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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.

Program Highlights

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% of our graduates find teaching jobs after graduation.

Additional benefits include:

  • National accreditation
  • Approved by the Washington State Board of Education
  • Study abroad opportunities open doors to teaching internationally
  • Two subject endorsements required to better prepare students for employability
  • A rigorous educational environment in which faculty members work closely with their students
  • Top employers includes public schools in Washington, Hawaii and California

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  • Career paths

    The elementary education major prepares graduates for teaching careers (preschool-8) in a variety of environments including:

    • Public or private elementary schools
    • Day care centers
    • Pre-school
    • Private tutoring
    • Military elementary schools

    Graduates are also prepared for advanced study in the field of education.

    For a complete list of professional applications, visit "What Can I Do With This Major?". For additional information about how Saint Martin’s can help you find the career for you, visit our Career Center.

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, rm 476.

To insure 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 SMU courses.

Students pursuing certification at the elementary level while also completing a bachelor's degree at Saint Martin's University must complete the following:

  • 33-35 semester hours of required pre-professional courses (some courses overlap with General Foundations Core Requirements)
  • 59 semester hours (minimum) of elementary education core courses
  • 14-40 semester hours of endorsement courses to complete two endorsement requirements

In addition to getting an endorsement in elementary education, students must complete at least one additional endorsement. This is required of all of our students at every level.

  • Pre-Professional courses (30-31 semester hours)

    Students must complete the pre-professional course sequence prior to starting the Education Core requirements. Several pre-professional requirements overlap with the General Education Core requirements as set forth in the academic catalog. Courses noted as (GEC) meet General Education Core requirements as well as pre-professional requirements.

    • (GEC) ENG 101 College Writing I
    • (GEC) ENG 102 College Writing II
    • (GEC) One U.S. history course
    • (GEC) One world history course
    • (GEC) MTH 201 Introduction to Statistics or higher level MTH course
    • (GEC) One natural science course with laboratory
    • (GEC) PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
    • COM 106 Public Address or (GEC) THR 211 Acting I
    • (GEC) SOC 396 Intercultural Communications -or- ED 202 Diversity in Education Systems
    • ED 204 Introduction to Education
    • ED 205 Child and Adolescent Development

    Students pursuing certification at the elementary level in the context of a graduate program or the post-baccalaureate certification-only route may already have met the endorsement and pre-professional course requirements. Any classes not covered during previous academic work will be required prior to the program or to certification as determined by the advisor during the pre-advising appointment that is part of the admission process.

  • Certification Core and Methods courses (59 semester hours)

    Certification Core Requirements (22 semester hours)
    • ED 304 Directed Practicum Level I (1)
    • ED 306 Curriculum and Instruction (3)
    • ED 312 Classroom Technology (3)
    • SED 359 Introduction to Exceptionality (3)
    • ED 360 Classroom Management (3)
    • ED 362 Educational Law and Issues of Abuse (3)
    • ED 426 Methods of Teaching Language Acquisition (3)
    • ED 470 Classroom Assessment (3)

    Elementary Methods Requirements (25 semester hours)
    • ED 408 Directed Practicum Level II (1)
    • ED 411 Methods of Teaching Mathematics (3)
    • ED 415 Methods of Teaching Science (3)
    • ED 418 Methods of Teaching Social Studies (3)
    • ED 429 Arts and Movement (3)
    • ED 437 Methods of Teaching Intermediate Literacy (3)
    • ED 438 Literature for Children and Young Adults (3)
    • ED 474 Methods of Teaching Primary Literacy (3)
    • ED 492 Elementary Education Practicum (3)

    Internship Requirement (12 semester hours)
    • ED 494 Teacher Internship (10)
    • ED 498 Teacher Internship Seminar (2)

  • Elementary Education endorsement

    To receive an endorsement in "elementary education, P-8," a candidate must complete all required courses and be verified for program completion for a residency teaching certificate with an endorsement in elementary education (P-8) including passing state required exams.

  • Secondary/Additional endorsement (14-40 semester hours)

    In addition to the endorsement in "elementary education, P-8," candidates are required to complete at least one additional endorsement in a second endorsable area. The additional endorsement may be earned either at Saint Martin's University or elsewhere. Depending on the endorsement area, and with careful planning, this second endorsement may require only 14 or 15 semester hours.

Faculty