Elementary Education

Admission to Degree Program

To begin the elementary education teacher preparation program students must complete the entrance process with the Teacher Education Department (201 MCKB). Students must attend an orientation meeting held by Education Student Services prior to completing entrance process.

The entrance process includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Technology Skills Assessment (TSA).
2. FBI fingerprint and background clearance. See Education Student Services (120 MCKB) for instructions.
3. Departmental approval is required for deferment from the professional sequence.
4. Approved graduation plan on file with Education Student Services.

FBI Fingerprint and Background Check

All candidates for teacher licensure are required by state statute to be fingerprinted and pass an FBI background check before participating in required field experiences. Fingerprints are taken in Education Student Services (ESS) in 120 MCKB. Contact the ESS for the schedule. Allow from five to six weeks for fingerprints to be processed. FBI background clearance is valid for only three years. If clearance expires before graduation, candidates must repeat the fingerprinting and clearance process, including a new fee payment.

Failing to expunge a police record prior to the background check may result in a blocked registration while a panel reviews the charges. Candidates who cannot pass an FBI background check will be removed from the teacher education licensure program.

Additional Licensing Requirements

It is the student's responsibility to be sure that the approved Praxis test has been taken and passed, that BYU has received the test scores, that fingerprint background clearance is current prior to graduation, and that state licensing fees have been paid. Students will also be responsible for any additional requirements imposed by the state prior to their graduation. To confirm the status of these requirements contact Education Student Services, 120 MCKB, (801) 422-3426. Graduation and Utah licensure cannot be processed until these requirements have been completed.

GE Major Overlap

The following GE requirements will be fulfilled through completion of the Elementary Education major: Global & Cultural Awareness and Letters. More information on the GE/major overlap can be found at http://ge.byu.edu/ge/content/ge-major-overlap.

The Discipline

Elementary education prepares teachers who, having gained their own liberal education, help elementary school children learn by improving the teaching children receive in the home, school, church, and community. Elementary education helps students enhance their thinking abilities, build their confidence in exploring new ideas, and become self-motivated, independent learners.

In the program prospective teachers learn about the culture of the elementary school, develop a solid foundation in basic principles of teaching and learning that originate in educational theory and research, and become proficient in systematically applying those basic principles in practical settings.

Career Opportunities

A degree in elementary education leads to a K-6 educator licensure, providing opportunities for teaching in elementary schools. The TESOL K-12 minor is a required component of this major and will lead to an ESL endorsement in the State of Utah.