May 01, 2024  
2010-2011 Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education (with and without initial teaching license), BA or BS


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Entering freshmen at SOU have an opportunity to explore their interests and prepare for the elementary education program during their freshman and sophomore years while fulfilling the University Studies (general education) requirements. General education and elective course selection in the first 90 credit hours will vary by students’ needs and backgrounds. Certain upper division courses in the field are restricted to majors. Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor in the School of Education early in their freshman year.

Students should declare an elementary education major at the end of their sophomore or beginning of their junior year. Students seeking the BA/BS degree along with an initial teaching license must apply and be formally admitted to the licensure track. Applications for licensure coursework are usually submitted by the first week of spring term in the junior year. Admission to this track is competitive. The School of Education notifies students of its decision after reviewing applications. Information about the application process and criteria for admittance is available from individual advisors, from the School of Education website, and from the office coordinator.

The undergraduate Elementary Education program has strong partnerhsips and articulation agreements with RCC and other state and regional community colleges. Community college transfer students who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree in elementary education may apply their previous credits upon acceptance at SOU. Transfer students should seek early advisement in SOU’s School of Education to learn more regarding application and admittance procedures to the education degree and licensure program.

Majors in elementary education take upper division coursework in their junior and senior years that includes teacher preparation requirements, including content knowledge, pedagogy, and field experiences. The coursework focuses on understanding children in unique stages of development and learning, children and families from diverse backgrounds, multidisciplinary content knowledge and pedagogy, and field experiences in multiple, diverse settings.

Requirements for the Major


 (Credits shown are SOU credits. Transfer credits may vary.)

1.


Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements.

2.


Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 prior to admission to the Elementary Education (EE) major.  Students see a School of Education advisor to declare an EE major prior to the beginning of their junior year.

3.


Students must achieve grades of C- or above in all required prerequisite courses taken for the EE major. 

4.


Once admitted to the major, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all coursework for the major.

5.


Course requirements are different in the junior and senor year for students seeking a degree with an initial teaching license and those seeking a degree without a license.  (See Pedagogy and Field Experience requiremetns for licensure and non-licensure.)

6.


Students in the licensure track must receive a passing score on a basic skills test, either the California Basic Skills Test (CBEST) or the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) before beginning the final year of the program.

Content Knowledge/University Studies (75–79 credits):


The University Studies (general education) requirements are the same for the students in the program as for all undergraduate students at SOU. However, some courses are highly recommended or required for teacher licensure content preparation. Students are expected to see their academic advisor for suggested Explorations and Integration courses.

Pre-license/Education Elective Options (36 credits):


Choose at least 33 credits from any combination of courses in the three areas listed below, or other courses as approved by advisor.

Pedagogy Strand (Major with licensure) (approximately 42 credits)


The following courses are required for the elementary education major and for the Oregon Initial Teaching License.

Field Experience Strand (Major with licensure) (23 credits)


Licensure requirements are subject to change according to policy set by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission. 

This strand provides a variety of field-based experiences required for both the major and for Oregon licensure. These include both practicum courses and student teaching. ED 209, 309 are used for multiple practica experiences in diverse settings, including Head Start, community early childhood programs, ESOL/bilingual settings, special education, Resource Room, reading/math programs, or age/grade level experiences (one primary K–3, one upper elementary 4–6) over time (30 hours each credit in a minimum of five different settings). ED 411, 416, 417, and 418 form the core of the student teaching experiences.

Pedagogy and Field Experience Strands (Major without licensure)


The pedagogy and field experience strands are different in the junior and senior year for students seeking an elementary education degree without the initial teaching license.

Junior year coursework is virtually the same for both licensure and degree-only tracks. Students planning a non-licensure, degree-only course of study at the start of their junior year may, with coordinator or chair approval, substitute certain methods courses (up to three) for relevant alternatives given individual goals.

Senior year coursework does not include student teaching for degree-only majors.

Courses and electives


 Courses and electives

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