Program Information
The bachelor's degree in elementary education program will prepare teacher candidates for a rewarding career teaching kindergarten through 8th-grade students in private or public schools. Our dedicated and passionate faculty provide candidates with the skills, knowledge, and disposition necessary to teach diverse groups of students in basic subject areas in elementary or middle schools. This fully accredited teacher education program includes one semester of student teaching under the guidance and mentorship of cooperating teachers and prepares candidates to take certification exams and earn Idaho Teacher Certification upon successful completion of the program.
Program Outcomes Include:
- The Teacher Candidate applies evidence-based professional and pedagogical knowledge that supports students’ social, emotional, behavioral and academic development.
- The Teacher Candidate has a deep and flexible understanding of content that supports students’ social, emotional, behavioral and academic development in authentic learning environments.
- The Teacher Candidate strategically uses assessment for instructional planning and evidence-based instructional practices to make goal-directed decisions that support students’ social, emotional, behavioral and academic development.
- The Teacher Candidate displays the professional dispositions that support students’ social, emotional, behavioral and academic development
Application, Funding, and Support
Curriculum
B.A. or B.S. in Elementary Education – Standard Certificate Only
B.A. or B.S. in Elementary Education - with Subject Area Endorsement
- All Elementary Education majors will complete the General Education Requirements for a Bachelor's degree, completing all General Education Objectives, plus any additional elective Objective courses required to bring their total to a minimum of 36 credits.
- Elementary Education Subject Area Endorsement(s) (select at least one)
- Biology
- Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing
- Earth Sciences
- English
- English as a New Language
- History
- Mathematics
- Middle School Science
- Middle School Social Studies
- Special Education
Idaho State University Admissions Process
For Undergraduate Students:
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Create an account with Idaho State University
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Materials needed include:
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Transcripts or GED
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Official ACT or SAT scores
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$50 application fee
(waived for graduates of Idaho high schools)
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For Transfer Students:
Must have a 2.0 or better cumulative GPA in fourteen (14) or more credit hours to apply.
- Fill out the application
- $50 application fee (waived for graduates of Idaho high schools)
- Submit final official transcript(s) from each college attended. If currently attending, in-progress transcripts are accepted, but a final official transcript must be sent upon completion of coursework.
ISU Course Catalog
Career Opportunities
A bachelor's degree in elementary education can lead to careers including:
- Adapted Elementary Education Teacher
- Child Advocacy Role
- Childcare Non-Profit Center
- Curriculum Development or Director
- Private School Elementary Teacher
- Public School Elementary Teacher
- Tutor
Job Placement and Salaries
Because elementary teachers are highly desirable in today’s job market, the job outlook includes:
- Average salary (according to the government’s Occupational Outlook Handbook) for a kindergarten or elementary school teacher is $63,670 per year.
Alumni Spotlight, Mick Morgan '11
Mick Morgan
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (emphasis in Mathematics and History)
Those Who Care, Teach
As society has become more complex, so too has the profession of teaching. Today, in addition to conveying relevant content and skills, teachers are often called upon to serve as counselors, child advocates, mentors and more. For College of Education alumni, Mick Morgan ‘11, he is all of those things to his students. Morgan is currently a 4th-grade math teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in the Pocatello/Chubbuck School District #25.
As a child, Morgan struggled with math in school. However, over time he developed an interest in and aptitude for the subject. Today, he uses his past experiences to connect and support students who struggle learning the subject. Morgan received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an emphasis in mathematics and history from Idaho State’s College of Education in 2011. “I really enjoyed the professors and all of the classroom exposure we received in the program. I wish I could go back to Dr. Sanger’s class learning about the philosophy and foundational pieces of education - those were, and still are so important,” said Morgan. In reflecting on his interactions with faculty and staff in the College of Education, Morgan noted, “they gave me and my classmates the tools we needed to go out and become successful educators; knowing they had our backs and believed in us helped us feel prepared for our careers.”
Morgan’s advice for future educators is to “make sure you go into the profession for the right reasons. Educating our kids is not an easy task. Being an educator is demanding! But you can do it and you can make the difference in kids' lives.” He adds, “We need you! I want to continue to see new, talented people coming into the profession. Become a teacher and make a difference in our society.”
In spite of his demanding job as an elementary school teacher, Morgan is still learning alongside College of Education faculty and contributing to the field of mathematics education beyond the walls of his classroom. Morgan co-authored an article with Dr. Cory A. Bennett, Chair and Professor for the ISU Teaching and Educational Studies Department, entitled, Developing Norms with Silent Discussions in the National Council of Mathematics Teachers journal, Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12. Morgan says, “Dr. Bennett has been such a valuable mentor for me. His guidance has helped me become a better teacher. I’m very appreciative of the opportunities I have had.” Morgan and Dr. Bennett will be presenting their work at the NCTM Annual Conference on April 23, 2021.
Morgan’s mentor, Bennett says, “Mick is hands down one of the most reflective educators I have ever met. His attention to the nuanced details of his practice has helped him quickly grow into a highly effective educator. I can recall countless times where he starts a conversation off with “I have one quick question for you” only to have it turn into a highly thought provoking and insightful discussion about teaching and learning. Because of these habits, and his willingness to take on new challenges, he has become a mentor for others and is one of my “go-to” teachers when I need help in thinking about supporting students.”