Elementary Education
Looking for a career that empowers you to shape and instill the love of learning in future generations? Elementary education may be the best major for you.
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Why Saint Martin's University?
The elementary education program at Saint Martin’s explores the field of elementary education for the purposes of advanced study in pursuit of a residency teaching certification with a primary endorsement in elementary education (kindergarten-8) by the state of Washington. The program is offered as a major at the undergraduate level, and a pathway to certification at both the post-baccalaureate and master's levels.
The education programs at Saint Martin’s interweave with one another, providing students with a wide spectrum of choice and flexibility. From the outset, education students participate in in-depth school and practicum work allowing them to interact with local teachers and principals. Faculty are professional educators with extensive, contemporary, real-world experience. Their knowledge in the field of education is coupled with skills in counseling, creating a climate of compassionate rigor. Our reputation for excellence so precedes us that 97 percent of our graduates find teaching jobs after graduation.
Elementary Education program highlights:
- National accreditation
- Approved by the Washington State Board of Education
- Study abroad opportunities open doors to teaching internationally
- A rigorous educational environment in which faculty members work closely with their students
- Top employers includes public schools in Washington, Hawaii and California
Internships
Before commencement, you participate in a semester-long supervised student teaching internship to help you launch a successful teaching career.
Saint Martin's matches you with a local school to get hands-on experience:
- planning and teaching lessons
- managing the classroom
- preparing for your teacher certification exam
...all under the guidance of a mentor teacher!
Elementary Education Requirements
Students must apply to the College of Education and Counseling's elementary education program before taking any education courses at the 300 level and up. This is a Washington State requirement. Information on the application process can be obtained from the College of Education and Counseling main office in Old Main 476.
To ensure proper sequencing of courses, students planning to enter the program must consult an advisor from the College of Education and Counseling prior to registering for any Saint Martin's courses.
To contact the College of Education and Counseling program advisor email education@stmartin.edu or call 360-438-4333.
Details on courses, including university core requirements, can be found in the academic catalog.
Core curriculum requirements
Please see core curriculum section of the catalog.
Pre-program requirements
- ED 204: Culture, Equity, and Education (3)
- ED 205: Learning and Development (3)
Program requirements
- ED 406: Planning and Assessment (1)
- SED 359: Introduction to Exceptionality (3)
- HIS326 -OR- ED414: Pacific Northwest History (3)
- ED 426: Methods of Language Acquisition (3)
- ED 304: Practicum I (1)
- ED 362: Professional Issues and Abuse (1)
- ED 439: Literature and Arts Integration (3)
- ED 312: Assistive Technology for All Learners (3)
- ED 408: Practicum II (1)
- ED 395/495 or ED__: Special Topics in Education – required Education Elective (3)
- SED 461: Instructional Strategies for All Learners (3)
- ED 492: Practicum III (3)
- ED 451: STEM Integrations (3)
- ED 464: Literacy Practices for K-8 Learners (3)
- ED 418: Critical Narratives and Historical Integrations in Teaching (2)
- ED 417: Health and Fitness Approaches (1)
In addition - in one dedicated semester with no additional courses
- ED 494 Teacher Internship (10)
- ED 498 Teacher Internship Seminar (2)
- Diversity in educational systems
- Technology for the classroom
- Education law and issues of abuse
- Issues and trends in English language learners and bilingual education
- Secondary literacy
- Arts and movement
- Philosophy of reading instruction
Elementary Education at a Glance
- Degree
- Bachelor of Arts
- Program Type
- Major
- Campus
- Main (Lacey)
- Type of Instruction
- In Person
