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.	InTASC Standard 1: Learner Development
2.	InTASC Standard 2: Differences
3.	InTASC Standard 3: Learning Environments
4.	InTASC Standard 4: Content Knowledge
5.	InTASC Standard 5: Applications of Content
6.	InTASC Standard 6: Assessment
7.	InTASC Standard 7: Planning for Instruction
8.	InTASC Standard 8: Instructional Strategies
9.	InTASC Standard 9: Professional Learning and Ethical Practice
10.	InTASC Standard 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

TEACHER EDUCATION (ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY)
Division of Teacher Education & Behavioral Sciences
Julia S. Omarzu, Ph.D., Chair

ELEMENTARY TEACHER EDUCATION

The Teacher Education Program offers more than twenty licensure and endorsement programs in Elementary and Secondary education. In these programs, students will meet and work with a blended faculty of full-time professors and outstanding practitioners from area schools and agencies.

All Loras College Teacher Education programs incorporate a mediated and supported induction into the profession of teaching in the form of multiple Teacher Education program partnerships with area schools, including participation in Professional Development Schools at both the elementary and secondary levels prior to student teaching. These experiences offer students opportunities to work with partner faculty in their classrooms and other settings and provide the chance to develop skills prior to student teaching.

Beginning with their first education courses students demonstrate their clinical performance, essential knowledge, and critical dispositions based on the InTASC Model Core Teaching Standards. The demonstrations of performance, knowledge, and dispositions throughout the program set the foundation for the comprehensive portfolio which is completed 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 (Elementary Education or Secondary Education)
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
	Secondary Core Courses	5-12
102	Teacher – Elementary Classroom	K-6
119	English/Language Arts	K-8
120	English/Language Arts	5-12
133	Spanish	K-8
134	Spanish	5-12
142	Mathematics	K-8
143	Mathematics	5-12
144	Music	K-8
145	Music	5-12
148	Reading	K-8
151	Science-Biological	5-12
152	Science-Chemistry	5-12
156	Science-Physics (2nd Endorsement)	5-12
157	Social Science-Am Government	5-12
158	Social Science-Am History	5-12
162	Social Science-History	K-8
163	Social Science-Psychology (2nd Endorsement)	5-12
164	Social Science-Social Studies	K-8
165	Social Science-Sociology (2nd Endorsement)	5-12
166	Social Science-World History	5-12
186	All Social Sciences	5-12
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	Oral Communication as Critical Inquiry	3
4	Lifespan Development	3
Select one from Req 5
5	Teaching for Social Justice	3
5	Multicultural Education-AC, EI	3
6	Science Elective	3
7	Math for K-8 Teachers I	4
8	Math for K-8 Teachers II	4
9	Learning Environment & Collaborations	3
10	Children’s & Young Adult Literature-AA	3
11	Curriculum & Instruction in PE, Health & Wellness	1
12	Curriculum & Instruction in Performing Arts	1
13	Curriculum & Instruction in Visual Arts	1
14	Social Studies Curriculum & Instruction	3
15	Science Curriculum & Instruction	3
16	Curriculum & Instruction in Language Arts	3
17	Beginning Reading	3
18	Curriculum & Instruction in Mathematics	3
19	Intermediate Clinical	1
20	Reading Across the Curriculum	3
21	Differentiated Instruction, Grades K-6	3
22	Student Teaching in the Elementary School	10
23	Capstone Seminar & Portfolio-PJ	2
69 total required credits

Loras also offers a major in Secondary Education.

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. Scholarships, grants and special awards are offered to 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 schlarships and financial aid?

Submit your federal FAFSA, apply to Loras College and review our financial aid resources for detailed 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

Julia Omarzu, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Chair, Division of Teacher Education and Behavioral Sciences
563.588.7524 | Julia.Omarzu@loras.edu
Full Profile

Brent Daigle, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
563.588.4989 | Brent.Daigle@loras.edu

Rebecca Fabricius M.S.
Director of Clinical Education
563.588.4911 | Rebecca.Fabricius@loras.edu
Full Profile

David Salyer, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
Director of Teacher Education Program
563.588.7836 | David.Salyer@loras.edu
Full Profile

Scott Scheuerell, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
563.588.7201 | Scott.Scheuerell@loras.edu
Full Profile

Rebecca Smith, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Education
563.588.7161 |
Full Profile

Hilarie Welsh, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Education
563.588.7994 | Hilarie.Welsh@loras.edu
Full Profile