Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (Independence) Graceland University

Because the World Needs Great Teachers

Graceland’s Elementary Education (BAEd) program at our Independence, Missouri, campus is designed to provide future educators with a flexible path to teaching young minds through a unique curriculum that allows them to complete their degree in two years or less.

Why Graceland?

• Evening classes give our future educators the ability to continue working while they finish their coursework.
• Our cohort model delivers opportunities for collaboration with a community of peers.
• Graceland’s small class sizes provide the opportunity to forge relationships with its nationally recognized instructors, fostering mentors for their success.
• Attend convenient classes two nights a week.

Apply to the Teacher Education Program

In order to be accepted into the Teacher Education program, students must complete the following requirements.

• Apply for admission to the Teacher Education program
• Have a minimum 2.75-grade point average (GPA)
• Submit three professional/faculty references (two from Graceland School of Education faculty)
• The final grade in EDUC1400 (“C” or above)
• “Pass” grade for EDUC1410 Clinical Lab for EDUC1400
• “Pass” grade for EDUC2420 Entry Workshop
• Complete a graduation plan

When you have completed the acceptance requirements above, your name will automatically go before the Teacher Education Committee at their next regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The Teacher Education Committee will review your file and determine final acceptance into the Teacher Education Program. You will receive a letter informing you of your acceptance status.

The application process to the school of education is separate from the Graceland University acceptance process. Students will already be enrolled in Graceland coursework when they apply to the school of education.

Admission to Student Teaching

Candidates seeking admission to Student Teaching are required to complete the following prior to March 1 of the year prior to when student teaching is to begin. Applicants must have:

• been admitted to the Teacher Education Program,
• completed required Education courses with e-portfolio assessed,
• maintained a 2.75 cumulative GPA,
• earned a “C” or higher grade in all required Education classes,
• completed a successful practicum or internship,
• removed incomplete grades in required Education courses or other courses. If completion of an incomplete grade is pending, submit a plan for completion before participation in student teaching.

Teacher Licensure

At the close of their final semester, students normally apply to the state for licensure. Teaching certificates are then issued by Iowa to applicants who meet the necessary requirements. When planning to teach in a state other than Iowa, students will plan their programs in accordance with the requirements of the other state. They will in turn be recommended by the university for those certificates for which they qualify.

In addition to the general education requirements, majors in Elementary Education must complete the Education requirements and one approved concentration:

Education Requirements:

• SCIE1200 Integrated Science with Lab – 4
• Science elective 2-4
• ENGL1100 Composition I: Introduction to Writing Skills or HONR1010 Honors 101 – 3
• COMM1100 Foundations of Public Speaking or HONR2010 Honors 201 – 3
• MATH1310 Mathematical Concepts – 3
• *Mathematics elective (MATH1360 Statistics for Critical Thinking recommended) – 3
• HIST1320 World Civilizations II or HIST2420 U.S. History since 1877 – 3
• POLS1300 United States Government or an approved United States Government with civic literacy class – 3
• EDUC1300 Introduction to Education – 3 or a School of Education approved Introduction to Education course and EDUC1410 Clinical Experience Lab – 1
• EDUC2120 Human Relations – 3
• EDUC2300 Children’s and Adolescent Literature in Elementary Education – 3
• EDUC2420 Teacher Education Entry Workshop – 0
• EDUC3300 Foundations of Literacy Instruction – 3
• EDUC3475 Social Studies Methods and Content Reading Strategies – 3
• EDUC3481 Language Arts, Reading, and Writing Methods – 3
• EDUC3511 Science Methods for Elementary Educators – 3
• EDUC3530 Math Methods for Elementary Educators – 3
• EDUC3540 Elementary Education Methods Lab – 1
• EDUC3580 Education of Exceptional Children and Adults – 3
• EDUC3590 Educational Psychology and Measurement – 3
• EDUC3710 K-6 Elementary Education Practicum (may be met by electing EDUC3280, EDUC3290, EDUC3330, or EDUC3450).
• Students with concentrations in Art, Music, or Physical Education must conduct the internship in the appropriate subject area – 1-2
• EDUC4250 Professional Practice Seminar – 3
• ** EDUC4400 Elementary Student Teaching – 14
• PSYC2250 Developmental Psychology – 3
• EDUC2500 Teaching PK/Elementary Physical Education, Health/Wellness, Visual and Performance Arts – 1-3 or

Methods courses in

• Elementary Physical Education
• Health/Wellness
• Visual Arts
• Performance Arts (Music or Creative Drama)

EDUC4380 Capstone Seminar – 0

*A Computer Science course will not meet the mathematics elective.

**Students with majors in Elementary Education and another teaching discipline who are seeking endorsements at both the elementary and secondary levels should substitute EDUC4450 Combination Student Teaching. Students with a concentration in K-8 Mild/Moderate Special Education should substitute EDUC4460 Elementary and Mild/Moderate Student Teaching.