K- 6 Elementary Education (64 credits)

The Elementary Education major at Bemidji State University leads to a bachelor's degree and teacher licensure. Graduates are qualified to teach kindergarten through sixth grade.  Optional add-on 5th - 8th grade middle level endorsements are available. Depending on the endorsement area selected, from preprimary to sixth grade (preprimary endorsement) or from kindergarten to eighth grade (communication arts and literature endorsement, math endorsement, science endorsement, or social studies endorsement).

Students are advised to complete all liberal education courses during their freshman and sophomore years.  Graduation within four years will require close adherence to the specific program of study below.

Admission requirements to the Professional Education program include:  minimum 2.5 GPA, minimum of 30 credits, and proof that you've taken the basic skills tests.

First semester (17 credits)

• ED 3100 Introduction to the Foundations of Public School Education, 3 credits
  
• ED 3110 Educational Psychology, 3 credits
• MATH 1011 Math for Elementary School Teachers I, 3 credits
• ED 3201 Language Arts I, 3 credits
• VSAR 3600 Elementary Art Methods, 2 credits
• MUS 3405 Music in the Elementary Classroom, 2 credits
• PHED 4200 Methods of Teaching Elementary Physical Education, 1 credit

Second semester (17 credits)

• ED 3140 Human Relations in Education, 3 credits
  
• ED 3350 Pedagogy: Planning for Instruction, 3 credits
  
• MATH 1013 Math for Elementary School Teachers II, 3 credits
• ED 3202 Language Arts II, 3 credits
• ED 3301 Creative Expressions, 3 credits
• HLTH 4100 Methods of Teaching Elementary School Health, 2 credits

Third semester (18 credits)

• ED 3750 Adaptation and Management: Designing the Learning Environment, 3 credits
  
• ED 4799 The Professional Teacher, 1 credit
• HLTH 3400 Health and Drugs in Society, 2 credits
• ED 3203 Language Arts III, 3 credits
• ED 3221 Elementary Math Methods, 3 credits
• ED 3222 Elementary Science Methods, 3 credits
• ED 3240 Social Studies in the Elementary School, 3 credits

Fourth semester (12 credits)

• ED 4820 Student Teaching: Elementary, 12 credits
  

Endorsement Areas

• Preprimary, 14 credits
  
• Communication Arts and Literature, 20 credits
  
• Mathematics, 27 credits
  
• Science, 38 credits
  
• Social Studies, 29 credits
  

The Program of Study for K-6 Elementary Education has more information.

Please consult the Bemidji State University Undergraduate Catalog for more information on the Elementary Education major.

Recommended liberal education courses include introductory psychology, music principles, and speech.

Completing the content knowledge and pedagogy exams in teaching methodology are now required for licensure in Minnesota. These exams are usually taken upon completion or near completion of all coursework and student teaching.

Students should see their advisors for assistance with planning coursework. Please note that some courses have prerequisites.