Elementary Education (K-8) B.A.
Admission Requirements
Complete the following admission requirements:
B.A. in elementary education students should enroll in the School of Education’s recommended sequence of core and major course requirements during their first two years. By following the sequence recommended in Transition One on the Criteria for Advancement through Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Degree, students will be knowledgeable about their status relative to their progress toward meeting the criteria for admission to the professional internship year. To make certain that students will be able to receive the support necessary to prepare for the internship year, all B.A. in elementary education students are required to submit Praxis I or Praxis ASE scores (passing scores are not required until applying to the internship year) to the School of Education prior to enrolling in EDSE F316, and Praxis II (test 5018) test scores must be submitted with the intern year admission packet. Prior to enrollment in professional-year courses and prior to receiving an internship placement in a classroom, all students must submit the materials listed below and meet admission requirements as described in Transition Two. Declaring a B.A. major in elementary education does not guarantee admission to the professional internship year.
Internships begin in August or September on the date when teachers return to school (this varies across districts). Since internship placements are arranged with principals and mentor teachers in the spring, all materials necessary for determining admission to the School of Education must be submitted by Feb. 1. Faculty in the School of Education consider multiple criteria in making valid and reliable judgments about each applicant’s knowledge, skills and professional characteristics prior to approval for the yearlong internship in a classroom with elementary school-age children.
Students must submit the following information to the School of Education by Feb. 1:
- Copies of transcripts from all institutions attended. Evidence of plan of completion of all B.A. degree in elementary education degree courses by Aug. 1 (except for those required in the professional internship year), with a minimum of a 2.75 overall GPA, a 2.0 in each major academic area, and a C or better in all required courses. Students with less than a 2.75 overall GPA may be considered for conditional admission in special circumstances.
- Alaska passing scores from the Praxis I or Praxis Core ASE exams in reading, writing and math, and Praxis II Elementary Content Knowledge exam (test 5018). In extenuating circumstances, applicants may be allowed to begin the internship year without yet having an Alaska qualifying Praxis II score. Students cannot complete program requirement without receiving an Alaska qualifying Praxis II score. See course description for ED F468.
- Two letters of reference that address qualifications and potential as a teacher.
- A current and complete resume/curriculum vitae.
- Two one-page essays on topics determined by the School of Education.
- Completed Elementary Teacher Education Academic Analysis and Life/Work Form to provide information on breadth and depth of prior course work and/or documented life experiences relative to ten Alaska Student Content Standard areas.
- A one- to two-page autobiographical sketch (appropriate for presenting to prospective principals and mentor teachers).
- Extemporaneous writing sample. Contact the School of Education advising office for date, time and location information.
- Evidence of successful experiences in teaching and learning situations.
- Evidence of ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in cross-cultural contexts.
- Completed Alaska Student Teacher Authorization Packet, including fingerprint cards and criminal background check. Forms are available from the School of Education.
- Complete an interview, when requested.
Note: Students are admitted for a specific academic year and must reapply if they do not enroll in the year in which they were reviewed.
Minimum Requirements for Elementary Education (K-8) B.A.: 125-130 credits
Students must earn a C grade or better in each course.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
General University Requirements | ||
Complete the general university requirements. | ||
General Education Requirements | ||
Complete the general education requirements. | 35-40 | |
As part of the general education requirements, complete the following: | ||
Arts | ||
Explorations in Art | ||
Introduction to Alaska Native Performance | ||
or ANS F202X | Aesthetic Appreciation of Alaska Native Performance | |
Alaska Native Music | ||
Humanities | ||
Introduction to Creative Writing | ||
Social Sciences | ||
Modern World History | ||
or HIST F102X | Western Civilization Since 1500 | |
Mathematics | ||
Essential Precalculus with Applications | ||
or MATH F151X | College Algebra for Calculus | |
Natural Sciences | ||
Human Biology | ||
or BIOL F103X | Biology and Society | |
or BIOL F104X | Natural History of Alaska | |
Chemistry in Complex Systems | ||
or CHEM F103X | Introduction to General Chemistry | |
or PHYS F102X | Energy and Society | |
or PHYS F115X | Physical Sciences | |
Additional Arts/Humanities/Social Science 1 | ||
Complete one of the following: | ||
3-5 credits of a language | ||
Introduction to Alaska Native Languages | ||
Individual, Society and Culture | ||
History of the U.S. | ||
Introduction to Sociology | ||
B.A. Degree Requirements | ||
Complete the B.A. degree requirements. | 22 | |
As part of the B.A. requirements, complete the following: | ||
Humanities | ||
Language, Education, Linguistics | ||
or LING F101X | Nature of Language | |
Social Sciences | ||
Complete the following: | ||
Child Development | ||
History of the U.S. | ||
Introduction to American Government and Politics | ||
Complete one of the following: | ||
Indigenous Cultures of Alaska | ||
Native Cultures of Alaska | ||
Alaska, Land and Its People | ||
History of Alaska | ||
Elementary Education (K-8) Program Requirements | ||
Mathematics Requirements | ||
Complete the following: | ||
MATH F211 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers | 3 |
MATH F212 | Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers II | 3 |
Science Requirement | ||
Complete one of the following: | 4 | |
Weather and Climate of Alaska | ||
The Dynamic Earth | ||
Earth and Environment: Elements of Physical Geography | ||
Glaciers, Earthquakes and Volcanoes: Past, Present and Future | ||
The Oceans | ||
Education Requirements | ||
Complete the following: | ||
ED F439 | Supporting Multilingual Learners in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
ED F110 | Becoming a Teacher in the 21st Century | 1 |
ED F201 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
ED F206 | Core Practices in Place and Arts-Based Teaching | 3 |
ED F329 | Teaching with Technology | 3 |
ED F330 | Assessment of Learning | 3 |
ED F344 | Foundations of Literacy Development | 3 |
EDSE F316 | Introduction to Special Education for Elementary Classroom Teachers | 3 |
EDSE F320 | Adapting and Accommodating Instructions for Students with Disabilities | 3 |
Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
Alaska Native Education | ||
Native Ways of Knowing | ||
Professional Internship Year with Integrated Coursework | ||
First Semester | ||
ED F411 | Reading, Writing, Language Arts: Methods and Curriculum Development | 3 |
ED F412 | Integrated Social Studies and Language Arts: Methods and Curriculum Development | 3 |
ED F414 | Art, Music and Drama in Elementary Classrooms | 3 |
ED F466 | Internship and Collaborative Student Teaching 2 | 3 |
ED F467 | Classroom Management Communication and Collaboration I | 2 |
ED F478 | Mathematics Methods and Curriculum Development | 3 |
Second Semester | ||
ED F417 | Physical Activity and Health Education for Elementary Teachers | 3 |
ED F468 | Internship and Student Teaching 2 | 4 |
ED F469 | Classroom Management Communication and Collaboration II | 2 |
ED F476 | Assessment of Literacy Development | 1 |
ED F479 | Science Methods and Curriculum Development | 3 |
Total Credits | 125-130 |
- 1
Students should consult UAF SOE advisor.
- 2
Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.