Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education prepares students for recommendation in the state of Alaska for initial teaching certification in grades K-8. This program is for students in rural Alaskan communities and others who desire the flexibility of a distance program. Students in this program must be self-directed learners, have access to high speed Internet connections, and prepare for a 9-month intensive student teaching experience in their senior year. Students are assessed relative to national and state standards, including National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards, the Alaska Teacher Standards, the Alaska Student Content Standards, the Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools, and the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) Standards.

The degree requirements are interdisciplinary and provide breadth in the content areas necessary for successful teaching at an elementary level and depth in the opportunities to connect theory and practice in a variety of real classroom, school, and community contexts.

The main components of this program include: (1) subject area coursework in UAS General Education Requirements (GERs); (2) additional subject area course-work in those areas important for successful teaching at an elementary level; (3) foundation courses in educa-tion with practical experiences in the schools; and (4) a capstone year-long experience where the professional education courses are integrated with field experiences and student teaching.

To view details of the program, visit the School of Education Website.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be considered for full admission into the Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program after completing admission requirements as follows:

1. Completion of GERs
2. Minimum GPA of 2.75
3. Completion of 60 credits (all courses C or higher)
4. Praxis I exam taken
5. Mathematics competency (MATH S205 and MATH S206)
6. Successful completion of writing competency

ADMISSION TO METHODS AND INTERNSHIP (CAPSTONE YEAR)

In addition to the requirements for admission to major status all students entering the senior capstone year are required to have successfully completed the following:

1. G.P.A. of 2.75
2. Successful interview with advisor
3. Satisfactory review of Professional Dispositions Report completed by instructors
4. Successful completion of all courses with grades of C or better
5. Fingerprinting and criminal background check
6. A current resume and letter of introduction to future host teacher and principal
7. Praxis I exam scores meeting Alaska cut scores
8. Passing CBEST scores in reading, writing, mathematics may be submitted in lieu of passing Praxis I scores, CBEST qualifying test score 123 or higher total score: no individual score less than 37
9. One letter of recommendation from someone other than an education professor, who can speak to the student's professional dispositions and potential as a future elementary teacher

EXIT CRITERIA

2.75 GPA, approved portfolio based on the CTE vision and conceptual framework, Alaska State Standards, and national Standards to be completed in the Senior Capstone Year as part of methods courses and student teaching, and successful completion of Praxis II exam - Elementary Content Knowledge 0014 meeting Alaska Certification cut scores.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS (2008-2009)

Students must complete the general education requirements (GERs) as well as the specific program requirements listed below for a minimum of 128 credit hours. Courses in a degree program may be counted only once. Courses used to fulfill the major requirements cannot be used to fulfill the GERs. Specific recommendations for the GERs in Elementary Education are listed below. Degree must include 48 credit hours of upper-division (300 or above) courses, 24 of which must be completed at UAS.

Minimum Credit Hours			128
General Education Requirements			43
Written Communication Skills
ENGL	S111	Methods of Written Communication	3
ENGL	S211	Intermediate Composition: Writing About Literature	3
Oral Communication Skills
Select one from the following (3 credits)
COMM	S111	Fundamentals of Oral Communication*	3
COMM	S235	Small Group Communication & Team Building*	3
COMM	S237	Interpersonal Communication*	3
COMM	S241	Public Speaking*	3
*Grade C or better
Computational Skills
Select one from the following (4 credits)
MATH	S107	College Algebra	4
STAT	S107	Survey of Statistics	4
Humanities
ART	S100	Visual Art Appreciation and Principles for Educators	3
MUS	S100	Music Appreciation and Principles for Educators	3
THR	S111	Theatre Appreciation	3
Social Science
GEOG	S101	Introduction to Geography	3
GOVT	S101	Introduction to American Government	3
PSY	S101	Introduction to Psychology	3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
HIST	S105	World History I	3
or
HIST	S106	World History II	3
Science
Select one from the following (4-8 credits)
BIOL	S103	Biology and Society	4
or both
BIOL	S105	Fundamentals of Biology I	4
BIOL	S106	Fundamentals of Biology II	4
Select one from each of the groups below (7-8 credits):
Physical Sciences
PHYS	S102	Survey of Physics I*	4
CHEM	S103	Introduction to General Chemistry	4
Earth/Space Sciences
ASTR	S225	General Astronomy	3
ENVS	S101	Introduction to Environmental Science	4
GEOL	S104	Physical Geology	4
GEOL	S105	Geological History of Life	3
*MATH S107 or equivalent is prerequisite for PHYS S102
Breadth Requirements			29
This area is designed to provide breadth necessary for elementary classroom teaching and depth necessary to respond to NCATE Standards and Alaska Student Content Standards.
Computational Skills
MATH	S205	Mathematics for Elem School Teachers I	3
MATH	S206	Mathematics for Elem School Teachers II	3
Humanities
PE	S__	Physical Education Course	1
___	S__	Advisor-approved upper division English writing or literature course	3
Social Science
PSY	S302	Social Psychology	3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
HIST	S131	US History I	3
or
HIST	S132	US History II	3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
PSY	S245	Child Development	3
PSY	S250	Lifespan Development	3
Select one from the following (3 credits)
ALST	S300	Alaska Studies	3
GEOG	S302	Geography of Alaska: People, Places and Potential	3
HIST	S341	History of Alaska	3
___	S__	Advisor-approved elective*
*Must be Alaska Department of Education approved course for Alaska Studies.
Select one from the following (3 credits):
ANTH	S200	Alaska Native Cultures	3
ANTH	S202	Cultural Anthropology	3
ANTH	S225	Art and Narratives of Alaska Natives	3
Other Skills
___	S__	Advisor-approved elective	4
Major Requirements			56
ED	S222	Orientation to the Teaching Profession	3
ED	S230	Introduction to Educational Technology	3
ED	S302	Foundations of Literacy and Language Development	3
ED	S320A	Art in the K-8 Curriculum	1
ED	S320B	Physical Education in the K-8 Curriculum	1
ED	S320C	Music in the K-8 Curriculum	1
ED	S320D	Drama in the K-8 Curriculum	1
ED	S320E	Health in the K-8 Curriculum	1
ED	S333	The Learner and the Learning Process	3
ED	S380	Multicultural Education	3
ED	S416	Teaching Literacy in the K-8 Curriculum	4
ED	S417	Teaching Social Studies in the K-8 Curriculum	2
ED	S427	Teaching Math in the K-8 Curriculum	3
ED	S428	Teaching Science in the K-8 Curriculum	3
ED	S448	Elementary Classroom Management in K-8 Classrooms	3
ED	S452	Student Teaching	9
ED	S460	Integrated Curriculum and Instruction	2
EDSE	S482	Inclusive Classrooms for All Children	3
ED	S494A	Applications of Teaching: Field Work	3
ED	S498	Professional Portfolio Preparation	2
Select one from the following (3 credits)
ED	S304	Literature for Children and Young Adults	3
ENGL	S305	Children's Literature	3

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The UAS Career Services Office provides a current listing of internship opportunities available to UAS students. These internships are funded by Alaskan, federal, national and international organizations and businesses. Changes occur frequently. If you have an interest in internships please contact Career Services for assistance. If admitted to a degree program you can also speak with a faculty member if you are interested in an internship for academic credit.

CONTACT INFORMATION

University of Alaska Southeast
11120 Glacier Highway
Juneau, Alaska 99801
Ph: 907-796-6100 Ph: 877-465-4827 ext. 6350 (toll free)
Program Website: www.uas.alaska.edu/education
Email: admissions@uas.alaska.edu