Elementary Education (BA)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Offered by the School of Education , the undergraduate program in Elementary Education is designed for students who wish to obtain teaching credentials in elementary education. The major in elementary education offers a licensure specialization that meets certification requirements in the District of Columbia and establishes eligibility for certification in over 40 states. The major in elementary education also offers a non-licensure specialization. Students should consult with the director of Teacher Education to coordinate their general and subject-area certification requirements with other university and major requirements.

Admission to the Program

Formal admission to the program requires a grade point average of 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale) and departmental approval.

Requirements for Teacher Certification: Elementary

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

United States History: 3 credit hours

University Requirements

120 credit hours with minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 2 )
Completion of all requirements for a major (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 9 )

AU Core Requirements

Completion of AU Core foundation requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.2-8.6 )
Completion of AU Core Habits of Mind requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.7 )
Completion of AU Core integrative course requirements (Undergraduate Academic Regulation 8.8-8.11 )

For additional information, see AU Core Curriculum .

Major Requirements

62 credit hours with grades of C or better, including at least 18 credit hours at or above 300-level
Minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA
Licensure Specialization: Completion of Praxis Content Knowledge Exam prior to graduation
Specializations: Licensure; Non-licensure

Course Requirements

Required (44 credit hours)

Foundations of Special Education (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from the following:

Practicum (3 credit hours)

EDU-498 Practicum Field Experience with Seminar (3)

Specialization (12 credit hours)

Complete 12 credit hours from one of the following specializations:

Licensure

Capstone (12 credit hours)

EDU-499 Student Teaching Seminar in Professional Practice (12)

Non-Licensure

Electives (9 credit hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from the following, or other education-focused course approved by School of Education advisor:

Capstone (3 credit hours)

EDU-438 Social Movements and Education Change (3)

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.