Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education Program

The Saint Martin's University baccalaureate program in elementary education provides graduates with the education and training for advanced study and/or initial teaching certification with a primary endorsement in elementary education (kindergarten-8) by the state of Washington.

The University's education program insures that all students have knowledge in the liberal arts. During the professional sequence, students gain knowledge and skills essential to effective teaching and participate in varied field experiences in school classrooms. University faculty, as well as local school district teachers and administrators, participate in the program and contribute to its quality and relevance.

The education program is approved by the Washington State Board of Education under the 1998 revised performance-based standards. Students completing the elementary, secondary or special education programs are eligible for state certification. The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction sometimes makes changes in certificate requirements that take precedence over requirements outlined in the University's academic catalog. Saint Martin's has been authorized by the Washington Board of Education to offer teacher certificate endorsements in the following fields: biology, bilingual education, chemistry, choral music, drama, early childhood education, early childhood special education elementary education, English/language arts, English as a second language, French, health/P.E., instrumental music, Japanese, mathematics, middle level education in math/science, middle level education in humanities, music (general), reading, science, social studies, Spanish and special education.

The University's elementary education program provides:

• A rigorous educational environment in which faculty members work closely with their students
• Quality curriculum library and computer facilities
• A faculty with extensive experience as University educators and in the kindergarten-12 education system
• Small classes, allowing students to receive individual attention, and
• Necessary class, library, computer and field experiences to support the University's teacher education programs.

To supplement the classroom learning, Saint Martin's education students can become members in the Student Washington Education Association (SWEA), an active education club on campus, and/or take part in other informal activities that allow professional development in their chosen major. Seminars with guest speakers from the education profession and field trips also are part of the University experience.

An outline of the University's elementary education program is given below. To insure proper sequencing of courses, students planning to enter the program must consult an advisor from the College of Education prior to taking courses at the University. Formal acceptance to the program is required before students may register for basic courses in education.

Elementary education program
Grades kindergarten-8

General education
(45-51 semester hours)
General education requirements for all Saint Martin's University students are listed in the academic policies and procedures section of the Academic Catalog.

Preprofessional courses
(33-34 semester hours)
One U.S. history course
One world history course
One university-level natural science course with laboratory
PSY 101 Introduction to psychology
ENG 101 College writing I
ENG 102 College writing II
One speech or acting course
ED 204 Introduction to education
PSY 205/ED 205 Child and adolescent development
MTH 101 or higher level math course
CSC 160 Introduction to computing technology
SOC 396 Intercultural communication

Basic courses
(59-60 semester hours)
Includes an endorsement in elementary education
ED 300 Competency seminar (optional, may be required for some students)
ED 306 Curriculum and instruction
TED 312 Classroom technology
SED 359 Introduction to exceptionality
ED 360 Classroom management
ED 370 Classroom assessment
ED 371 Education law
ED 383 Issues of abuse/Teacher as counselor
ED 411 Methods of teaching mathematics
ED 415 Methods of teaching science
ED 418 Methods of teaching social studies
ED 419 Methods of teaching language arts
ED 429 Methods of teaching the arts and movement
ED 438 Literature for children and young adults
ED 474 Primary reading
ED 476 Elementary content-area reading for elementary teachers
ED 494 Student teaching in the elementary school
ED 498 Student teaching seminar: elementary

Academic major/Primary endorsement
To receive a primary endorsement in elementary education (kindergarten-8), a student must complete all required courses and be verified for program completion for a residency teaching certificate with an endorsement in elementary education (kindergarten-8).

Academic field/Additional endorsement
In addition to the primary endorsement in elementary education (kindergarten-8), students are required to complete at least one additional endorsement with 30 to 40 semester hours of credit in an area of academic field emphasis. The additional endorsement may be earned either at Saint Martin's University or elsewhere. (Please see section on competency-based endorsements.)

Depending on the academic field and with careful planning, this endorsement/academic field may require only 14 or 15 semester hours.

Admission procedures
Students must apply for formal admission to a specific education program before or during the semester in which they complete the preprofessional sequence of courses required for the program admission. Admission to the program requires a grade of at least "C" (2.00) in each of the required preprofessional courses; an overall grade point average of at least 3.0; demonstrated competency in basic skill areas (oral and written expression, mathematics); and scores that meet state requirements on standardized tests. Students should contact the College of Education to obtain a teacher education programs application packet.