Elementary Education (K–6) & Teacher of Students with Disabilities (with optional Middle School and ESL endorsements)
This program prepares candidates to provide instruction in all subjects in general, inclusive, and/or special education settings in kindergarten through Grade 6. Candidates must earn a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in a content major to be eligible for a New Jersey certification in Elementary Education (K–6) and a Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) endorsement.
Teacher candidates matriculated in the K-6 TOSD education program have the option of earning additional middle school endorsement(s) enabling them to become certified middle school teachers in the State of NJ:
- Language Arts/Literacy: (requires Praxis II Middle Level Language Arts/Literacy: Test Code 1106)
- Mathematics: (requires Praxis II Middle Level Mathematics: Test Code 5164)
- Science: (requires Praxis II Middle Level Science: Test Code 5442)
- Social Studies: (requires Praxis II Middle Level Social Studies: Test Code 1104)
Exit requirements for each endorsement include 15 credits in the subject area (see advisor for appropriate courses; Basic Skills courses do not count), passing score on required Praxis II Middle Level Test, and a grade or B or above in PS221 Child & Adolescent Development (or another course in Characteristics of Child and Early Adolescent Development).
Candidates may also earn an optional ESL endorsement by completing additional requirements.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
Requirements include:
- Completion of prerequisite course; Child and Adolescent Development (3 credits);
- Completion of all IMPACT General Education program requirements;
- Completion of a 30-credit major in biology, chemistry, English, history, interdisciplinary studies, mathematics, natural sciences, psychology, or visual art;
- Completion of the 39-credit Professional Coursework in Elementary Education plus the 3-credit course, Child and Adolescent Development for 42-credits total;
- Passing score on the Elementary Education Praxis II exam (Multiple Subjects);
- Passing scores on the three in-house GCU exams: Physiology and Hygiene (P&H); Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB); Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (CARE);
- Satisfactory ratings in clinical practice, including recommendation for certification; and
- Maintenance of a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 is required to remain in the program (note: students with grade point averages between 2.75 and 2.99 may qualify to be in the Limited CEAS Pilot Program and should speak to their Advisor about this possibility).
- For requirements for optional Middle School Endorsement, see prior Introduction/Overview section.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Professional Education Courses in Elementary Education 1 | ||
ED3110 | Ethics & Foundations of American Ed | 3.0 |
SPE3030 | Foundations of Special Education | 3.0 |
ED3130 | Essentials of Instruct. for Elem & Secon | 3.0 |
ED3242 | Foundational Literacy Instruction | 3.0 |
SPE3032 | Assessment in Special Education | 3.0 |
ED3209 | Math Instruct. in EC & ELEM Ed | 3.0 |
ED3222 | Lit Integ in EC & Elem Social St | 3.0 |
ED3306 | Assess & Remediate Math Diffic | 3.0 |
SPE3031 | Literacy & Curriculum Planning | 3.0 |
ED4309 | Educ. Ref. and Eff. Prac. Ele. & Sec. | 3.0 |
ED4304 | ELEM Ed Clinical Practice | 9.0 |
Total Credits | 39.0 |
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Praxis Tests Elementary Teacher candidates are required to pass the applicable Praxis II test prior to part-time clinical practice: Elementary Education Multiple Subjects. For fall clinical practice, passing scores must be submitted by July 15; for spring clinical practice, they must be submitted by December 15.
Additional Requirements for Optional ESL Endorsement
In addition to completing the courses listed below, students must earn a passing score on oral (OPI) and written English proficiency (WPT) examinations by the end of the program.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses for Optional ESL Endorsement | ||
BE3021 | Second Language Acquisition | 3.0 |
BE3026 | Phonology & Structure of American Eng | 3.0 |
BE3101 | HisCultBackgroundELL | 3.0 |
BE3102 | Theo Prac Methods Teach ESL Thr Content | 3.0 |
BE3204 | Dev Lit Skills for Sec Lang Learners | 3.0 |
Total Credits | 15.0 |
Degree maps are meant to illustrate a typical sequence of courses. However, actual recommended sequences of non-education courses will vary based on the student's liberal arts major, so students should confer with their academic advisor when planning a course of study and before registering for courses.
Four-Year Elementary Education (No MAT)
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Credits | |
GEN101 | Pathway to the Bridge 1 | 2.0 |
EN111 or EN221 |
Academic Writing and Research I 1 or Honors Argument: Rhetoric & Research |
3.0 |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
GE: Critical Reading and Analysis (Recommended: EN245 Writing About Television, or HST110 U.S.History Survey I) 1 | 3.0 | |
Credits | 14.0 | |
Spring Semester | ||
GEN199 | WI:Discovering Self in the Universe | 3.0 |
PS221 | Child & Adolescent Development (this is a GE Understanding Human Behavior & Social Systems course) 1 | 3.0 |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
GE: Math Reasoning (Recommended: PS232 Intro to Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences) 1 | 3.0 | |
Credits | 15.0 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
GE: Scientific Thinking (Recommended: PH111 Physics in Everyday Life I, or PH112 Physics in Everyday Life II) 1 | 3.0 | |
GE: Understanding Human Behavior & Social Systems (Recommended: EC180 Contemporary Economics, or CM302 Mass Media & Social Issues, or SW305 Human Behavior & Social Environment I) 1 | 3.0 | |
Credits | 15.0 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ED3110 | Ethics & Foundations of American Ed | 3.0 |
SPE3030 | Foundations of Special Education | 3.0 |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
GE: Religious Studies 1 | 3.0 | |
Credits | 15.0 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ED3130 | Essentials of Instruct. for Elem & Secon | 3.0 |
ED3242 | Foundational Literacy Instruction | 3.0 |
SPE3032 | Assessment in Special Education | 3.0 |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
GE: Creative Thinking & Expression (Recommended: AR111 Drawing I, or AR313 Painting I, or AR422 Creative Photography I, or CM200 VIsual Communication 1 | 3.0 | |
Credits | 18.0 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ED3209 | Math Instruct. in EC & ELEM Ed | 3.0 |
ED3222 | Lit Integ in EC & Elem Social St | 3.0 |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | ||
GE: Ethics (Recommended: RS336 Social Justice Ethics) 1 | 3.0 | |
GE: Power & Society (Recommended: GPS311 Gender, Power & Society: Voice of Change, or SW253 Human Rights & Social Justice) 1 | 3.0 | |
Credits | 15.0 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall Semester | ||
ED3306 | Assess & Remediate Math Diffic | 3.0 |
SPE3031 | Literacy & Curriculum Planning | 3.0 |
Course Required for Major (or Elective) | 3.0 | |
GE: GEN400 Visioning a Future 1 | 3.0 | |
GE: Intercultural Understanding & Communication (Recommended: CM105 Public Speaking) 1 | 3.0 | |
Elective (Recommended: PS333 Introduction to Applied Behavior Analysis) | 3.0 | |
Credits | 18.0 | |
Spring Semester | ||
ED4304 | ELEM Ed Clinical Practice | 9.0 |
ED4309 | Educ. Ref. and Eff. Prac. Ele. & Sec. | 3.0 |
No other courses are allowed to be taken with the full-time internship and seminar | ||
Credits | 12.0 | |
Total Credits | 122.0 |
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IMPACT General Education course.