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Elementary Education, M.Ed.

degree requirements

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A minimum of 35 semester hours of course credit are required for the degree of which at least 9 hours must be at the "500" level. Independent Study Courses and any 597 or 598 courses do not count towards the required 9 hours of 500 level coursework for the M.Ed.

Core Curriculum (12 semester hours):
  • CIE 411: Creating Learning Environments in the Elementary School (3 hours) - this course is offered in Fall term only and is to be taken in the first year of study.
  • CIE 412: Dynamics of Learning Environments in the Elementary School (3 hours) - this course is offered in Spring term only and is to be taken in the first year of study. Those pursuing the ESL/Bilingual approval may substitute a Bilingual/ESL course for CIE 412.
  • Philosophy or History of Education (Ed 402 or 403 - 3 hours)
  • Educational or Developmental Psychology (ED 421 or 422 - 3 hours).
B. Area of Concentration (23 semester hours):
  • Foundations of K-8 Literacy Instruction (CIE 413 - 4 hours) - includes 15 hours of clinical experience hours which will require availability during the school day.
  • A second reading course chosen from CIE 464 or CIE 505 - 4 hours.
  • Literature, Social Studies, and the Arts in the Elementary School (CIE 410 - 4 hours) - includes 30 clinical experience hours which will require availability during the day.
  • Teaching and Learning Mathematics in the Elementary School (CIE 507 - 4 hours) - includes 30 clinical experience hours which will require availability during the day.
  • Teaching and Learning Science in the Elementary School (CIE 508 - 4 hours) - includes 30 clinical experience hours which will require availability during the school day.
  • Survey of Characteristics of Exceptional Children (SpEd 410 - 3 hours) - includes 30 clinical experience hours which will require availability during the school day.
C. Additional Hours Required for Certification:
  • CIE 511 and CIE 512 (12 hours total): Student Teaching I and II

More courses may be required if you have any missing requirements needed for State certification or if you decide to pursue additional credentials. After you have been admitted you will need to complete paperwork with the Council on Teacher Education to get your transcripts evaluated for missing courses.

If you would like to print the advising guide for the new Elementary program, please click here.

NOTE: Courses are offered in the evenings. However, clinical experiences, as well as the entire semester of student teaching requires availability during the day.