Elementary Education (BA)

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Offered by the School of Education, Teaching and Health , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to Candidacy in Teacher Education

Undergraduates seeking teacher certification in elementary education should contact an advisor in the School of Education, Teaching and Health 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 and EDU-420 Psychology of Education , pass EDU-321 Field Experience: Observation and Analysis , 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 the university General Education requirements. Consult a School of Education, Teaching and Health advisor for more information.

Literature: 3 credit hours in addition to WRTG-102
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

120 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Note: Students must consult with an advisor from the School of Education, Teaching and Health as early as possible to discuss the coordination of General Education requirements with certification requirements.

Major Requirements

74 credit hours with grades of C or better, including 15 to 17 credit hours in a concentration
An overall cumulative grade point average of 2.70 or higher
All students must complete the Praxis II Exam prior to graduation.

Course Requirements

Required

Concentration or Minor

15-17 credit hours in one of the following concentrations in Art, Biology, History, Literature, Mathematics, or Music; or with approval, students may complete a minor in place of the concentration:

Art (15 credit hours)

Required

ARTS-100 Art: The Studio Experience FA1 (3)

One course from the following:

Three courses from the following:

Biology (17 credit hours)

Required

Three courses from the following:

BIO-200 Structure and Function of the Human Body FA5 (3)
BIO-220 The Case for Evolution FA5 (3)
BIO-240 Oceanography FA5 (3)
ENVS-250 Living in the Environment FA5 (3)
BIO 300-level or above course, with advisor’s approval

History (15 credit hours)

Required

One course from the following:

One approved HIST-2xx course (3 credit hours)

One approved HIST-3xx course (3 credit hours)

Literature (15 credit hours)

Required

Two courses from the following:

One course from the following:

One approved LIT-3xx course (3 credit hours)

Mathematics (17 credit hours)

Required

Three approved courses at the 300-level or above

Music (16 credit hours)

Required

PERF-124 Music Theory I (3)
PERF-227 Musicianship I (3)
PERF-111 Class Piano Level I (1)
PERF-114 Class Voice (1)
MUS-122 Private Instrumental or Vocal Study (2) (four semesters for a total of 8 credit hours)

University Honors Program

To graduate with University Honors in the major through the University Honors Program, students must meet the requirements detailed on the Honors website and have been enrolled as either a first-year student between Fall 1989 and Spring 2014, or as a transfer or self-nominated student through Spring 2015. The University Honors Program should not be confused with the AU Honors Program, which begins in Fall 2014 and has separate requirements, also detailed on the Honors website.

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 Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.