Elementary Education
The Department of Education offers teacher preparation programs for students seeking teaching careers in grades kindergarten through eight (K-8). The programs are designed to provide a basic general education and the breadth of experience in the sciences, language arts, humanities, social studies, art, music, mathematics, and health enhancement necessary for a classroom teacher at these grade levels.
Prospective elementary school teachers follow a program of study the first two years which is essentially the same for all students. There is sufficient flexibility, however, for specialization in the various teaching options available.
One of the major attributes of the elementary education program at Montana State University is its extensive field-based component. This includes an early experience in the freshman year that is designed for students to observe and interview teachers and their students. Its emphasis is to clarify career directions and it is therefore required prior to all other professional coursework. Prior to student teaching, each student is required to take two paraprofessional semesters. During these semesters the student spends four half-days for eight weeks in a teacher aide capacity while concurrently completing methods courses on campus. The final field-based experience is student teaching where students spend twelve or fourteen weeks in actual supervised teaching in a school setting.
The elementary education K-8 curriculum and six options within the program are available in the department. Early childhood education, library media, K-12, mathematics, reading, K-12, science, and special education are offered to permit students to specialize in these specific areas in addition to completing the elementary school curriculum. The library media and reading options provide additional teaching endorsements for kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12). The other options, while not providing an additional endorsement in the specialties addressed, do allow for added study in each area.
Graduate degree programs are offered for students who wish to pursue advanced programs in teaching or curriculum supervision in education (See College of Graduate Studies' web site at http://www.montana.edu/.)
PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ELEMENTARY TEACHING
| Prerequisite: Take one of the following: |
Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| HDCF 150--Lifespan Human Devlpmt | 3 | ||
| HDCF 160-- Hum Dev Birth-Adol | 3 | ||
| Professional Requirements: | |||
| EDCI 102--In-School Experience | 1 | ||
| EDCI 208-- Ed Psy Hum Dev Sch Age | 3 | ||
| EDCI 223--Basic Media Production | 1 | ||
| EDCI 240--Intro Multicultural Ed | 2 | ||
| EDEL 303--Meth Tchg El Hlth Enh/PE | 3 | ||
| EDCI 320-- Found of Ed Tech | 2 | ||
| EDCI 360--Found of Assmnt | 2 | ||
| EDCI 469--Pub Sch Amer Society | 2 | ||
| EDEL 301--Paraprofessional Exp | 6 | ||
| EDEL 304--Children's Literature | 3 | ||
| EDEL 305--Prin & Prac of Emer Lit | 4 | ||
| EDEL 313--Teach Soc Studies | 3 | ||
| EDEL 325--Teaching Elem Science | 3 | ||
| EDEL 332--Teaching Art & Elem Curr | 3 | ||
| EDEL 333--Teaching Mathematics | 3 | ||
| EDEL 336--Teaching Music | 3 | ||
| EDEL 401--Ed Plan & Mgmt | 1 | ||
| EDEL 402--Ed Mgmt & Discipline | 1 | ||
| EDEL 405--Tch Lit to Established Rdrs (4-8) | 4 | ||
| EDEL 410--Student Teaching | 10-12 | ||
| EDEL 414--Professional Issues | 2 | ||
| HDCF 356--Exceptional Needs | 3 | ||
| HDHL 106--Drug Hlth Issue for Ed | 1 | ||
| 69-71 | |||
NOTE: A student must be admitted into the Teacher Education Program before enrolling in a methods class (Block A and Block B).
