Elementary Education
The Elementary Education (K-6) program at Methodist University seeks to prepare our students to be able to lead and teach elementary school students for grades Kindergarten thru 6th grade. Not only will you master the entry-level skills and concepts for each subject matter, but you will be able to understand the different teaching skills needed to teach others effectively.
Common Career Paths
Unlike some majors, Elementary Education is directly tied to a specific career path as an elementary school teacher. However, it is not the only career available for those who attain an Elementary Education degree. Some other career paths include public school administrator, camp director, curriculum development, instructional coordinator, youth services specialist, social worker, and more.
Common Salary Ranges for Graduates
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average annual salary for elementary school teachers in North Carolina in May 2021 to be $50,530 and $51,670 for special education elementary school teachers.
Average Tuition Cost
The average cost for an incoming residential freshman to attend MU is less than $18,000 – similar to the cost of attending one of the big-box public schools, but with the enhanced value of a highly-regarded private school with a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
While tuition varies, depending on a student’s financial aid package, it’s important to know that the average financial award for an incoming residential freshman at MU is more than $34,000.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
More than 97% of MU students receive some form of financial aid, with the University offering more than $24 million annually to students for scholarships. If a student is active military, family of active military, or a veteran, they may also qualify for MU’s military education benefits.
Interested in Methodist University’s Elementary Education (K-6) program?
If you have questions, see the FAQ below or reach out to Dr. Patricia Fecher using the contact info at the bottom of the page. If you’re ready to apply today, click the button below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally speaking, elementary school teachers will need to possess at least a bachelor’s degree along with certifications specific to the individual licensing requirements of their state. In North Carolina, you will need a bachelor’s degree, the completion of a teacher preparation program approved by the state, and at least ten weeks of student teaching in an elementary classroom.
To become an elementary school teacher, all states require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree. While most teachers major in Elementary Education, some states may require you to specialize in a specific area like social studies or history.
The Elementary Education major consists of 45 credits and is distributed as follows:
- EDU 2400 Introduction to Instructional Technology (2 credits)
- EDU 2460 Elementary Education (3 credits)
- EDU 2600 Review and Application of Grammar for Elementary School Teachers (3 credits)
- EDU 3100 Measurement, Assessment and Evaluation of Educational Growth (2 credits)
- EDU 3170 Methods of Elementary Science (2 credits)
- EDU 3180 Methods for Instructional Technology (3 credits)
- EDU 3410 Integrating the Arts in the Classroom (3 credits)
- EDU 3560 Investigating Methods and Strategies in Teaching Reading (2 credits)
- EDU 3570 Teaching Reading through Literature (4 credits)
- EDU 4190 Seminar in Positive Behavior Development (3 credits)
- EDU 4020 Methods of Elementary Math (2 credits)
- EDU 4030 Methods of Elementary Social Studies (2 credits)
- HIS 3620 History of North Carolina (3 credits)
- MAT 1060 Topics in Elementary Mathematics I (3 credits)
- MAT 2060 Topics in Elementary Mathematics II (3 credits)
- PXS 3110 Physical Education and Health Education in the Elementary School (3 credits)
- SWK 3500 Human Diversity and Populations-at-Risk (3 credits)
Professional Licensure Requirements
- EDU 1420 Field Experience I (1 credit)
- EDU 2000 Human Growth & Development (3 credits)
- EDU 2210 Introduction to Teaching in the Field (1 credit)
- EDU 2420 Field Experience II (1 credit)
- EDU 2510 Foundations of Education (3 credits)
- EDU 3300* Educational Psychology (3 credits)
- EDU 3420* Field Experience III (2 credits)
- EDU 4070** Professional Orientation (2 s.h.)
- EDU 4210** Student Teaching (10 s.h)
- EDU 4500* Seminar In Education (2 s.h.)
- SPE 2550 Educating Diverse Populations (3 s.h.)
*see course descriptions for prerequisites
**taken during the student teaching semester
- SWK 3500 Human Diversity and Populations-at-Risk (3 s.h.)
Professional Licensure Requirements
- EDU 2000 Human Growth & Development (3 s.h.)
- EDU 2400 Instructional Technology (3 s.h.)
- EDU 2420 Field Experience II (1 s.h.)
- EDU 2510 Foundations of Education (4 s.h.)
- EDU 3300* Educational Psychology (3 s.h.)
- EDU 3420* Field Experience III (2 s.h.)
- EDU 3550* Interdisciplinary Methods (4 s.h.)
- EDU 4070** Professional Orientation (2 s.h.)
- EDU 4210** Student Teaching (10 s.h)
- EDU 4500* Seminar In Education (2 s.h.)
- SPE 2550 Educating Diverse Populations (3 s.h.)
Major Requirements
The Elementary Education major consists of 78 credits and is distributed as follows:
Required Courses
48 credits
| EDU 2400 Introduction to Instructional Technology (2) | EDU 4020 Methods for Elementary Math (2) |
| EDU 2460 Elementary Education (3) | EDU 4030 Methods for Elementary Social Studies (2) |
| EDU 2600 Writing Methods for Elementary Teachers (3) | EDU 4190 Seminar in Positive Behavior Development (3) |
| EDU 3100 Measurement, Assessment and Evaluation of Educational Growth (3) | HIS 3620 History of North Carolina (3) |
| EDU 3170 Methods for Elementary Science (2) | MAT 1060 Topics in Elementary Mathematics I (3) |
| EDU 3180 Methods for Instructional Technology (3) | MAT 2060 Topics in Elementary Mathematics II (3) |
| EDU 3410 STREAM for Educators (4) | PHE 3110 Physical Education and Health Education in Elementary School (3) |
| EDU 3560 Investigating Methods and Strategies in Teaching Reading (3) | SWK 3500 Human Diversity and Populations-at-Risk (3) |
| EDU 3570 Teaching Reading through Literature (3) |
Teacher Professional Licensure
30 credits
| EDU 1420 Field Experience I (1) | EDU 3420 Field Experience III (1) |
| EDU 2000 Human Growth & Development (3) | EDU 4070 Professional Orientation (2) |
| EDU 2210 Introduction to Teaching in the Field (1) | *EDU 4210 Student Teaching (10) |
| EDU 2420 Field Experience II (1) | EDU 4500 Seminar in Education (2) |
| EDU 2510 Foundations of Education (3) | SPE 2550 Educating Diverse Populations (3) |
| EDU 3300 Educational Psychology (3) |
Licensure Testing Requirements
0 credits
| ETS Praxis I Core Academic Skills Test or requisite ACT/SAT score (test codes: 5713, 5723, 5733, or combined test code: 5752) | Pearson for NC Foundation of Reading (test code: 190) |
| ETS Praxis CKT Math Subtest (test code: 7813) | ETS Performance Assessment (PPAT) |
Students must earn a final grade of C or better in all courses with an EDU or SPE prefix.
*A final grade of B or better is required in this course to apply for a North Carolina Teacher License.
NC State Board of Education Complaint Process
The North Carolina State Board of Education (SBE) has jurisdiction to investigate allegations of noncompliance regarding specific laws and rules. Complaints may address Educator Preparation Program requirements set forth in Article 15(D) of Chapter 115C. The SBE does not have jurisdiction over complaints related to contractual arrangements with an EPP, commercial issues, obtaining a higher grade or credit for training, or seeking reinstatement to an EPP. All complaints filed with the SBE must be in writing. A person or entity may file a written complaint with SBE by filling out a complaint form and submitting online and/or mailing or faxing a hard copy to the address on the form.
Contact
Patricia Fecher, Ed.D.
