Elementary Education (B.A.)

Become qualified to teach in kindergarten through eighth-grade classrooms with Southern New Hampshire University’s elementary education program.

Students will gain comprehensive knowledge of instructional theory and practice and a minor in an academic discipline while examining traditional, innovative and research-based approaches to teaching elementary and special needs students.

The program, which leads to teaching certification, culminates in a 16-week student teaching practicum. This valuable experience requires that potential educators work full-time with an established teacher. During this placement, the student teacher gradually takes on the role of the classroom teacher. Students apply to the student teaching program one year before their placement begins. All other fieldwork and course requirements must be complete prior to beginning the student teaching placement. Candidates for New Hampshire state teacher  certification in elementary education must pass the Praxis II before applying to student teaching.

Requirements

B.A./B.S. Core

Elementary Education Major Courses

EDU 200 Introduction to Education
EDU 235 Learning with Technology
EDU 243 Learning Theory and Instruction
EDU 245 Literature for Children and Young Adolescents
EDU 270 Foundations of Teaching and Learning
EDU 335 Methods of Teaching Elementary Mathematics
EDU 361 Emerging and Early Literacy: Developing Reading and Writing in Grades K-4
EDU 362 Literacy in the Content Areas Grades 5-12
EDU 363 Reading Facilitation for All Learners
EDU 371 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (K-4)
EDU 420 Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (4-8)
EDU 440 Differentiating Instruction
EDU 490 Student Teaching and Seminar (12 credits)
SPED 260 Children with Exceptionalities

Allied Courses
PSY 108 Introduction to Psychology*
PSY 211 Human Growth and Development
GEO 200 World Geography*
SCI 211 Survey of the Biological Sciences*
SCI 212 Principles of Physical Science I

One of the following:

HIS 113 United States History I: 1607 to 1865*
HIS 114 United States History II: 1865 to Present*

and

SNHU 100 Pro Seminar
or
SNHU 101 First Year Seminar: Foundations of Critical Thinking

* fulfills B.A./B.S. Core requirement

Content Area Concentration
Completion of a 15-credit area of concentration (must be approved by the department chair).

General Special Education Certification
An elementary education student with a GPA of 3.3 or above may complete additional requirements to earn general special education certification. This certification benefits all classroom teachers by preparing them to meet the needs of special education populations in grade-level and content-area classes. Teachers with dual certification are in very high demand throughout the region. General special education certification also qualifies teachers to work with special needs students at the K-12 levels.

DEV 230 Behavior Theory and Practice
EDU 314 IEP: Consultation & Collaboration
EDU 350 Special Education Assessment
EDU 491 Special Education Student Teaching and Seminar (6 credits)