PROGRAM SEQUENCE
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Take one of the following: | |||
| HDCF 150--Lifespan Human Devlpmt | 3 | ||
| HDCF 160-- Hum Dev Birth-Adol | 3 | ||
| EDCI 102--In-School Experience | 1 | ||
| EDCI 240--Intro Multicultural Ed | 2 | ||
| WRIT 101W--College Writing I | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| GEOG 105--World Regional Geog | 3 | ||
| GEOG 201--Human Geography | 3 | ||
| MATH 130--Math-Elem Teachers I | 4 | ||
| MATH 131--Math-Elem Teachers II | 4 | ||
| US Core Elective | 3 | ||
| Applied Fine Arts Restricted Core Elective: |
|||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| ARCH 121--Intro to Design | 3 | ||
| ART 114--Art Fundamentals | 3 | ||
| HHD 205--Dance as Cultural Exp | 3 | ||
| HHD 207--Dance Appreciation | 3 | ||
| MUS 102--Fund of Music Creation | 3 | ||
| MTA 103--Understanding Photography | 3 | ||
| Natural Science Restricted Core Elective: |
|||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| BIOL 100--Organism Function | 3 | ||
| MB 101--Micro in Today's World | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| GEOL 102--Evironmental Geology | 4 | ||
| ESCI 112--Physical Geography | 4 | ||
| 33 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| Social Science Restricted Core Elective: | |||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| NAS 100--Intro Native Am Studies | 3 | ||
| NAS 201--Amer Indians in Mont | 3 | ||
| NAS 242--Am Indians in Cont Soc | 3 | ||
| EDCI 208--Ed Psy Hum Dev Sch Age | 3 | ||
| EDCI 223--Basic Media Production | 1 | ||
| EDCI 320--Found of Ed Tech | 2 | ||
| HDHL 106--Drug Hlth Issue for Ed | 1 | ||
| History Core Elective: | |||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| HIST 104--World History | 4 | ||
| HIST 105--Origins of Western Civilization | 4 | ||
| HIST 107--Western Civilization: 1600 to Present | 4 | ||
| HIST 155--Amer & Wrld Before 1865 | 4 | ||
| HIST 156--Amer & Wrld After 1865 | 4 | ||
| History Electives | 3 | ||
| English Literature Restricted Humanities Elective: |
|||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| ENGL 123--Intro to Lit Stdy | 3 | ||
| ENGL 214--Regional Literature | 3 | ||
| ENGL 330--Women & Literature | 3 | ||
| NAS 340--Native Am Literature | 3 | ||
| Inquiry Arts Restricted Elective: | |||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| ART 202--Ancient - Medieval Art | 3 | ||
| ART 203--Renaissance-Modern Art | 3 | ||
| MTA 101 --Film in America | 3 | ||
| MUS 210--Enjoyment of Music | 3 | ||
| MUS 312--World Music | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 121--Intro Gen Chemistry | 4 | ||
| PHYS 103--Our Physical World | 4 | ||
| PHYS 201--Physics by Inquiry | 3 | ||
| POLS 206--Gov't of the U.S. | 3 | ||
| Electives | 14 | ||
| 32-34 |
Note: Courses listed in the sophomore year include a total of 7 credits that are to be combined with the required courses listed in the first semester of the junior year. Timing and scheduling on the student's part will determine which 7 credits will be combined with the first semester junior required courses.
| Junior Year First Semester |
Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| EDCI 360--Found of Assmnt | 2 | ||
| EDCI 469--Pub Sch Amer Society | 2 | ||
| EDEL 304--Children's Literature | 3 | ||
| HDCF 356--Exceptional Needs 0-21 | 3 |
Note: 7 credits from courses listed in the sophomore year are to be combined with the 10 credits listed in the first semester of the junior year.
