ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 

Elementary teachers play a vital role in the development of children. They introduce children to the basics of numbers, language, science, and social studies. They spend most of their time in the classrooms of public, private, or parochial school systems. They also oversee study halls and homerooms, supervise extracurricular activities, and accompany students on field trips. Teachers also participate in education conferences and workshops. With additional preparation, elementary teachers move into positions as school librarians, reading specialists, curriculum specialists, or guidance counselors. Some may become supervisors or administrators, although the number of these positions is limited and competition can be intense. In some school systems, well-qualified and experienced teachers can become senior or mentor teachers, with higher pay and additional responsibilities. They guide and assist less experienced teachers while keeping most of their teaching responsibilities.

Characteristics associated with success in this major include:

• understanding of learning styles
• a strong knowledge base
• an ability to understand and work with children
• an ability to relate easily to children
• respect for education and an ability to pass this on to students
• good communication skills
• the ability to inspire trust and confidence
• an ability to motivate students as well as understand their educational and emotional needs
• patience and a sense of responsibility
• a sense of humor
• enthusiasm and creativity
• organizational skills
• emotional stability and maturity
• an ability to recognize and respond to individual differences in students

Requirements for Admission to Professional Education:

1. File an application for admission to professional education.

2. File a statement indicating no convictions or pending charges on a felony or a sexual misconduct misdemeanor.

3. Submit documentation of a completed physical exam, TB test, and thumbprint criminal background check, all dated within one year prior to admission to teacher education.

4. Submit an appropriate photograph for the teacher admission file.

5. File a statement indicating a commitment to uphold the Professional Code of Ethics for Kentucky School Personnel.

6. Complete teacher admission standardized testing requirement for demonstration of basic skills by satisfying the indicated cut-off score(s) for one of the following:

a. The Enhanced American College Test (ACT) with a minimum composite score of 21

b. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum composite score of 1500

c. The Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) with minimums of 173 in Mathematics, 173 in Reading, and 172 in Writing

d. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with a minimum Verbal + Quantitative total of 800 and an Analytical Writing score of at least 3.5, or a minimum GAP score (undergraduate GPA multiplied by GRE V+Q) of 2200 and an Analytical Writing score of at least 3.5 

7. Attend a Teacher Education Admissions Orientation session.

8. Achieve the required minimum GPA of 2.5 overall.

9. Demonstrate proficiency in oral communication by attaining a minimum grade of “C” in COMM 145 or 161 (or approved equivalent course).

10. Demonstrate proficiency in written communication by attaining a GPA of at least 2.5 in ENG 100 and ENG 300 (or approved equivalent courses), with neither grade lower than a C ” (English credit earned with an Advanced Placement score of 3 or higher, ACT English score of 29, SAT Verbal score of 620, or CLEP proficiency will be accepted as equivalent to a “B”).

11. Obtain three favorable faculty recommendations.

12. If not on iCAP, submit a copy of an approved written degree program for a program leading to initial certification.

Required of applicants seeking a second baccalaureate degree or certification-only for initial certification (in addition to the requirements for all students):

1. Document a minimum overall GPA of at least 2.5 (counting all course work completed at the time of admission to teacher education), or a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 hours.

2. Demonstrate proficiency in oral communication, either by attaining a minimum grade of “C” in COMM 145 or 161 (or approved equivalent course); OR by documenting a minimum undergraduate degree GPA of at least 2.5.

3. Demonstrate proficiency in written communication, either by attaining a GPA of at least 2.5 in ENG 100 and ENG 300 (or approved equivalent courses), with neither grade lower than a C ” (English credit earned with an Advanced Placement score of 3 or higher, ACT English score of 29, SAT Verbal score of 620, or CLEP proficiency will be accepted as equivalent to a “B”); OR by documenting a minimum undergraduate degree GPA of at least 2.5.

4. Obtain three favorable faculty recommendations.

5. Submit a copy of an approved written degree program or certification-only program for a program leading to initial certification.

 

Coursework:

 WKU COURSES                                                                                    KCTCS EQUIVALENT

CS 145 Introduction to Computing	CIS 100
EDU 250 Introduction to Teacher Education	EDU 201
EXED 330 Introduction to Exceptional Education	EDP 203
MATH 205 Number Systems & Theory for Teaching	MAT 205
MATH 206 Fund. of Geometry for Teachers	MAT 206
Math 308 Rational Numbers & Data Analysis
PSY 310 Ed. Psychology: Development & Learning	EDP 202
HIST 456 Kentucky History or GEOG 451 Geography Of Kentucky	HIS 240
ENG 302 Language & Communication
Art 310 Art Education in the Elementary School
MUS 311 Music for the Elementary Teacher
MUS 314 Comp. Arts Ed. for the Eled.Teacher
PE 354 Physical Ed. for the Eled.Teacher
LTCY 320 The Teaching of Reading
LTCY 420 Reading in the Primary Grades
LME 318 Children’s Literature	EDU 270
ELED 345 Teaching Strategies Eled.Teacher I
ELED 355 Student Diversity in the Classroom
ELED 365 Teaching Strategies Eled.Teacher II
ELED 405 Teaching Mathematics in Elem. School
ELED 406 Teaching Science in Elem. School
ELED 407 Materials and Methods in Social Studies
ELED 465 Senior Projects in Elem. Education
ELED 489 Student Teaching Seminar
ELED 490 Student Teaching

Sequencing:

Because of transferring credits and WKU-O course offerings, the length of time to finish this program differs for each student. It is important to meet with a WKU-O advisor as soon as possible. Bring an unofficial copy of transcripts from all previously attended colleges and/or universities. It is also important to determine your availability to take courses: part-time, full-time, summer term.

WKU-O Requirements:

• 120 college-level undergraduate semester hours including the following:

- 44 semester hours of General Education

- 42 semester hours of upper-division credit (300-400 level courses)

- 30 hours must be earned in residence (at WKU), at least 16 of which must be completed after the semester in which the student earned a cumulative total of at least 90 hours.

• Students must earn a minimum of 54 semester hours with WKU to graduate with honors.
• Students must apply for graduation upon the completion of 90 semester hours.
• Students are to meet with an advisor each semester.