 | Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EC 323 | Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood | 3 |
| EC 324 | Early Childhood Curriculum, Methods and Materials | 3 |
| ELED 498B | Teaching in the Elementary School: Early Childhood | 7 |
ELED 498B is for students who already have completed ELED 498A - Teaching in the Elementary School (15 credits). Alternately, students may complete ELED 498K - Teaching in Elementary and Early Childhood Classrooms (15 credits) in lieu of ELED 498A and ELED 498B.
Requirements for the Area of Concentration in Reading
A student must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program to take the required courses in the area of concentration in reading. The area of concentration in reading offers the coursework leading to a reading credential for grades K-6. To obtain a reading credential, students make application to the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI) after graduation and attainment of their initial North Dakota teaching license for elementary school.
| ELED 383 | Diagnosis, Intervention and Assessment of Reading | 3 |
| ELED 484 | Practicum in Reading | 1 |
| EC 313 | Language and Literacy in Early Childhood | 3 |
| COMM 211 | Oral Interpretation | 3 |
Select two courses from the following: (6 credits)