Elementary Education PK-6

Program Description

Framed in a Professional Development School model, the Elementary Education - Pre Kindergarten-6th grade initial licensure and M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction program is designed to provide professionals with the specialized knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to meet the educational needs of students attending today's elementary schools. The program is aligned with the college’s five core values of collaboration, ethical leadership, innovation, research-based practice, and social justice. Students begin the program by taking 39 credits of courses that will fulfill the requirements of the state and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). They may attend either the Professional Development Schools (PDS) Year Long cohort for six academic terms, PDS Semester Long cohort for seven academic terms or the accelerated PDS Intensive cohort for five academic terms. Our Professional Development Schools Network supports an inquiry stance to col lective inquiry and research to foster critical thinking and problem-solving among elementary students, parents, inservice teachers, school/division administrators, preservice teachers, and university/school faculty in the 21st century.