Candidates for certification in Elementary Education – and related concentrations and certification sequences in Early Childhood Education, Special Needs Education, Special Education, Behavior Management and Urban Education – must complete a major that consists of two key elements. The first of these emphasizes critical concepts and ideas important to one’s general education and academic preparation for teaching. The second stresses both the content and process of helping others learn such important subject matter.

Three tracks are available to demonstrate mastery of these two components:

Track One requires successful completion of any other College-approved major program and the series of courses required for Elementary Education. This path leads to a dual major in Elementary Education and in the other major. Because it produces a major in another field along with certification in Elementary Education, this program possibly will require more than the standard eight semesters of baccalaureate work.

Track Two requires successful completion of a specially designed liberal arts major emphasizing content critical to the general education of a person with interest in helping children learn, the series of courses in educational content and pedagogy detailed on the following pages, and any College-approved minor. With careful advising, planning and course selection, this major routinely should be completed during a traditional four-year time period.

Track Three requires successful completion of the same specially designed content major and the same course work in pedagogy as is mentioned above. Additionally, it requires completion of an education-related concentration. Concentrations include: Behavior Management, Early Childhood Education, Special Needs Education and Urban Education. This program also should be completed as part of a four-year, full-time College experience.

Unless otherwise noted, each of the following courses counts for four credits.

Candidates for certification in Elementary Education also must complete the following courses in educational content and pedagogy: Education 105, 150, 210 (2 credits), 241, 250, 258, 272, 282, 325, 335, 346, 365, 470 (12 credits), 490 (one credit) and one elective course in Education (two, three, or four credits).

Candidates for certification in Elementary Education in tracks two or three additionally are required to complete at least one College-approved minor or one or more of the following concentrations.At least eight of the credits required for the concentrations must be taken on the Elizabethtown College campus.

Behavior Management: Education 272, 274, 362, 364 and approved student teaching.

Early Childhood: Education 215, 320, 361, an approved early childhood elective, and 470EC (12 credits).

Special Needs: Education 285, 290, 293 and an approved special needs elective.

Special Education: Cognitive, Behavior, Physical/Health Disabilities, N-12 certification must complete all of the degree and certification requirements of the Elementary Education program and additionally must complete the following courses: Education 285, 290, 293, one special needs elective and Education 470SE (12 credits).

Urban: Education 270 (three credits), 332 (three credits); Sociology 220 or 301; one approved urban education elective (Social Work 160, 280, or 357); and Education 470UE (12 credits).

In completing the above requirements or in addition to these requirements, all candidates for Elementary Education certification must complete two courses in English (one in writing and one in literature) and two courses in mathematics.