Mar 28, 2024  
2015-16 Catalog 
    
2015-16 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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


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 partnerships 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. 

Students interested in teaching elementary general music can consider completing a double major in Elementary Education and in Music (with a concentration in Elementary General Music).  For more information about this program, see the Elementary General Music Concentration for the Music degree.

Requirements for the Major


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

1.


Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements.

2.


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

3.


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.

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 senior year for students seeking a degree with an initial teaching license and those seeking a degree without a license.  (See Pedagogy and Field Experience requirements for licensure and non-licensure.)

6.


Students in the licensure track must receive a passing score on a basic skills test before being admitted to the licensure track. Students may choose the Essential Academic Skills Test (EAST), the California Basic Skills Test (CBEST), or the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST). The NES Elementary Education Test (subtests I and II) and the Civil Rights tests must be passed to receive a teaching license.

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 (33 credits):


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

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 Strand (Degree Track without licensure)


Coursework for students seeking an Elementary Education bachelor’s degree without the initial teaching license does not include student teaching. Although the Junior year coursework is the same for all E.E. majors, the Senior year coursework is different. Students planning to pursue the Degree Track at the beginning of their Junior year may, with coordinator or chair approval, substitute certain courses (up to three) for relevant alternatives given individual goals.

Field Experiences Strand (Degree Track without licensure)


  • Practica experiences for a minimum of 2 required credits can be fulfilled using ED 209  or ED 253  (Southern Oregon Learn and Serve (SOULS)
  • Advanced practica experiences for a minimum of 3 required credits can be fulfiled using ED 309  or ED 453  (Southern Oregon Learn and Serve (SOULS)

Elementary Education with Honors, BA or BS


Adding Honors in Elementary Education


There are two different tracks in the elementary Education major, the Licensure track and the Degree track, both of which offer Honors in the Major.  Students who have high scholastic performance as demonstrated through a GPA of 3.5 or higher are invited to apply for honors in the major.  Students should submit their application and essay to the School of Education early enough to register for the necessary honors courses. Graduation with honors requires completing all the coursework for the Elementary Education major; however, honors students will register for 12 upper division credits from honors courses selected from the lists below.  They will be attending the same classes as other Elementary Education majors although the course numbers will be different.

Honors students will choose 12 credits of honors coursework (see below), complete an enhanced professional portfolio/capstone project, and maintain a GPA of 3.5.

1.


In their Phase II year or early in their Phase III year, students must successfully petition the School of Education for admission to the elementary education honors program.

2.


Honors students will choose 12 credits of honors coursework (see below), complete an enhanced professional portfolio/capstone, and maintain a GPA of 3.5. These courses are restricted to students in the Elementary Education with Honors program.

3.


Students will create an enhanced Professional Portfolio which demonstrates independence of mind and judgment; capacity to design and execute a complex project; advanced research skills; and skills of analysis and synthesis, including clear written communication.

4.


Education Honors students must maintain a 3.5 GPA.