Program Overview

Majors: Elementary Education, Secondary Education

We offer a major in elementary education and coursework leading to  secondary certification through our Teacher Education Program. Our program is designed to meet the teacher certification requirements for the State of Iowa in 39 endorsement areas. In addition, our faculty, coursework, and Education Office also assist students in meeting the requirements of other states. 

Students may earn a B.A., Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) or Bachelor of Special Studies (B.S.S.) degree in our program.  See the course catalogue for details.

Careers in education

We prepare students for careers in elementary and secondary teaching, as well as a variety of education-related fields. Our courses are small, interactive, rigorous, and grounded in the liberal arts.

Students who major in education at Cornell become certified as K-12 teachers and are prepared for a wide range of other education-related fields, such as school counseling, coaching, and graduate work in educational policy. All education majors are grounded in the liberal arts, while secondary education majors also major in another field of study.  Studying education in a liberal arts setting is especially important, as the best teachers are those who not only possess a wide breadth of knowledge, but, more importantly, who appreciate learning for learning’s sake.

Our students

Our education majors come from a diverse range of backgrounds – from the student from a small rural school in Iowa, to the student from a large multicultural school in Los Angeles, to the retired army general starting a new career as a teacher.

One Course At A Time

Thanks to our small classes and One Course At A Time schedule, students spend a great deal of time with one another and with their faculty members. The strong interpersonal component of our program allows students to develop their own unique teaching styles and philosophies.

Teacher Education Program

Finally, our Director of Teacher Education and the Education Department faculty will assist students as they prepare for careers as teachers, supervising their student teaching closely and helping students through the job application process. Our students have the opportunity to student teach in our local rural and city schools as well as Chicago or an international placement.