Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Education: Elementary Education, B.S.


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Program Description


The Elementary Education Program prepares candidates to teach students in grades PreK-6. Drawn from research and theories in child development, teaching and learning, the course work and field experiences prepare teacher candidates to employ a cross-disciplinary approach to instruction that reflects an understanding of the diverse nature of learners and their families.

The JMU Elementary Education Program seeks to foster in its candidates an empathic understanding of the ways that children are affected by social contexts and by the children’s own strengths and needs; the knowledge and pedagogical skills to support each child’s right to success; and belief in the value of each child. Our candidates are guided in:

  • Critically challenging conventional wisdom and common practices to identify hidden assumptions and activities that constrain or privilege some at the expense of others.
  • Learning to ask questions and developing an inquiring approach motivated by the desire to understand the world in its myriad complexities.
  • Reflecting deeply on and constructing positive relationships with others.
  • Expressing knowledge, skills and attitudes in ways that communicate with others and provide a forum for the creative and academic expression of the profession and the self.
  • Developing an appreciation for the global connection of all humanity and our interdependence on the finite natural resources of the earth.
  • Experiencing life among people whose social contexts are unlike the candidates’ own to broaden and deepen respect for and sensitivity to various cultures and social contexts.
  • Knowing and appreciating the process of human unfolding throughout the cycles of life from conception onward, particularly throughout the period of childhood and preadolescence.
  • Valuing the literacies and literate backgrounds of all learners to develop equitable, inclusive instruction that honors diverse learners at all developmental phases.
  • Reflecting critically on the ways we embody and enact a sustainable sense of self.
  • Building on interdisciplinary connections among content areas to create inclusive, responsive and effective instruction for all learners.

The courses in the elementary education program are organized to integrate academic content with pedagogical practice throughout the major. Field experiences are provided along with course work to enable candidates to apply their knowledge in a variety of settings. Candidates must be fully accepted into teacher education to begin the ELED course work in the third year.

Assessment occurs during each semester, and candidate performance is reviewed at the end of each semester. Candidates must demonstrate satisfactory performance before moving on to the next semester. Satisfactory performance includes a minimum grade of “C” in all education course work and an overall 2.5 GPA, demonstration of professional behaviors, and acceptable performance in practica and on key assessments.

Candidates should note that they must be fully admitted to teacher education prior to registering for the courses offered during Year 3 of the elementary education program. Candidates should also note that, on occasion, Virginia Department of Education or other accrediting agencies may change requirements after the catalog copy is approved. Therefore, it is especially important for candidates to confer with their education advisers on a regular basis for the most current requirements. Completion of the Elementary Education major leads to a Virginia teaching license with an endorsement in PK-6 Elementary Education. To be recommended for licensure, all candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete General Education  requirements.
  • Complete the Elementary Education pre-professional program.
  • Complete the disciplinary courses required for the elementary education degree.
  • Meet all admission and retention criteria for teacher education including satisfactory scores on the VCLA, Praxis Core Math, RVE and Praxis Elementary Multiple Subjects tests.
  • Meet admission requirements for the Elementary Education program.
  • Meet performance and behavior standards as indicated by ratings on the program Professional Dispositions Checklist.

Admission Requirements


Students must meet specific requirements to be admitted to programs within the College of Education. These criteria can be found on the College of Education  catalog page.

Degree and Major Requirements


Degree Requirements
Credit Hours
General Education  (includes Pre-Professional requirements) 1
41
Scientific Literacy (in addition to General Education 2
3-4
Quantitative Reasoning (in addition to General Education) 3
3
Major Requirements
65
University Electives 4 (up to)

Total
7-8

120

Footnote


Up to 23 credit hours of pre-professional requirements may also count toward general education requirements.

May be fulfilled through the pre-professional requirements.

MATH 210  fulfills this requirement.

Up to 8 credit hours of electives may be required to achieve the minimum 120 credit hours for graduation.

Pre-professional Requirements: 30 Credit Hours


These courses may fulfill General Education  requirements and/or university electives for this program.

Students majoring in Elementary Education will be required to complete JMU General Education  with additional courses related to Bachelor of Science requirements (Quantitative and Scientific Literacy). Given required VDOE competencies associated with PK-6 teacher licensure, students will be required to enroll in the courses below.

All students are required to take both MATH 110  and MATH 210  to meet VDOE competencies.

Major Requirements


Major Requirements Total: 65 Credit Hours


University Electives: 8 Credit Hours


Recommended Schedule for Majors


Refer to the Program Sequencing Guide & Academic Plan, found at www.jmu.edu/coe/eere/_files/eled-major-sequence. In addition to this guide and planning tool, coordinating your schedule with your academic adviser is strongly recommended.

Total: 15 Credit Hours


First Year - Spring Semester


Total: 15 Credit Hours


Second Year - Fall Semester


Total: 15-16 Credit Hours


Second Year - Spring Semester


  • General Education , degree requirements, or university elective courses Credits: 15.00 

Total: 15 Credit Hours


Third Year - Fall Semester


Total: 13-14 Credit Hours


Total: 16 Credit Hours


Total: 15 Credit Hours


Total: 15 Credit Hours


Program Total: 120 Credit Hours


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