Elementary Education Degree

EARN YOUR TEACHING DEGREE

Loras College offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education leading to licensure in early childhood education, elementary education, and instructional strategist (special education). In these programs, students work with full-time professors and outstanding practitioners from area schools and agencies.

LEARN ABOUT THE Elementary Education Program

Student Experience

The Elementary Education major is designed to get students out into schools and working with children as soon as they begin their coursework. Professional Development Schools (PDS) and other school-based partnerships offer students opportunities to work directly with partner educators in their classrooms to develop the skills and best practices that today’s teachers need.

Student Learning Outcomes

Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium Standards
1.	Learner Development
2.	Learning Differences
3.	Learning Environments
4.	Content Knowledge
5.	Applications of Content
6.	Assessment
7.	Planning for Instruction
8.	Instructional Strategies
9.	Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
10.	Collaboration

Curriculum

View Highlighted Courses

Differentiated Instruction, Grades K-6
This course will deepen student’s capacity to identify individual learning differences among children (grades K-6) and to develop specific strategies for meeting their different learning needs. Students will gain experience in developing individualized learning goals and determining the content, materials, teaching and management strategies for learners with special needs, including the gifted and talented.

Teaching for Social Justice
This course focuses on preparing teacher candidates to work with students from diverse backgrounds. Topics include race, religion, gender, social class, disabilities, global education, and English language learners. The goal of the course is for teacher candidates to develop multicultural awareness, learn effective classroom strategies to help close the achievement gap, and to become advocates for multicultural education. Students will also have the opportunity to tutor local students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Assessment & Evaluation of Exceptionality, Grades PreK-8
The purpose and content of a variety of formal and informal assessments and their use in making data-based educational decisions are explored. Topics covered include informal assessment and analysis, standardized, norm-referenced and criterion-referenced instruments, systematic observation, curriculum-based measurement, response to intervention (RTI), IEP development, and progress monitoring.

View All Elementary Education Course Offerings PDF

Major Requirements

Students will complete the following requirements in order to achieve a major in Elementary Education.

Degree Requirements

The Loras College Teacher Education program incorporates a mediated and supported induction into the profession of teaching through reciprocal partnerships with area schools, including schools that serve as Professional Development Schools for our students across their coursework. These experiences offer students opportunities to work with partner faculty in their classrooms in order to learn and apply relevant skills prior to student teaching.

Beginning in their first education course, students demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and dispositions based on the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) standards. All courses throughout the program set the foundation for the cumulative digital employment portfolio, which is finalized during student teaching.

Accreditation of the Teacher Education Program
The Teacher Education Program is approved by the State of Iowa and holds membership in the Iowa Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.

Teacher Licensure Programs
Students must work closely with their advisors and the licensure officer in designing an appropriate program of study. All professional education courses that support the various teaching specializations are offered through the Teacher Education Program. The following table lists State of Iowa approved teaching licensure programs available at Loras College.

Codes	Endorsements	Grade Level
	Elementary Core Courses	K-6
102	Teacher – Elementary Classroom	K-6
119	English/Language Arts	K-8
133	Spanish	K-8
142	Mathematics	K-8
144	Music	K-8
148	Reading	K-8
162	Social Science-History	K-8
164	Social Science-Social Studies	K-8
260	Instructional Strategist I: Mild/Mod	K-8

Requirements for the major in Elementary Education (B.A.):
Students seeking licensure at the elementary level must also complete at least one teaching endorsement.

Req	Course	Cr’s
1	Foundations of Education	3
2	Foundations of Inclusive Education	3
3	Lifespan Development	3
Select one from Req 4
4	Teaching for Social Justice	3
4	Multicultural Education-AC	3
5	Elective: Any science course beyond general education requirement	3
6	Math for K-8 Teachers I	4
7	Math for K-8 Teachers II-FM	4
8	Learning Environment & Collaborations	3
9	Children’s & Young Adult Literature-AA	3
10	Curriculum & Instruction in PE, Health & Wellness	1
11	Curriculum & Instruction in Performing Arts	1
12	Curriculum & Instruction in Visual Arts	1
13	Social Studies Curriculum & Instruction	3
14	Science Curriculum & Instruction	3
15	Curriculum & Instruction in Language Arts	3
16	Beginning Reading	3
17	Curriculum & Instruction in Mathematics	3
18	Intermediate Clinical	1
19	Reading Across the Curriculum	3
20	Differentiated Instruction, Grades K-6	3
21	Student Teaching in the Elementary School	10
22	Capstone Seminar & Portfolio-PJ	2
66 total required credits

View All Elementary Education Courses, Requirements and Licensure Details PDF

Career Opportunities

The Teacher Education Program at Loras College is committed to developing teachers who demonstrate and advocate for best educational practice, innovate through their use of technology to support student learning, and seek experiences that deepen and broaden their knowledge of students’ needs in the 21st century classroom. The Loras College Division of Education is accredited by the State of Iowa.

After receiving your degree from Loras, your career could take off into one of these fields:

Elementary School Teacher
Special Education Teacher
Music Teacher

Supporting Your Investment

Loras takes great pride in supporting your investment – both through providing an exceptional learning experience and in sharing the cost of your degree. 100% of Loras students receive financial aid. We have scholarships, grants and special awards for all students based on their achievements and financial need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take me to earn my Loras degree?

Most students earn their undergraduate degree in four years or less. If you have questions about transferring any previously earned credits or degrees, please see our Transfer Student Information.

How much is tuition?

At Loras College, financial access to education is one of our defining values. We are committed to helping all of our students make their degree affordable. We partner with every student and family to understand their unique financial needs ensuring 100% of Loras students receive financial aid. We offer Scholarships, grants and special awards for all students based on their achievements and financial need. Loras is consistently ranked as one of the best universities for return on investment. View our Tuition and Fees page.

How do I apply for financial aid?

Submit your federal FAFSA, apply to Loras College and visit loras.edu/financial-aid for information, scholarship opportunities and much more.

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

“My experience as a Loras Education major has been incredible, from serving as the Education Club president at a national conference, to working hands-on with elementary students through my coursework. I know I would have never experienced all I have without the personal dedication of my professors.”

– Alexandria Settanni

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

"My experience as a Loras Education major has been incredible..."

Meet Our Professors

Brent Daigle
Assistant Professor of Education
563.588.4989 | brent.daigle@loras.edu

Rebecca Fabricius M.S.
Director of Clinical Education
Licensure Official
563.588.4911 |rebecca.fabricius@loras.edu
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David Salyer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
563.588.7836 | David.Salyer@loras.edu
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Scott Scheuerell, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
563.588.7201 | Scott.Scheuerell@loras.edu
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Hilarie Welsh, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
563.588.7994 | Hilarie.Welsh@loras.edu
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