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Elementary Education, BAE

Step into real classrooms through internships and student teaching, gaining hands-on experience that builds your confidence as a teacher. This elementary education degree turns classroom preparation into practice well before graduation day.

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A woman reads a large picture book to two children sitting on a colorful rug in a library, demonstrating the expertise gained in the BAE in Elementary Education.

Quick facts

Additional facts

STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.

Accreditation and professional licensure

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

The online option is not available to students who reside outside the U.S.

Degree description

Elementary Education, BAE degree description

The Bachelor of Arts in Education program in elementary education prepares you to work with children in grades K-8 classrooms. This program leads to a K-8 elementary education credential in the state of Arizona.

You receive a firm grounding in academic content with current research and best practices from nationally recognized faculty in their fields of expertise, accompanied by professional experiences. You also gain experience in integrating technology into teaching practices.

The teacher certification program is clinically embedded during sophomore, junior and senior years. The school has developed a team-based approach to teacher preparation, allowing you to participate in professional experiences (internships and student teaching) with a team of peers while receiving guidance and support from faculty members and highly qualified certified teachers. Team-based professional experiences are designed to prepare you to work with supportive colleagues to address the academic and social-emotional needs of learners. Clinically embedded courses and professional experiences provide you with multiple opportunities to apply knowledge learned in coursework to practice in the classroom.

You complete a series of internships before a semester-long full-time teaching experience. With the support of a certified mentor teacher and ASU faculty, you apply what you learn in coursework in a learning environment.

Upon graduation, you are recommended for grades K-8 elementary teacher certification. If you wish to teach in a public school, you must pass the appropriate Arizona educator exams (National Evaluation Series or Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments) to be credentialed to teach in Arizona.

Format options

ASU Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. You may view the program's ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.

You must reside in the United States throughout the duration of the program.

ASU Sync
This program is also offered via ASU Sync. ASU Sync enables you to attend live classes remotely via Zoom. Classes are designed to foster active collaboration and discussion in real time with faculty and peers. As an ASU Sync student, you must reside in Arizona throughout the duration of the program. If you are on F-1 or J-1 immigration status, you should should speak with an advisor about other options to complete this program. Students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not permitted to complete courses via Sync.

If you are seeking to use GI Bill® benefits for ASU Sync programs, you should contact the Pat Tillman Veterans Center regarding certain limitations. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Why study elementary education at ASU?

At the Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, you can choose from undergraduate and graduate options designed to guide you toward teacher certification and a rewarding career in the classroom.

Additional details

As a student here, you tap into the full range of traditions and resources ASU offers while also finding a home in the tighter-knit MLFC community, surrounded by peers who share your passions and professional goals.

Courses

Explore a sample list of courses you may take in this program.

Sample courses
TEL 310 Instructional Design and Planning: Instructional Thought and Action
TEL 317 Instructional Thought and Action: Learning Environment and Management
TEL 318 Instructional Thought and Action: Assessment for Learning
TEL 331 Foundations of Literacy: The Science of Reading
TEL 340 Families, Communities and Cultures: Cultivating Networks of Culturally Responsive Relationships
TEL 370 Professional Educator Series: Building a Professional Network

Course checksheet and curriculum archive

The curriculum checksheet displays this program's required courses and other requirements you must complete for graduation.

What If

Current ASU students, see how your courses can apply to another major and find out how to change your major (opens in new window).

Already completed some college courses? Build on your success.

If you earned college credit outside ASU, our transfer tools map out your progress towards a degree and help you plan next steps.

See how your credits may apply (opens in new window)

What you'll learn

The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.

