Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education prepares students for recommendation in the state of Alaska for initial teaching certification in grades K-8. This program is for students in rural Alaskan communities and others who desire the flexibility of a distance program. Students in this program must be self-directed learners, have access to high speed Internet connections, and prepare for a 9-month intensive student teaching experience in their senior year. Students are assessed relative to national and state standards, including National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards, the Alaska Teacher Standards, the Alaska Student Content Standards, the Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools, and the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) Standards.

The degree requirements are interdisciplinary and provide breadth in the content areas necessary for successful teaching at an elementary level and depth in the opportunities to connect theory and practice in a variety of real classroom, school, and community contexts.

The main components of this program include: (1) subject area coursework in UAS General Education Requirements (GERs); (2) additional subject area course-work in those areas important for successful teaching at an elementary level; (3) foundation courses in educa-tion with practical experiences in the schools; and (4) a capstone year-long experience where the professional education courses are integrated with field experiences and student teaching.

To view details of the program, visit the School of Education Website.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be considered for full admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program after completing admission requirements as follows:

  1. Completion of GERs
  2. Minimum GPA of 2.75
  3. Completion of 60 credits (all courses C or higher)
  4. Praxis I exam taken
  5. Mathematics competency (MATH S205 and MATH S206)
  6. Successful completion of writing competency

ADMISSION TO METHODS AND INTERNSHIP (CAPSTONE YEAR)

In addition to the requirements for admission to major status all students entering the senior capstone year are required to have successfully completed the following:

  1. G.P.A. of 2.75
  2. Successful interview with advisor
  3. Satisfactory review of Professional Dispositions Report completed by instructors
  4. Successful completion of all courses with grades of C or better
  5. Fingerprinting and criminal background check
  6. A current resume and letter of introduction to future host teacher and principal
  7. Praxis I exam scores meeting Alaska cut scores
  8. Passing CBEST scores in reading, writing, mathematics may be submitted in lieu of passing Praxis I scores, CBEST qualifying test score 123 or higher total score: no individual score less than 37
  9. One letter of recommendation from someone other than an education professor, who can speak to the student's professional dispositions and potential as a future elementary teacher

EXIT CRITERIA

2.75 GPA, approved portfolio based on the CTE vision and conceptual framework, Alaska State Standards, and national Standards to be completed in the Senior Capstone Year as part of methods courses and student teaching, and successful completion of Praxis II exam - Elementary Content Knowledge 0014 meeting Alaska Certification cut scores.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2009-2010)

Students must complete the general education requirements (GERs) as well as the specific program requirements listed below for a minimum of 128 credit hours. Courses in a degree program may be counted only once. Courses used to fulfill the major requirements cannot be used to fulfill the GERs. Specific recommendations for the GERs in Elementary Education are listed below. Degree must include 48 credit hours of upper-division (300 or above) courses, 24 of which must be completed at UAS.

Minimum Credit Hours 128
General Education Requirements 43
Written Communication Skills
ENGL S111 Methods of Written Communication 3
ENGL S211 Intermediate Composition: Writing About Literature 3
Oral Communication Skills
Select one from the following (3 credits)
COMM S111 Fundamentals of Oral Communication* 3
COMM S235 Small Group Communication & Team Building* 3
COMM S237 Interpersonal Communication* 3
COMM S241 Public Speaking* 3
*Grade C or better
Computational Skills
Select one from the following (4 credits)
MATH S107 College Algebra 4
STAT S107 Survey of Statistics 4
Humanities
ART S100 Visual Art Appreciation and Principles for Educators 3
MUS S100 Music Appreciation and Principles for Educators 3
THR S111 Theatre Appreciation 3
Social Science
GEOG S101 Introduction to Geography 3
GOVT S101 Introduction to American Government 3
PSY S101 Introduction to Psychology 3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
HIST S105 World History I 3
HIST S106 World History II 3
Science
Select one from the following (4-8 credits)
BIOL S103 Biology and Society 4
or both
BIOL S105 Fundamentals of Biology I 4
BIOL S106 Fundamentals of Biology II 4
 
Select one from each of the groups below (7-8 credits):
Physical Sciences
PHYS S102 Survey of Physics I* 4
CHEM S103 Introduction to General Chemistry 4
Earth/Space Sciences
ASTR S225 General Astronomy 3
ENVS S101 Introduction to Environmental Science 4
GEOL S104 Physical Geology 4
GEOL S105 Geological History of Life 3
*MATH S107 or equivalent is prerequisite for PHYS S102
 
Breadth Requirements 29
This area is designed to provide breadth necessary for elementary classroom teaching and depth necessary to respond to NCATE Standards and Alaska Student Content Standards.
Computational Skills
MATH S205 Mathematics for Elem School Teachers I 3
MATH S206 Mathematics for Elem School Teachers II 3
Humanities
PE S100 Health & Fitness 1
PE S__ Physical Education Course 1
___ S__ Advisor-approved upper division English writing or literature course 3
Social Science
PSY S302 Social Psychology 3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
HIST S131 US History I 3
HIST S132 US History II 3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
PSY S245 Child Development 3
PSY S250 Lifespan Development 3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
ALST S300 Alaska Studies 3
GEOG S302 Geography of Alaska: People, Places and Potential 3
HIST S341 History of Alaska 3
___ S__ Advisor-approved elective*  
*Must be Alaska Department of Education approved course for Alaska Studies.
Select one from the following (3 credits):
ANTH S200 Alaska Native Cultures 3
ANTH S202 Cultural Anthropology 3
ANTH S225 Art and Narratives of Alaska Natives 3
Other Skills
___ S__ Advisor-approved elective 4
Major Requirements 54
ED S222 Orientation to the Teaching Profession 3
ED S230 Introduction to Educational Technology 3
ED S302 Foundations of Literacy and Language Development 3
ED S320A Art in the K-8 Curriculum 1
ED S320B Physical Education in the K-8 Curriculum 1
ED S320C Music in the K-8 Curriculum 1
ED S320D Drama in the K-8 Curriculum 1
ED S320E Health in the K-8 Curriculum 1
ED S333 The Learner and the Learning Process 3
ED S380 Multicultural Education 3
ED S416 Teaching Literacy in the K-8 Curriculum 4
ED S417 Teaching Social Studies in the K-8 Curriculum 2
ED S427 Teaching Math in the K-8 Curriculum 3
ED S428 Teaching Science in the K-8 Curriculum 3
ED S448 Elementary Classroom Management in K-8 Classrooms 3
ED S452 Student Teaching 9
ED S460 Integrated Curriculum and Instruction 2
EDSE S482 Inclusive Classrooms for All Children 3
ED S494A Applications of Teaching: Field Work 3
ED S498 Professional Portfolio Preparation 2
Select one from the following (3 credits)
ED S304 Literature for Children and Young Adults 3
ENGL S305 Children's Literature 3

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The UAS Career Services Office provides a current listing of internship opportunities available to UAS students. These internships are funded by Alaskan, federal, national and international organizations and businesses. Changes occur frequently. If you have an interest in internships please contact Career Services for assistance. If admitted to a degree program you can also speak with a faculty member if you are interested in an internship for academic credit.

CONTACT INFORMATION

University of Alaska Southeast
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Ph: 907-796-6100 Ph: 877-465-4827 ext. 6350 (toll free)
Program Website: www.uas.alaska.edu/education
Email: admissions@uas.alaska.edu