Majors  >  Elementary Education

This degree program combines liberal arts learning with teacher preparation. Its goal is to prepare individuals to become effective teachers in the elementary grades and obtain an Oklahoma Teaching Certificate in elementary education.

The program is a standards-based program, based upon the guidelines set forth by the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI), NCATE program standards for elementary teacher preparation, Oklahoma state competencies, and the findings from “Effective Teacher” research. Collectively, these standards and research findings provide the knowledge base for what elementary teachers should know and do.

Individuals successfully completing this program are qualified to obtain an Oklahoma teaching certificate to teach in grades 1-8. However, most seventh-eighth grade situations require additional certification in a major subject area, such as middle school science, mathematics, English, or social studies.

Since USAO teacher certification programs are nationally certified by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), certification in other states is simplified. It is recommended that certification be initially obtained in Oklahoma prior to seeking certification from another state. The USAO elementary education curriculum includes coursework from the liberal arts, professional education, and elementary education areas. This broadbased, interdisciplinary curriculum enables students to develop a breadth of knowledge and skills that will prepare them to be effective educators. To learn more about our division of Education and Speech-Language Pathology visit their webpage.

Note: Items on this page and page links are intended for informational purposes only. Please consult the current USAO catalog for actual class requirements for this or any other major field of study. Current USAO students should consult their advisor.