Teacher candidates pursue an academic program that includes general education courses, professional education courses, and a concentration program of 120 credits. Candidates complete the general education studies requirement of 48 credits distributed among the following: modes of communication (12 credits), natural sciences and mathematics (9 credits), social studies (9 credits), humanities (9 credits), and personal development and life skills (9 credits). They complete 59 credit hours in professional education studies that include a carefully planned sequence of courses and field experiences that prepare them for effective teaching of specific subject matter content curriculum in the elementary classroom. The teacher candidates must also complete a concentration of 11 credits in a related field, six of which are at the 300 level or above. Elementary majors must complete and approve this concentration of courses selected from the humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, computer science, health, coaching, or any other advisor approved concentration. In addition, candidates can pursue individual academic interests through six credit hours of general electives.