| Junior Year Second Semester Block A or Block B |
Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Block A | |||
| EDEL 301--Paraprofessional Exp | 3 | ||
| EDEL 305--Prin & Prac of Emerg Lit (K-3) | 4 | ||
| EDEL 332--Teaching Art | 3 | ||
| EDEL 333--Teaching Mathematics | 3 | ||
| EDEL 336--Teaching Music | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| EDEL 401--Ed Plan & Mgmt | 1 | ||
| EDEL 402--Ed Mgmt & Discipline | 1 | ||
| 33 | |||
| Senior Year First Semester Block A or Block B |
Credits | ||
| Block B | |||
| EDEL 301--Paraprofessional Exp | 3 | ||
| EDEL 303--Meth Tchg El Hlth ENH/PE | 3 | ||
| EDEL 313--Teach Soc Studies | 3 | ||
| EDEL 325--Teaching Elem Science | 3 | ||
| EDEL 405--Tch Lit to Established Rdrs (4-8) | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| EDEL 401--Ed Plan & Mgmt | 1 | ||
| EDEL 402--Ed Mgmt & Discipline | 1 |
Certification in first aid with CPR required prior to student teaching semester.
| Senior Year Second Semester |
Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Teaching Semester | |||
| EDEL 410--Student Teaching | 10/12 | ||
| EDEL 414--Professional Issues | 2 | ||
| 29-31 |
A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION OPTION
The early childhood education option leads to a permissive special competency designed for students in elementary education or teachers seeking re-certification. Individuals receiving this competency will receive specialized training in working with children age eight and under and their families in the areas of developmentally appropriate practices and curriculum, parent involvement, and integrating children with special needs. Individuals who have completed the requirements will have a permissive special competency added to their elementary endorsement. This special competency alerts perspective employers of training and skills in early childhood education.
All early childhood education option students are to follow the elementary education K-8 curriculum, with these exceptions:
| Delete: | Credits | ||
| Electives | 14 | ||
| Add: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EDEL 406--Teaching the Primary Grades | 3 | ||
| HDCF 271--Paraprofessional Experience | 1 | ||
| HDCF 350--Early Chld Clsrm Mgmt | 3 | ||
| HDCF 352--Curr for Erly Chldhd Ed | 4 | ||
| HDCF 458--Assessment & Intervent | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| EDEL 410--Student Teaching | 5 | ||
| HDCF 454--Practicum Chldhd Teach | 3 | ||
| 18-20 |
Students choosing this option voluntarily select a program that requires additional coursework beyond the 128 credits required for a standard four-year degree.
LIBRARY MEDIA K-12 OPTION
The library media option provides students with a certifiable K-12 endorsement from the Montana Office of Public Instruction. This option provides students with learning experiences to develop competencies and skills to become the manager and teacher in a high-tech, information-rich environment: the school library media center.
All library media option students are to follow the elementary education K-8 curriculum, with these exceptions:
| Delete: | Credits | ||
| Electives | 14 | ||
| Add: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EDEL 304-- Children's Literature | 3 | ||
| EDCI 406--Young Adult Literature | 2 | ||
| EDCI 476--Internship | 2 | ||
| EDCI 522--Info Resources & Services | 3 | ||
| EDCI 545--Orgn of Info Schl Lib Media Cntrs | 3 | ||
| EDCI 546--Schl Lib Media Speclst | 3 | ||
| EDCI 547--Info Inqry Ed Chng | 3 | ||
| EDCI 548--Mngmnt Info Rsrces | 3 | ||
| 22 |
Students choosing this option voluntarily select a program that requires additional coursework beyond the 128 credits required for a standard four-year degree. This option, which is based primarily on graduate level coursework, requires special permission of the instructor (see Dr. Janis Bruwelheide). Students on Financial Aid should be aware of the implications of courses taken through Extended Studies.
MATHEMATICS OPTION
This option is offered to allow students to concentrate in mathematics in addition to majoring in the elementary education curriculum. It is primarily intended for students who plan to teach middle school mathematics and also desire elementary education background. The program is also attractive to students who plan to teach upper intermediate grades and desire a stronger mathematics background. This option does not lead to State endorsement in mathematics. However, a notation will appear on the student's transcript.
