A separate admissions process must be completed and admission granted before students enroll in this program. The elementary education major leads to Minnesota licensure as a teacher of grades K-6. Students obtaining a K-6 license may also pursue an optional endorsement in one of the following five areas: 1) preprimary, 2) middle level communication arts and literature, 3) middle level mathematics, 4) middle level science, and 5) middle level social studies. Program Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)- Coursework in elementary education is designed to meet standards of effective practice required for licensure and provide prospective teachers with opportunities to do the following: • Understand central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of disciplines taught in the elementary school; • Understand child and adolescent development theory, individual and group motivation and diversity among learners; • Create instructional opportunities adapted to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds, and with exceptionalities; • Use instructional strategies and technologies that reflect personal knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques; • Encourage development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills; • Understand and use formative and summative methods of student assessment; • Plan and manage instruction; • Engage in reflection and self-assessment; and • Collaborate with parents/guardians, families, school colleagues, and the community in an ethical manner. Students pursuing Minnesota teaching licensure at the elementary K-6 level and optional endorsement areas must have successfully completed content area licensure requirements in the elementary teacher education program and passed state and federally mandated examinations for new teachers. A minimum GPA of 2.50 overall with 2.75 minimum GPA in elementary education major and licensure area(s) is required for program admission. The GPA includes all course work. All courses that fulfill requirements for teaching licensure in elementary education (discipline/content, professional education, or other courses) must be completed with a grade of C- or better. Required courses must be taken A-F, unless they are offered S/N only.

For admission to the major's two-year course sequence which begins each fall, students must follow the application procedure. Information sessions are held periodically to provide an overview of admissions and program requirements. Students transferring from other schools must be admitted to UMM before admission to the elementary education program can be offered. Transfer students should seek academic planning advice from the education faculty in advance of application to the program. Requirements: • Admission to UMM • Completion of required essential academic skills exams. • Minimum GPA of 2.50 overall with 2.75 minimum GPA in ElEd major and licensure area(s). No grade below C- will be accepted in these courses. • Approximately 60 credits completed by the end of the sophomore year. • Approval of the faculty based on an interview, recommendations, assessment of prior experience (especially with children and other cultures), and progress toward degree.

All courses required for a major in elementary education must be completed with a grade of C- or better. Required courses must be taken A-F, unless they are offered S/N only. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required in the major to graduate. The GPA includes all course work. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced. Successful completion of course assignments, elementary education course grades of C- or better, satisfactory completion of field experiences, and minimum GPA of 2.50 overall with 2.75 minimum GPA in the elementary education major and licensure area(s) are required at the end of each semester for continued eligibility in the program. Students seeking an additional major or minor should see requirements for the area of interest.