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All education programs through the School of Education at University of Alaska Southeast are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, a performance-based teacher accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education recognized by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, the U.S. Department of Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Elementary Certification | SOE | University of Alaska Southeast

Certification
Elementary Education
Teacher Certification; grades K–8

On this page:
Admission requirements
Coursework
Contact information

The Elementary Certification program is a non-degree post baccalaureate program of study preparing students for an initial teaching certificate in elementary education. UAS provides institutional recommendation to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development which grants certification for grades K-8.

The certification program is only offered by distance delivery and is only available to students in urban and rural communities throughout the state of Alaska.

Candidates in this program must be self directed learners, must have access to high speed Internet connections, and must schedule time during the school year to complete weekly intensive practicum assignments and a semester of student teaching in an elementary or middle school. Practicum courses are available only to students admitted to the elementary teacher credential program.

Courses are delivered via audio conference, DVD, computer conferencing, and correspondence. Students should be familiar with using email, the Internet, computer conferencing, and should have fax access. Credential students must receive approval of the local school district, as extensive practicum experiences are required.

Current Elementary Distance Students, please click here.

Admissions Requirements

Contact Dr. Katy Spangler to set up an advising session.
An application for admission and a $50 processing fee.
Two letters of recommendation on SOE forms.
Official transcript showing completion of a bachelor's degree with appropriate course content from an accredited institution. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required. Students in the elementary certification program who wish to apply to the MAT should have a 3.0 GPA in the course work taken for the credential program.
Evidence of successful experience with children in an elementary setting. Experienced applicants should submit a letter from a supervisor. Applicants new to education may complete a one week, SOE approved, classroom experience as a volunteer teacher's aide in a public or private school setting resulting in an evaluation by the host teacher or principal.
A writing sample consisting of three individual pieces: a statement of professional objectives; a sample of academic, work-related or other writing; and an impromptu writing sample.
Letter of support from local school district administration.
Qualifying scores on the Praxis I test which is a requirement from the State of Alaska for the Initial Teaching Certification. For more information visit the Educational Testing Service website.
Start taking the Prerequisite courses:
- View UAS Semester Course Schedule
- Fill out Course Registration Form and mail or fax it in.

Coursework

Prerequisites (15 credit hours)

ED 230 Educational Technology
Content competency in writing, math, social science, science, psychology, arts, physical education and health.

Program Coursework


Course	Course Title	Credits
ALST 300	Alaska Studies	3
ED 304	Literature for Children and Young Adults	3
ED 320A	Art in the K-8 Curriculum	1
ED 320B	Physical Education in K-8 Curriculum	1
ED 320C	Music in the K-8 Curriculum	1
ED 333	The Learner and the Learning Process (Must be taken prior to methods semesters)	3
EDSE 482	The Inclusive Classroom	3
ED 615	Literacy in the Intermediate Grades	3
ED 616	Math Methods in the K-8 Classroom	3
ED 617	Science Methods in the K-8 Classroom	3
ED 618	Teaching Social Studies in the K-8 Classroom	3
ED 619	Classroom Management and Discipline	3
ED 661	Advanced Studies in Young Children and Literacy	3
ED 680	Multicultural Education	3
ED 688	Student Teaching -- includes portfolio exit evaluation	6
Total Credits		42

Credential program students may opt to apply to the Master of Arts in Teaching Program, distance-delivered, after completion of the 300 and 400 level courses in their program with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

Program Course Descriptions

ED 230	Introduction to Educational Technology Course provides an overview of applied technology in K-12 education. Topics include: tool software, telecommunications, computer-assisted instruction, and multi-media in the classroom. Also addressed is classroom management technology, and online library research.
ED 304	Literature for Children and Young Adults Uses of literacy forms in the school curriculum and the development of skill in analysis and selection of children's literature.
ED 320A	Art in the K-8 Curriculum Introduction to current philosophies of art education for elementary and secondary school students. Skills and techniques needed for teachers to provide an effective art program.
ED 320B	Physical Education in K-8 Curriculum Introduction to current philosophies in physical education for elementary school students. Skills and techniques needed by elementary school teachers to provide a sound physical education program.
ED 320C	Music in the K-8 Curriculum Introduction to the current theories of music education. Skills and techniques needed by elementary and secondary school teachers to provide an effective music program.
ED 333	The Learner and the Learning Process Designed to study learning theories by examining accounts from educational psychology and the original writings of leading learning theorists. Special emphasis is placed on the curricular, instructional, and assessment practices that are promoted by these different learning theories. Prerequisites: PSY 101 or ECD 210. (Child Development and Guidance).
EDSE 482	The Inclusive Classroom Introduces the philosophical, legal and programmatic foundations of the regular classroom as the foundation for serving all students, including special needs students. Referral to placement, characteristics of students with special needs, classroom strategies to support all learners, instructional strategies for diverse learners, and the importance and impact of cooperation and collaboration as teacher roles are covered.
ED 615	Literacy in the Intermediate Grades Literacy philosophy, theory and practice in the intermediate classroom. Teaching to individual differences; planning, teaching and assessing for student literacy; organizing and managing for optimal student learning; communication with parents; and professional behaviour. Practicum experience in an intermediate (grades 3-8) classroom is required.
ED 616	Math Methods in the K-8 Classroom Philosophy, reserch, organization ,methods and materials of an elementary math program. Emphasis on activities with large and small groups of students, using maniipulatives to develop children's understanding of math concepts, processes and problem solving. Practicum required.
ED 617	Science Methods in the K-8 Classroom The guiding ideas, materials and methods of current science instruction of elementary school children. Emphasis on hands-on, minds-on learning and helping children build conceptual webs. Practicum required.
ED 618	Teaching Social Studies in the K-8 Classroom This course directly addresses the Alaska Teacher Standards for the teaching of social studies in the elementary classroom by providing teaching theories, methods, and materials for social studies in the elementary grades. Understanding issues behind philosophies of teaching; specific inquiry in a social science topic; planning, teaching and evaluating a wide variety of activities and lessons; development of long-term plans, goals and units for social studies within the Alaska Content Standards. Practicum required.
ED 619	Classroom Management and Discipline Planning and carrying out an overall approach to managing an elementary classroom that allows for effective instruction and constructive discipline. Practicum required.
ED 661	Advanced Studies in Young Children and Literacy Developmentally appropriate procedures for facilitating young children's explorations in reading and writing. Integrating written language experiences with oral language development. Includes classroom research project. Practicum in K-2 classroom required.
ED 680	Multicultural Education Investigation of the education of children of the indigenous populations of Alaska as well as children from minority cultures. Comparison of rural and urban multicultural experiences, presentations, discussion groups on cultural success factors found in various schools.
ED ED 688	Student Teaching Supervised teaching in elementary schools. Prerequisite: Admission to student teaching and instructor approval.
ALST 300	Alaska Studies This course provides an overview of the environment and the indigenous and immigrant residents of Alaska. Emphasis is given to the social , economic and political history of Alaska and the religious and educational institutions and laws that affect the people of Alaska.

Contact Information

Program coordinator

Dr. Katy Spangler, Professor of Elementary Education
P.O. Box 773354
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
907-694-7019
907-694-8797 fax
katy.spangler@uas.alaska.edu

Program assistant

Linda Smith
UAS - School of Education
K-8 Certification/MAT Elem. Ed. Distance
11120 Glacier Hwy (HA1)
Juneau, AK 99801
907-796-6533
1-866-465-6424 toll free
1-866-465-5159 toll free fax
linda.smith@uas.alaska.edu

SOE Contact Information

Certification Elementary Education Teacher Certification; grades K–8