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    Mar 29, 2024  
American University Catalog 2019-2020 
    
American University Catalog 2019-2020 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education (BA)


Offered by the School of Education .

Admission to Candidacy in Teacher Education


Undergraduates seeking teacher certification in elementary education should contact an advisor in the School of Education as early as possible. Admission to the university and declaration of a major does not constitute admission to candidacy in teacher education, which is based on academic and related performance criteria.

To be admitted to candidacy, students must earn a passing score (as set by the District of Columbia teacher licensing agency) on the PRAXIS CORE or equivalency exam; earn an average grade of 2.70 or higher in EDU-205 Schools and Society FA4 (3)  and EDU-420 Psychology of Education (3) , pass EDU-321 Field Experience: Observation and Analysis (2) , receive satisfactory recommendations from faculty, and have an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.70 or higher. The Teacher Education Committee reviews student applications. Decisions regarding admission to candidacy are made by this committee based on academic performance and references.

Liberal Arts and Science Requirements for Teacher Certification: Elementary


To qualify for teacher certification, students must have completed all of the requirements from the specific curricular areas listed below. Some requirements may overlap with university requirements. Consult a School of Education  advisor for more information.

Literature: 3 credit hours in addition to WRTG-100   

The Arts: 3 credit hours

Health: 3 credit hours

United States history: 3 credit hours

Social science: 3 credit hours

Biological science: 3 credit hours

Physical science: 3 credit hours

Note: biological or physical science must include a lab.

University Requirements


AU Core Requirements


For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements


  • 68 credit hours with grades of C or better, including 15 to 17 credit hours in a concentration
  • Minimum 2.70 cumulative GPA
  • Completion of Praxis II Exam prior to graduation

Course Requirements


Concentration or Minor (15-17 credit hours)


Complete 15-17 credit hours from one of the following concentrations, or with approval, students may complete a minor in place of the concentration:

Art (15 credit hours)


Biology (17 credit hours)


History (15 credit hours)


Literature (15 credit hours)


Mathematics (17 credit hours)


Calculus I

Complete 4 credit hours from the following:

300-level Mathematics

  • 9 credit hours in three approved MATH courses at or above 300-level

Music (16 credit hours)


Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees


American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Admission to a Combined Bachelor’s / Master’s Program  and Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees  for more information.