  • Execute an instructional cycle using research-based pedagogical practices and theories appropriate for a range of learners
  • Create learning experiences that address the content disciplines to engage learners in accessible, relevant, and meaningful content to ensure critical thinking and mastery of the content.
  • Create and maintain inclusive, equitable learning environments that support individual and collaborative learning experiences, utilize high leverage practices, and foster critical thinking, active engagement,and well-being for all learners
  • Use multiple methods of assessment and sources of data to evaluate various aspects of learners
  • Apply strategies for teaming to meet students’ needs
  • Evaluate and recommend appropriate strategies to promote habits of mind
  • Build and implement a professional growth plan using evidence and reflective practices
  • Advocate for students, families, and communities with an understanding of the historical, social, local, or global context
  • Self-reflect and assess personal contributions for shaping and supporting the mission of a school/organization's culture
  • Apply expectations of the profession
  • Analyze key ethical issues present in a prominent social or cultural problem in education, including the ways different ethical perspectives influence decision making related to the issue
  • Analyze and acknowledge the local/cultural context, personal histories, and experiences relevant to problem(s) of practice
  • Engage in cycles of inquiry in collaborative educational systems to imagine new concepts, catalyze ideas, and form new solutions, guided by principles and research that create positive change for learners
  • Evaluate competing perspectives on a problem of practice within an educational context and present a reasoned analysis of the issue informed by major theories and evidence-based practices
  • Implement an applied project, synthesize the findings and defend the significance and implications of the study as relevant to local, social and/or global contexts

Admission requirements

Here are the admission and application details

All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.

First year (opens in new window) | Transfer (opens in new window) | International (opens in new window) | Readmission (opens in new window)

The ASU Sync option is available only to transfer students residing in Arizona because of state regulations and student teaching placement requirements. Students should have completed an associate degree by the time they are enrolled at ASU. Students on F-1 or J-1 immigration status are not allowed to complete courses via Sync.

Transfer admission requirements:

The MyPath2ASU® pathway allows Arizona transfer students to complete a prescribed sequence of courses that meet the requirements for the community college's AA degree, along with the lower-division requirements for the ASU major.

Students should visit Admission Services for more information about ASU degrees offered at local community colleges.

A current ASU student has no additional requirements for changing majors.

Students should visit the Change of Major form (opens in new window) for information about how to change a major to this program.


Explore expanded study opportunities

This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.

This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:

Undergraduate advisor
Damion Bunz
480-965-5555
MLFCOcotillo@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Amber Mesko
602-543-9419
MLFCInnovate@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-5555
Learn more about this program
Undergraduate advisor
Damion Bunz
480-965-5555
MLFCOcotillo@asu.edu
Graduate advisor
Amber Mesko
602-543-6669
Amber.Mesko@asu.edu
General contact
480-965-5555
Learn more about this program

Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

When you pursue concurrent degrees (also known as a “double major”), you earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. Working with your academic advisor, you can create your own concurrent degree combination. Some combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum.

Global experience

Because of climate change, geopolitical instability or economic factors, the United Nations and other institutions predict that migration is expected to increase globally for the foreseeable future. Learners will migrate to new communities. Increasingly, educators will be asked to meet the needs of students who speak languages other than English and who bring a variety of cultures into classrooms and learning environments. Education students can prepare for this reality by participating in Global Education programs, expanding their notion of normal schooling and deepening their understanding of how to foster inclusive and inspiring learning environments.

Paying for college

Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

Get an estimate

Build the career and future you want

Our graduates are prepared for a variety of career paths, including:

Career opportunities showing job titles, projected growth rates, median salaries, and links to detailed information
Career Growth Median Salary More Information
College Program Director 1.8% $104,590
Elementary Teacher -0.4% $63,970
Fitness and Wellness Coordinator 6.2% $69,770
Instructional Specialist 1.6% $77,440
Middle School Teacher -0.4% $64,370
Preschool Director -3.1% $59,300
School Principal -0.3% $105,870
Tutor -0.2% $43,350

Example job titles and salaries listed are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.

Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).


More about careers

Careers this elementary education degree prepares you for

There is a demand for highly qualified elementary teachers in Arizona. A high percentage of students from this program receive job offers during their residencies. Many graduates with a degree in elementary education work in:

  • charter schools
  • nontraditional settings
  • private school settings
  • public elementary schools

Contact information

Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.

Division for Advancing Educator Preparation | ED 102
ASUeducation@asu.edu
480-965-9995

Frequently asked questions about degree programs

Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.

Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.

ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.

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