All mathematics education option students are to follow the elementary education K-8 curriculum, with these exceptions:
| Delete: | Credits | ||
| Electives | 14 | ||
| Add: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EDSD 471--Meth Tch Mid Sch Math | 3 | ||
| STAT 216-- Elementary Statistics | 3 | ||
| MATH 420--Geometry for the Middle Grades | 3 | ||
| MATH 424--Alg Invest Middle Grades | 3 | ||
| Restricted Electives in mathematics | 3 | ||
| Mathematics Electives Recommended: | |||
| MATH 170--Survey of Calculus | 4 | ||
| MATH 181--Calculus & Analytic Geom | 4 | ||
| MATH 330--History of Mathematics | 3 | ||
| STAT 217-- Intermediate Stat Conc | 3 | ||
| Or another approved mathematics course | |||
| 15 |
Students choosing this option voluntarily select a program that requires additional coursework beyond the 128 credits required for a standard four-year degree.
READING OPTION
The reading option provides students with a certifiable K-12 endorsement from the Montana Office of Public Instruction. This option provides students with learning experiences necessary to administer and coordinate reading programs at the elementary and secondary level. The holder of this certificate will have the potential of securing employment in school resource rooms.
All reading option students are to follow the elementary education K-8 curriculum, with these exceptions:
| Delete: | Credits | ||
| Electives | 11 | ||
| Add: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EDCI 406--Young Adult Literature | 2 | ||
| EDCI 434--Corr & Remedial Readng | 3 | ||
| EDCI 474 --Middle School Literacy | 2 | ||
| EDCI 476--Internship | 2 | ||
| EDSD 450--Content Area Reading | 2 | ||
| 11 |
Students choosing this option voluntarily select a program that requires additional coursework beyond the 128 credits required for a standard four-year degree.
SCIENCE EDUCATION OPTION
All science option students are to follow the elementary K-8 curriculum, with these exceptions:
(Note: Some of the listed courses may be taken in the regular elementary education K-8 curriculum, thus decreasing the number of credits required in this option.)
| Delete: | Credits | ||
| Electives | 14 | ||
| Add: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| BIOL 101--Biology of Organisms | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| BIOL 102--Molec & Cellular Biol | 4 | ||
| BIOL 103--Envirn Issues & Society | 3 | ||
| MB 101--Micro in Today's World | 4 | ||
| BCHM 122--Organic & Biochem Prin | 4 | ||
| CHEM 121--Intro Gen Chemistry | 4 | ||
| ESCI 111--Physical Geology | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| ESCI 112--Physical Geography | 4 | ||
| GEOL 102--Environ Geology | 4 | ||
| Take two of the following Physics courses: | |||
| PHYS 101--Mysteries of the Sky | 3 | ||
| PHYS 103--Our Physical World | 4 | ||
| PHYS 201--Physics by Inquiry | 3 | ||
| PHYS 205--College Physics I | 4 | ||
| PHYS 206--College Phys II | 4 | ||
| 29-32 |
Students choosing this option voluntarily select a program that requires additional coursework beyond the 128 credits required for a standard four-year degree.
SPECIAL EDUCATION OPTION
The Department of Elementary Education recognizes that many of its elementary education majors understand the necessity of gaining skills in the area of special education. Courses from related fields have been selected which provide preparation for pre-service teachers to gain additional knowledge and skills beneficial to working with disabled students. This option does not lead to State endorsement in special education. However, a notation will appear on the student's transcript.
All special education option students are to follow the elementary education K-8 curriculum with these exceptions:
| Delete: | Credits |
| Electives | 14 |
| Add: | |
|---|---|
| EDCI 434--Corr & Remedial Readng | 3 |
| HDCF 357--Exceptional Needs Lab | 1 |
| HDCF 458--Assessment & Intervent | 4 |
| PSY 100--Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| Restricted electives: Take other approved Special Education Course offerings from MSU-Billings or other universities |
9 |
| 20 |
Students choosing this option voluntarily select a program that requires additional coursework beyond the 128 credits required for a standard four-year degree.
