Dec 22, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Elementary Education Certification Only (K-6)


Program: B.S.Ed.
School of Education   

Neff Hall 240 ~ 260-481-4146


The certification only program in elementary education is intended to prepare students for successful careers as teachers of children in elementary generalist (K-6) classroom settings.  This program is a post-bachelor, non-degree program.  While no degree or certificate will be awarded, a program completer may apply for an Indiana teaching license. Candidates must demonstrate competencies in four content areas of Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies as well as Mathematics and Science by passing content exams in each area prior to student teaching.  Elementary Education students will also supplement their program with a Specialty Area in a concentration, dual license, or minor.  See the list of options under the Specialty Area heading below. 

To earn the license in elementary education, you must satisfy the requirements of Purdue University Fort Wayne (Academic Regulations, Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct ) and the School of Education.


Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the certification only program in Elementary Education students will:

  • Become more caring, humane and functional citizens in a global, multicultural, democratic society 
  • Improve the human condition by creating positive learning environments
  • Become change agents by demonstrating reflective professional practice
  • Solve client problems through clear, creative analyses
  • Assess client performance, creating and executing effective teaching, counseling, and educational leadership by utilizing a variety of methodologies reflecting current related research
  • Utilize interdisciplinary scholarship, demonstrating technology and critical literacies, and effectively communicating with all stakeholders.

Accreditation:

  • Our education programs are accredited through CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) and nationally recognized as a high-quality program through the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).  Because of these statuses, students who meet specified requirements are eligible for the elementary education teaching license in the state of Indiana.  Indiana holds reciprocal licensing agreements with other states.

Program Delivery:

  • This program is available on campus

Declaring This Program:

  • You must declare this program with the School of Education 

General Requirements


Pre-Professional Education: 18 Credits


Criminal History Background reports must be ordered by the students each year they are taking EDU courses that require field placements in school settings.

Professional Education: 48 credits


Requirements for Admission to Block 1:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college

2. Take licensure content exams for elementary education generalist

3. Minimum 2.50 cum. GPA in Pre-Professional Education courses and completion of each course with grade of C- or higher. 

4. Candidates may retake a Pre-Professional Education course only one time.

5. Pass a Criminal History Report. Criminal History Reports are valid for one year and will be repeated when necessary.

Block 1: 6 Credits


Courses in each Block are co-requisites to each other, so they must be taken together. Blocks must be taken in sequence of 1, 2, and 3.

Additional Required Courses: 9 Credits


These courses may be taken at any time during Blocks 1, 2, or 3.  

Student Teaching: 12 Credits


Requirements for Admission to Student Teaching:

  1. Complete an application for student teaching and meet with the Director of Student Teaching ONE YEAR before intended student teaching semester. See Student Teaching Office for exact dates.
  2. Minimum 2.70 cum. program GPA
  3. Candidates may retake a Professional Education course only one time
  4. Pass a Criminal History Report. Criminal History Reports are valid for one year and will be repeated when necessary.
  5. Pass all licensure content exams for elementary education generalist.

Must Select One of the Following 3 Options:


Option 2: Dual License in Special Education or Early Childhood

Option 3: Dual License in English as a New Language

Total Credits: 66 (not counting a Specialty Area)


Requirements for Certification

  1. Completion of Student Teaching and all course requirements
  2. Minimum 2.70 cum. program GPA and completion of each course with grade of C- or higher
  3. Pass the Elementary Education Pedagogy test
  4. Provide evidence of CPR/AED/Suicide Prevention certification
  5. Apply for license

Specialty Area


All elementary education candidates must complete one specialty area of a concentration, dual license, or an approved PFW minor.  For an exception to any of these specialty areas, please see your advisor.

Concentrations


A concentration does not lead directly to a license in that area.

Social Studies Education: 18 Credits


Dual Licenses


A dual license does lead to a license.

Elementary STEM: 12 Credits


Minors: Variable Credits


You may complete one of the following university minors:

Art History, Biology, Chemistry, Communication Studies, Computer Science, Creative Writing, Economics, English, Fine Arts, Folklore, French, Geology, German, History, Human Services, Journalism, Linguistics, Mathematics,  Media Production, Music, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Professional Writing, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Spanish, and Theatre. 

Minors do not lead directly to licensure.  See Undergraduate catalog Colleges for specific course requirements for each minor.