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Elementary Education

Earn an elementary education credential that meets state and national standards. Classes for all programs are available online, allowing students to complete elementary education programs from their home communities. Upon completion, UAS provides an institutional recommendation to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, the department responsible for granting teaching certifications.

Important Deadlines

What's my degree pathway?

Initial Teaching Certificate

For Students Without an Undergraduate Degree

  • We suggest the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at the University of Alaska Southeast.

For Students With an Undergraduate Degree

  • We suggest the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary Education at the University of Alaska Southeast for those who want a Master's degree in addition to a teaching certificate.*
  • We suggest the Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education for those that only want a teaching certificate and do not want a Master's degree.

*The Graduate Certificate is embedded within the MAT program and initial teaching licensure occurs at the same point in both programs. The MAT program requires two additional courses after initial teaching licensure has occurred.


Advanced Teaching Certificate

For Students Who are Certificated Teachers

  • We suggest the K-8 Education Endorsement Area at the University of Alaska Southeast for those who want to add an elementary education endorsement to their teaching certificate. Please see the K-8 Education Endorsement page for more information.

FAQs

Although some of these classes are solely taught through e-learning, due to mandatory supervision requirements these programs are currently only available to candidates who live in Alaska. Candidates living outside Alaska are welcome to apply to this program, but should understand that this program is specifically designed to train teachers for the unique teaching conditions of various Alaskan communities and that applicants will need to reside in Alaska to complete the program.

Courses are delivered via audio conference, DVD, computer conferencing, and correspondence. Students should be familiar with using email, the Internet, computer conferencing, and should have fax access.

Candidates in this program must be self-directed learners, must have access to high speed Internet connections.

Each program has specific deadlines. Contact your advisor for instructions.

Practicum classes require regular work in the classroom and are supervised by local teachers who volunteer their time. During practicum experiences, we expect our candidates to make a genuine and positive contribution to the local school. The final semester of full-time student teaching and the preparation of a teaching portfolio will allow you to demonstrate that you have met the Alaska Teacher Standards.

Course requirements are available through the catalog for these programs:

An Interested Persons Report (IPR) is necessary to submit to the School of Education at UAS before beginning graduate practicum coursework (please submit the report to uas.education@alaska.edu). See below for semester deadlines on submission. This is required for working with students in public schools. It is a basic background check of your criminal history that you should be able to request from your local law enforcement agency (see a list of locations linked below). If there is not a local law enforcement agency in your area, please contact your advisor for information on how to acquire this necessary report. 

For fall semester practicum courses, this report should be submitted no later than August 20th. For spring semester practicum courses, this report should be submitted no later than January 10th. This report is only valid for one year after it has been generated and will need to be renewed if it expires while you are still completing practicum coursework.

List of walk-in locations for IPRs: https://dps.alaska.gov/Statewide/R-I/Background/WalkIn.

Admissions Requirements

Need Assistance?

Do not hesitate to contact the Student Services Assistant with any questions about the application materials of the application process.

B.A., Elementary Education

The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education K-8 is available 100% by distance, including student teaching.  Students can complete the entire program in their home community or in any Alaska community of choice.  Students located in Juneau or near another UA campus have the option of taking their GERs face-to-face.  The education (ED) courses are online interactive (Zoom/other formats).  The BA Elementary Education program offers intensive and personalized advising. 

M.A.T., Elementary Education & Graduate Certificate

Before you begin

Please consult with Beth Hartley, Program Coordinator, before beginning your application.

Complete and Submit the following

Send all of these items to:

UAS Admissions
11066 Auke Lake Way
Juneau, AK 99801-8671

Handbooks and Resources

Program Contacts

Elizabeth A. Hartley, Ph.D.

Elizabeth A. Hartley, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Education and Program Coordinator: Elementary Education MAT, K-8 Graduate Certificate and Endorsement

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Jeffrey Lofthus, Ph.D.

Jeffrey Lofthus, Ph.D.

Professor of Education

Professor Lofthus serves as the Coordinator of the Distance Bachelor of Arts Elementary Education Program, teaching classes and supervising student teachers.

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Kelsey Walsh (she/her)

Kelsey Walsh

Academic Advisor

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Elisabeth Genaux

Elisabeth Genaux

Student Services Assistant

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Delores Graver

Delores Graver

Program Assistant

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