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Elementary Education Major

Become an elementary school teacher

Do you have a passion for teaching and enjoy working with young children? Study elementary education at a university that has set itself up as one of the leading producers of teachers in the region.

As an elementary education major at SBU, you will become certified to teach in elementary school settings (grades 1-6 in Missouri). Coursework and experiences in local school settings will prepare you to meet the needs of young students while being aware of their growth and development.

You can choose to further your career potential by taking additional coursework in early childhood education or a middle school content area, or taking elective courses in other areas of interest such as English as a Second Language (ESL), intercultural studies, Christian ministry, psychology, etc.

The Elementary Education bachelor's degree is offered through SBU's College of Professional Programs.

Earn Your Degree at Any of These Campuses

Bolivar Campus

You’ll find that our Bolivar campus is the perfect place to discover your passions while applying practical skills learned on campus to local classrooms, all with the support of faculty and staff.

Bolivar Campus Information

Salem Campus

Residents of Dent County and surrounding areas can obtain a higher education close to home. Classes are taught in the afternoon, evening, and online, making a degree at SBU-Salem attainable for people who are in the workforce.

Salem Campus Information

Mountain View Campus

Students and faculty in the Howell County area form close connections through small classes with flexible offerings and small group opportunities.

Mountain View Campus Information

The SBU Advantage

100% of SBU's elementary education teacher candidates passed the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) completed during student teaching.
All elementary education majors at SBU are enrolled in "Junior Block" during their junior years, which provides a tight link between methods classes and extensive field experiences.
Engage in field experience opportunities as early as your freshman year and culminating with your student teaching experience your senior year.
Learn from faculty who are experts in their field and come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, including public school, private school and homeschool.
Faculty are dedicated to helping you succeed and will work with you one-on-one to develop your resume, network for jobs, pursue teaching certification in other states, etc.

Faith Integration

The intentional integration of Christian faith with the education curriculum distinguishes SBU's Division of Education. Christian principles are discussed in the classroom and applied to educational strategies, philosophies, and best practices. At SBU, we approach education and teaching from the basis of a Christian worldview.

As an education major at SBU, you'll not only develop your skills as a teacher, but you will also become a role model and a servant leader. You will learn to view the classroom as a mission field in which well-trained Christian teachers are desperately needed.

Our Division of Education faculty live out their own walks with Christ in all they do - in the classroom, with advisees, with fellow faculty and in service to the University, community and their local churches.

Careers

Employers want our graduates and frequently call to request them. Our education alumni have been hired as:

Public school teachers
Private school teachers
Preschool teachers
Daycare center administrators and teachers
International school teachers
Military base teachers
School Counselors
Curriculum directors
Instructional coaches
Librarians
Media Center specialists
Educational trainers
Grade level lead teachers
Principals
Superintendents
Missionaries
Camp ministry leaders
Christian camp recruitment leaders
Children’s ministers

Graduate Schools

An advantage to studying education at SBU is the access to SBU's distinguished master's and doctorate degree programs in education. Many students begin their teaching careers while simultaneously pursuing further education at SBU with one of the following degree programs:

Student Missouri State Teachers Association

As an elementary education major, you are encouraged to join SBU's chapter of Student Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA) to benefit from professional development, insurance, liability coverage, and networking opportunities as you prepare for your future teaching career.

Scholarships

Thanks to generous donors, multiple privately funded scholarships are available annually to anyone pursuing an education degree. Additionally, you are encouraged to apply for any of the various competitive scholarships announced annually by outside organizations, such as the Missouri Association of Rural Education Scholarship ($1,000 awards given statewide annually) or the Jack J. Isgur Foundation Scholarship (approximately thirty-five $3,000 awards statewide annually).

Admission and Certification

Admission to the elementary education and middle school education degree programs at SBU is contingent on a cumulative GPA of 2.75. You must also pass the Paraprofessional (ParaPro) Assessment.

SBU's Division of Education receives program approval on an annual basis from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Program approval is current so SBU graduates are able to apply for and receive teaching certification in Missouri.

Once you have your initial Missouri teaching certificate, you may add other areas of certification by taking and passing the appropriate exam(s). For example, many elementary education majors take the Early Childhood Education exam to add certification for birth through third grade, allowing them to teach in preschools, daycare centers or kindergarten classrooms. Many middle school education majors choose to add additional content area certifications, allowing them to be more marketable for employment.

Many students are interested in becoming certified special education teachers. Both elementary education and middle school education majors will receive the coursework and training helpful to this career path in every education class and with special emphasis in the Teaching Diverse Learners course. You then would be equipped to take and pass the Special Education Certification exam. This would give you greater career flexibility as you would be certified as either an elementary or middle school teacher and as a special education teacher.

Elementary Education Early Childhood Four Year Plan

Elementary Education Literacy Four Year Plan

Elementary Education (with Minor) Four Year Plan

Elementary Education Middle School Language Arts Four Year Plan

Elementary Education Middle School Math Four Year Plan

Elementary Education Middle School Science Four Year Plan

Elementary Education Middle School Social Science Four Year Plan

Discover Core Curriculum