Elementary Education Degree (BS) | Indiana State University

Why Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Indiana State?

Elementary school teachers are among the most influential of all educators. You can teach and inspire young students with an elementary education degree from Indiana State.

Inspire Students from the Start

Elementary school teachers inspire our next generation of learners, leaders, and game-changers. Our elementary education program prepares you to become a general classroom teacher of reading, writing, mathematics, science, history, visual arts, and music, among other subjects.

The elementary education program prepares you to qualify for the generalist teaching license at primary and intermediate elementary grades (K-6) in Indiana.

Learn from Our Excellent Faculty

Indiana State’s instructors have extensive experience in the classroom and working with young children as teachers, as field experience supervisors, and through independent research.

Our small class sizes allow you to work one-on-one with your professors and collaborate with classmates on projects and interactive learning activities. Your professors will guide your learning through multiple supervised clinical experiences and provide you with instruction and resources for additional learning opportunities.

Work with Students Beyond the Classroom

The Early Childhood Education Center offers a quality learning environment and year-round professional care to children from infancy through age five. It also provides opportunities for teacher training, research, and service to students and other members of the local and regional community.

Elementary education majors also have opportunities to work with local students through the Professional Development Schools Partnership.

What You'll Learn in the Elementary Education Program

As an elementary education major at Indiana State, you will qualify for licensure to teach all subject matters in primary and intermediate elementary schools (K-6). Coursework leading to additional licensure is also offered in areas including Early Childhood, English as a New Language, Middle School Mathematics, Reading, and Special Education, among others.

The elementary education program provides a strong foundation in elementary school curriculum, including core practices in teaching; science of reading; fine arts ; health and wellness; and psychology of childhood and adolescence. The final semester before student teaching includes coursework and an internship focused on methods of teaching reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science.

You will also complete the admission requirements to the Becoming a Complete Professional [BCP] Program. All elementary education students must be admitted into the BCP Program to have official status in the elementary education program and to become eligible for graduation and licensing. Each candidate is evaluated by program faculty based on academic and professional competencies.

Your elementary education degree program will include two semesters of early field experience, a semester-long internship, and a semester-long student teaching experience. These experiences provide exposure to teaching at multiple elementary grade levels and may be completed at a rural, suburban, or urban elementary school.

Transfer Credit

Indiana State University accepts credit from regionally accredited colleges and universities within the United States, and from selected schools located outside the United States. Credit also may be granted for military training and experience. Previously earned college credit can be applied toward completion of the program per Indiana State's transfer guidelines.

Transfer Guidelines

Career Possibilities for Elementary Education Majors

Our graduates are qualified to take the State of Indiana’s required licensing exams for teaching students in grades K-6. They establish teaching careers throughout the country and are recognized statewide and nationwide as outstanding educators.

A smiling Indiana State education student sits in an elementary classroom. She is wearing a grey shirt that says ISU in blue letters and has an image of Sycamore Sam’s head inside the U. She is holding a book with the title “Giraffe Problems” that has the image of a giraffe’s neck on it. The name of the author, Jory John, and the illustrator, Lane Smith, are also visible at the top of the book. Behind the student is a red sign with the word “Corduroy” on it.

Inspiring Today’s Youth

Elementary education major Jory Bales (’24) aspires to be someone’s favorite teacher. Through her education classes, she has observed her professors’ creative approaches to teaching and how they care about their students. She hopes to inspire her own students in a similar way.

Read about Bales’ passion for education

Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The Teacher Preparation Program at Indiana State University is recognized throughout Indiana—and the nation—for the quality of its graduates. The program was established in 1865.

Indiana State University has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. Indiana State’s Teacher Preparation Program meets rigorous national standards for educator preparation set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation [CAEP]. CAEP is the only educator preparation accreditor recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.