Major Requirements for Elementary Education

Note: This page is designed to assist students, faculty, and advisors by providing degree requirements and recommendations in an easy-to-use format. The course catalogue remains the official source of degree requirements -- please report any discrepancies with this page to the department chair.  


A minimum of 13 course credits in Education, which include:

  • Foundations of Education (205)
  • Educational Psychology (215)
  • Exceptional Learner (230)
  • Human Relations (240)
  • Methods of Elementary Mathematics (314)
  • Methods of Elementary Science and Social Studies (317)
  • Methods of Elementary Language Arts and Reading (318)
  • Children's Literature (319)
  • Student Teaching (410, 420,  430 and  440)
  • Senior Seminar in Education (483)
And two of the following courses:
  • Art Methods (ART 371)
  • Elementary Physical Education Methods (KIN 324)
  • Elementary School Music (MUS 301)

Recommended Course Sequence

Years 1 & 2

Year 3

Year 4

EDU 205, 215, 230, 240

Must be completed by end of Year 2 to declare education major

EDU 314, 317, 318, 319

Must be taken in sequence listed

EDU 410, 420, 430, 440, 483

Notes:

 

  • We have also compiled a list of general liberal arts electives that are particularly helpful for education majors who wish to teach at the K-12 level.
  • Additional subject areas required for licensure vary by state.  The requirements for the State of Iowa are listed in the course catalogue, but students should be careful to check the degree requirements of all states they may be considering for relocation.
  • 33 Cornell credits required for elementary education major.


Timeline for Teacher Education Program

In addition to the recommended course sequence, a number of other criteria must be met to progress successfully through the Teacher Education Program. We have outlined the process in a timeline that begins with admission to the Teacher Education Program and ends with licensure to teach.


Second Major or Concentration Recommendation

A second subject matter major is strongly recommended and required by some states, although a four-course (16 semester hours) subject matter concentration is accepted by the State of Iowa and Cornell College. Each student should discuss a second major, an additional six-course license area, or the four-course concentration with her/his advisor. Specialized six-course license areas are offered in history, language arts, science and social studies.

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