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The Education Major & Certifications

Elementary Education Certification, Grades 1-6

Students who intend to teach in an elementary school major in the Education Department. A concurrent major or minor in another field is required and should be planned with the chair of the Education Department, in consultation with the chair of the other department.

Courses required for a major in elementary education include 45 credits in the department, as follows:

  • ED 101
  • ED 207
  • ED 210
  • ED 221
  • ED 222
  • ED 241 (January)
  • ED 243
  • ED 244, 245, and 342*
  • ED 246 (January)
  • SPE 100

ED 210, ED 222, ENG 226, and SPE 320 fulfill the writing proficiency in the major requirement.

ED 222 is a prerequisite for ED 241, 244, 245, 342 and must be taken in the junior year. Successful completion of Praxis I is a prerequisite for ED 342.

Academic courses in the following content areas:

  • Literature, English composition, art (ART 102 recommended), music, U.S. history, world history, social sciences (two courses in fields outside education), natural science (two courses other than psychology or cognitive science; one course must be a four-credit laboratory course), MA 110, MA 113
  • A course in a non-Western culture

Recommended courses:

  • SPE 320
  • SPE 327

*A minimum grade of B- in ED 342 and satisfactory completion of Praxis II are required to complete the certification program.

Elementary Dance Education Certification, Grades 1-6 and Middle School

Students must double-major in elementary education and dance, including the following courses:

  • DAN 190(103)
  • DAN 293(215)
  • DAN 260 (252)
  • DAN 393(360)
  • DAN 140, 141, or 146
  • DAN 191(230)
  • DAN 291(235)
  • DAN 261(253)
  • DAN 294 (116)
  • DAN 390
  • DAN 231(196)
  • DAN 250, 251, or 255
  • DAN 298(265)
  • DAN 362(254)
  • Two credit hours of dance technique, including DAN 311(205) and 321(210)

Secondary Education Certification, Grades 7 through 12

Students desiring certification in secondary schools should consult with the chair of the Education Department during their freshman or sophomore year to ensure the timely completion of requirements. See list below for programs available that lead to certification at the secondary school level. Requirements include:

Major in the academic department appropriate to area of certification. Courses identified for specific area of certification. (See list below.)

Courses in education:

  • ED 103 (for four credits)
  • ED 210
  • ED 254
  • ED 207 (for four credits)
  • ED 253 (not required for certification in dance)
  • ED 353** (taken in senior year concurrently with ED 253)
  • SPE 100

**Prerequisites for ED 353 include a recommendation from major department and successful completion of Praxis I.

A minimum grade of B- in ED 353 and satisfactory completion of Praxis II are required to complete the certification program.

One academic course in each of the following: U.S. history, mathematics (or placement in MA 170), and non-Western culture. For example:

  • ANT 107
  • ANT 255
  • DAN 190(103)
  • FR 351
  • HIS 113
  • HIS 286
  • PSC 259
  • SOC 106
  • WL 230

Writing proficiency requirement completed through the major.

Art
Requirements include a major in art with concentration in studio art and required courses in education.

Biological Sciences
Requirements include a major in biological sciences and required courses in education.

Chemistry Certification
Requirements include a major in chemistry and required courses in education.

Dance Certification
Requirements include a major in dance with a performance concentration and required courses in education.

English Certification
Requirements include a major in English, with a concentration in literature, and required courses in education.

French Certification
Requirements include a major in French and required courses in education.

History Certification
Requirements include a major in history and required courses in education.

Mathematics Certification
Requirements include a major in mathematics and required courses in education.

Russian Certification
Requirements include a major in Russian and required courses in education.

Social Studies Certification
Requirements include a major in history and required courses in education.

  • ANT 107
  • EC 101
  • EC 102
  • PSC elective (PSC 205 strongly recommended)
  • SOC 228, 250, or 260
  • PSC 113 or PSC 114

Spanish Certification
Requirements include a major in Spanish and required courses in education.