Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education

Overview

The elementary education program at WPU is designed by experienced educators who are closely connected to public education in North Carolina, opening up a world of resources and opportunities for you to learn and grow.

If teaching is your calling, you’ve come to the right place. The education major is one of the fastest-growing undergraduate programs at WPU, with tracks in elementary education and a blended elementary/special education program. Here you will dissect the early childhood learning process and examine the future of the elementary classroom and K-12 education.

Our professors will challenge you to explore the latest teaching methods through relevant coursework, extensive practicum and field experiences, and enriching student-teaching opportunities. The learning environment in our education program not only covers all of the content areas needed for future educators but facilitates mentorship and experience that is singular to our program.

Our elementary education degree program has a close partnership with the Wake County Public School System, one of the best school systems in North Carolina and offers students access to great learning environments with extensive resources, valuable professional contacts and student teaching opportunities unavailable at other colleges and universities. Simply put, our students are prepared, connected and ready to make a difference when they graduate and many go on to obtain a master’s degree and end up teaching in higher education themselves.

What are the requirements to become an elementary school teacher?

Elementary teachers have an elementary education degree, competencies in multiple subject areas (e.g. physical education, math methods, educational psychology) learned through core courses, and a teacher certification from your state board of education.

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (BA) – SAMPLE 4-YEAR PLAN

Note to transfer students

To be admitted to the program in the Fall of the Junior year, ALL students must pass Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators. North Carolina requires the following (1) meeting the passing score of 150 for Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics (5733), meeting the passing score of 156 for Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading (5713), and meeting the passing score of 162 for Core Academic Skills for Educators: Writing (5723); or (2) achieving a combined total score of 468.

Take the Praxis Exam

To learn more about enrollment, financial aid, or other admission requirements, request info below.

Learn the skills to become a world-class educator, getting hands-on experience in the classroom with Wake County Public Schools

Courses

We understand that teacher preparation is imperative, so we’ve tailored our education courses to meet the changing demands our students will face in the classroom. The courses listed below are for the Academic Catalog and are subject to change. Please reference the Academic Catalog for further information and course descriptions. If you are a current student, please reference the catalog in which you come under.

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Note to transfer students

To be admitted to the program in the fall of the Junior year, ALL students must pass Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators with a score of: Reading (156), Writing (162) and Math (150) or a cumulative score of (468)

Liberal Education Requirements	49 credit hours
Education Core Courses	61 credit hours
General Electives	10 credit hours
Total Credits for a B.A. in Education with Elementary Licensure	120 credit hours

Education Core Courses	61 credit hours
EDU 120: Foundations of Elementary Math I	3
EDU 201: Early Experiences for Prospective Teachers	3
EDU 210: Instructional Technology	3
EDU 250: Exceptionalities in Education	3
EDU 260: Literature in the Classroom	3
EDU 302: Literacy Methods 1	3
EDU 303: Social Studies Methods	3
EDU 304: Mathematics Methods	3
EDU 305: Science Methods	3
EDU 325: Special Education Methods for General Curriculum	3
EDU 354: Classroom Assessment	3
EDU 360: Literacy Methods II	3
EDU 441: Practicum for Elementary Education	1
EDU 451: Classroom Management in the 21^st Century Classroom	3
EDU 452: 21^st Century Teacher Leadership	3
EDU 480: Senior Seminar	2
EDU 496: Student Teaching	13
PSY 221: Lifespan Development or PSY 310: Child and Adolescent Development	3

Faculty

Amanda Bock, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Special Education; Program Director of Adapted Curriculum Licensure

Robin Vincent, M.Ed.

Associate Professor of Education; Department Chair of Education
Careers
The education major was specifically designed with help from the Wake County Public School System — people who understand what teachers need to know and the skills they need to master. WPU’s program is unique since it is a “blended” program where students earn licensure in both elementary education (K-6) and in Special Education: General Curriculum (K-12). Our students graduate feeling empowered to excel in any classroom and school setting.

Recent employment by education majors:
- CCR Teacher, Wake County Public Schools
- 4^th Grade Teacher, Wake County Public Schools
- Special Education Teacher, Johnston County Public Schools
- 6^th Grade Integrated Language Arts Teacher, St. Mary’s Catholic High School, VA
- Occupational Course of Study Teacher, Wilson County Schools
- ASD Teacher, Osceola County School District
- Exceptional Children’s Resource Teacher, Zeb Vance Elementary School
- 5^th Grade Teacher, Millbrook Elementary Magnet School
Recent graduate school acceptances:
- East Carolina University, Special Education
- Hawaii Pacific University, Social Work