B.S. Ed. Elementary Education (extended major)

Click here to view ourTeacher Education Program admissions requirements.

To earn this degree, you must complete at least 120 units of coursework, which we describe in the sections that follow:

• at least 35 units of liberal studies requirements.  Be aware that you may not use courses with an ECI prefix to satisfy these liberal studies requirements.  Contact your department for information about liberal studies courses that are specific to this major.

• at least 60 units of major requirements

• at least 18 units of content emphasis requirements

• elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units

Be aware that some courses required for your degree may have prerequisites that you must also take. Check the courses in the appropriate subject. (You may be able to count these prerequisites toward your liberal studies or general elective credit.)

Please note that you must complete NAU’s diversity requirements by taking two 3-unit courses, one in ethnic diversity and one in global awareness. These courses may be used to meet other requirements within your academic plan if you choose them carefully. Click here for a list of the available diversity courses.

Also note that NAU requires that at least 30 units of the courses you take for your degree must be upper-division courses (those numbered 300 and above).

You should also be aware that you must have a grade point average of at least 2.5 in all of your NAU coursework in order to graduate. This requirement applies to all B.S.Ed. majors at NAU.

Finally, please note that you may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement; however, you must still meet the total of at least 120 units to graduate. Contact your advisor for details.

Also be aware that, for the B.S.Ed. degree, you must have the following:

• a grade of at least B for the English foundation requirement (ENG 105 or equivalent)

(If you don’t receive a 3.0, you may complete an additional writing course, at the 200 level or above, with at least a B, to meet this requirement.)

• a grade of at least C for the mathematics foundation requirement (generally MAT 110, 114, 125, or 155)

Candidates in the B.S. Ed. In Elementary Education program are required to demonstrate content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge and skills, and professional knowledge to be eligible to enter student teaching or internship placements.  Content, pedagogical, and professional knowledge or skills are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the ECI 300, 306, 307, 309/310, 321, 330, EPS 324, and ETC 447, and BME 331 or 430 classes.

Major Requirements

You must take the following 60 units:

• MAT 150 and 155 (6 units)

• EDF 200 (3 units)

• EDF 301W, which meets NAU’s junior writing requirement (3 units) and BME 430, which meets the SEI requirements (3 units)

or

BME 331W (which meets NAU's junior writing requirements and SEI) 3 units

• EPS 324 and ESE 380 (6 units)

• ECI 300, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 321, and 330 (24 units)

• ETC 447 (3 units)

• ECI 490C, which meets NAU’s senior capstone requirement (12 units) or ECI 493C, if content emphasis is ESL or BME (12 units)

• BME 430 (3 units)

If you plan to apply for Arizona teaching certification, you will have to take additional coursework. Contact your department for details.

Content Emphasis

You must complete an 18-unit specialty known as a content emphasis. You work with your education advisor in selecting a content emphasis and determining what requirements apply.

The following content emphases are offered through the various academic departments at NAU. See the appropriate section of this catalog or contact the appropriate department for specific information about each emphasis.

You may earn an Early Childhood Certificate that leads to endorsement certification through the Arizona State Department of Education.  This certificate  requires 21 units of course work and specific student teaching requirements.  Please refer to the Early Childhood Certificate Information.

AEPA Requirement

Please note that you may take as an elective POS 220 (or POS 110 and 241), which satisfies the state and federal constitution requirement for Arizona certification, or you may meet the requirement by demonstrating proficiency on a special exam.

You must pass both the general content knowledge and professional knowledge AEPA tests to become certified in Arizona.

General Electives

Additional coursework is required, if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.  

You may take these remaining courses from any academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you. (Please note that you may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren’t used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.)

Plan Options

As an elementary education major, you may participate in one of three basic plan options, as described in the following paragraphs.

School-Based Programs

You complete your professional courses, which encompass all required major courses and several electives, over two terms. You spend several hours most days working with children in public school classrooms under the supervision of cooperating teachers and NAU faculty members.

Cohort Programs

You complete your professional courses over three terms, taking 9 units of education coursework on campus each term. You also usually take 6 units of liberal studies courses or electives each term. In addition, you work with children in public school classrooms each term under the supervision of cooperating teachers and NAU faculty members.

Traditional Plan

The professional courses on campus are offered in a flexible scheduling format within a recommended sequence. You can complete this plan in two terms, during which you complete at least 45 units of work with children in public school classrooms.

*Please note that you must pass both the content knowledge and professional knowledge sections of the AEPA test to be eligible for certification by the state of Arizona.

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