B.S. in Elementary Education, with K–6 Teacher Licensure
Elementary education majors at UNC Greensboro combine a rigorous academic program with extensive clinical practice in our partner school sites. Elementary education majors proceed through a series of systematic field experiences in conjunction with their methods courses and weekly seminars. Over a two-year (four semester) period, these juniors and seniors spend ten hours per week in elementary classrooms culminating with full-time student teaching during the fourth semester. Elementary education majors are assigned to an inquiry team of 25 students. Each team has a leader and a full-time assistant. UNC Greensboro faculty and instructors work closely with public school faculty, who we call On-site Teacher Educators (OSTEs) to plan a range of “theory into practice” experiences.
Designed For
Students who wish to pursue an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and earn an initial teaching licensure for grades K-6.
If you want a career in which you laugh, inspire, and build on children’s natural curiosity in science, math, social studies, and literacy…then becoming an elementary teacher may be for you. At the UNCG School of Education, we believe that teachers matter! Elementary teachers tremendously impact the lives of their students. If you want to make a difference for children ages 5-11, if you want to laugh each day, if you want to inspire children to be their best and to use content to engage children in thinking about the possibilities, then our Elementary Education Program might be the right place for you. Do Something Bigger Altogether!
Career Opportunities
The mission of professional education at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is to ensure “Access to Opportunities through Teaching, Learning and Caring.” As interns, our students spend at least 10 hours a week in an assigned elementary school. By the time they graduate and have completed student-teaching, our students will have accumulated more than 1000 hours of classroom experience! Our students know the most current research and practice in schools and are equipped to be leaders in their career. At UNC Greensboro, we have high expectations of our students coupled with a strong support network of supervisors, faculty, and school partners. In addition, our students are encouraged to study abroad and engage in service with diverse groups in order to broaden and develop their experiences and perspectives.
Research Interests
Our program focuses on six areas: leadership, professional knowledge, professional practice, educational environments, data-informed decision making, and professional growth to support the learning of all children in the context of 21st century complexity and dynamic change.
Program of Study
Total hours: 120
Core Courses:
- SES 340: Strategies for Teaching Students with Disabilities in General Education Settings
- TED 320: Language Arts Education
- TED 360: Elementary Social Studies Education
- TED 370: Science Education in the Elementary School
- TED 375: Internship II: Inquiry in Teaching and Learning
- TED 380: Mathematics Education
- TED 400: Internship III: Inquiry in Teaching and Learning
- TED 420: Reading Education
- TED 428: Advanced Methods in the Elementary Grades
Additional Licensure Courses:
- HDF 301: Development of School-Age Children
- ARE 367: Child Art and Teaching; or DCE 345: Dance in Preschool and Elementary Settings; or MUE 361: Music for Preschool and Elementary Teachers; or THR 315: Creative Drama for the Classroom Teacher
- KIN 340: Healthful Living Pedagogy for Elementary School Teaching
- LIS 120: Intro. to Instructional Technology for Educational Settings
Second Academic Concentration Requirement:
All students majoring in Elementary Education are required to complete an approved second academic concentration of at least 18 semester hours in a basic academic discipline or in an approved interdisciplinary studies program, although some departments (e.g., French and Spanish) have a 24 hours requirement. Depending upon the concentration selected, a maximum of six (6) hours may be counted toward the General Education Core requirements as well as toward the concentration. TEHE courses and 10-hour per week required internships for Elementary Education majors are always scheduled on M-W-F. Students should schedule other courses for T-Th only.
Minimum Program Requirements
Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to Teacher Education with a major in the Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education. The School of Education’s Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education reserves the right to refuse admission where additional enrollments would threaten the academic quality of classes or programs. The size of each junior class coming into Elementary Education is determined by the availability of instructors for student practicum and student teaching experiences. Therefore, it may not be possible to assure space for each student who meets the quantitative criteria for admission to the major as specified. Interviews and/or other qualitative criteria will be implemented in such instances. Students must apply for admission by July 1 to be admitted for the fall semester. In addition to admission to teacher education (see School of Education Admissions), a student who seeks admission to the Elementary Education major is expected to achieve:
- A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0;
- A grade of C or better in TED 222, TED 250, and MAT 115;
- Completion of all courses needed to fulfill the General Education Requirements (see Undergraduate Bulletin);
- Satisfactory scores on PRAXIS I (or equivalent); and
- Criminal Background Check completed
- Liability Insurance