2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
    Oct 05, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Elementary Education, B.A.


The major in elementary education provides the student with a general education curriculum solidly grounded in the liberal arts and provides professional preparation leading to a teaching certificate for grades 1-6.

Program Approval

Students must apply for program approval during the second semester of their sophomore year, upon completing 45 hours. Transfer students apply for program approval in their second semester at Fontbonne University. Program approval is based upon the following criteria:

  • Completion of EDU 269   without conditions (or a transferred course equivalent);
  • Qualifying scores on the Missouri General Education Assessment;
  • Satisfactory completion of the program’s approved dispositional assessment
  • Successful performance of the essential functions of a major in the Education/Special Education Department
  • A cumulative, blended GPA of 3.00* for all professional coursework from all colleges/universities attended;
  • A cumulative, blended GPA of 2.75* from all colleges/universities attended;
  • Transfer students who have completed Introduction to Classroom Teaching (or equivalent) at another institution must complete a required zero-hour course: EDU 301 Teacher Education at Fontbonne University  

*Content/professional courses must be graded courses; pass/fail grades are not accepted 

Program Approval with Conditions

This designation is available on a one-time only, one-semester basis, and indicates that the student is deficient in one or more of the above categories. The student may continue to major in a certification program with conditions once, for one semester only. Students who do not eradicate all deficiencies will not be allowed to continue in a certification program, will not be admitted into the teacher certification, and therefore, will not be allowed to student teach. 

Rejection for Program Approval

Students who show little or no capability to successfully complete requirements for a certification program in the department will be rejected for program approval, will not be allowed to enroll for additional education coursework in that major, and will be referred for career counseling pursuant to a change of major. A General Studies major with an emphasis in education (which does not lead to certification), could be an option for such students.

General Education Requirements


General education requirements are presented in the General Education  section in this catalog. A course that meets a general education requirement may also meet a course requirement in the major or a course requirement in another discipline.

While students must complete a full general education sequence, the following specific general education courses must be taken to meet the requirements for this major:

Courses Required in Other Disciplines


  • Students must select one course in health or nutrition and wellness.
  • Students must select one course in mathematics in addition to the general education requirement. Students must complete MTH 104  and MTH 106 , unless transferring an approved mathematics course from another Institution. Students transferring a mathematics course will complete MTH 102 .

Graduation Requirement


Students must complete one course in religion.

Early Childhood Certification


Candidates seeking the major in elementary education may also work toward certification in early childhood education (birth-3rd grade) by adding the appropriate sequence of coursework, and by preparing for additional certification assessments.

Early Childhood Special Education Certification


Candidates who seek to add certification in early childhood education (birth-3rd grade) may also add early childhood special education by adding three additional courses (listed below) and by preparing for additional certification assessments.

Learning Outcomes


  • The teacher Candidate will show competence in the nine standards required in the State of Missouri and the four standards in the National accreditation board of AAQEP. (Missouri Teacher Standards and AAQEP standards via MEES)
  • The teacher candidates will model effective verbal, nonverbal, written, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration and supportive interaction in the classroom. (Disposition Survey)
  • The teacher candidate will demonstrate higher order and critical thinking skills as a reflective practitioner who continually assess the effects of choices and action on others.  The reflective practitioner actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally and utilizes the assessment and professional growth to generate more learning for more students. (Longitudinal reflective Key Assessment)
  • Analyze, design, and intervene/implement via strategies and procedures to engage unique behaviors, standards, and achievement of the individual needs of an elementary education student grades 1-6. (Longitudinal reflective Key Assessment)
  • Apply educational concepts and models to manage and analyze student data sets, to support decision-making and to produce solutions to real-world problems concerning the elementary aged student and families. (Philosophy Paper)