Dec 13, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Elementary Education, P-5 Certification Concentration, B.S.E.


Return to: 4130 Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education  

Additional Teacher Education information is found in section 1600 Educator Preparation .

The Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Elementary Education prepares candidates to teach diverse learners in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), urban contexts, and special education. There are two program options for completing the B.S.E. degree in Elementary Education. Candidates may pursue (1) Certification in P-5 Elementary Education or (2) Dual Certification in P-5 Elementary Childhood and P-5 Special Education General Curriculum. The program offers two add-on endorsements (optional): (1) English to Speakers of Other Languages(ESOL) and (2) Urban Education Endorsement. The program reflects research and best practice in the field of early childhood and elementary education. Candidates receive content and pedagogy in all academic disciplines taught in the elementary classroom.  Coursework, extensive field experiences, and collaboration among school-based and university faculty combine to develop a program that supports the professional growth of the novice educator.

Program Admission

Students are required to meet all University and College admission requirements. In addition, students must apply for teacher education prior to beginning coursework in Area G of the program.

To apply for the B.S.E. Elementary Education program. students must:

  • Have a minimum 2.75 overall grade point average on all undergraduate coursework previously completed;
  • Complete the Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360);
  • Successfully complete all courses in Area A-F;
  • Submit proof of tort liability; and
  • Complete a writing sample and participate in an informational session hosted by faculty. (Please note that the completion of the writing sample and participation in the informational session does not guarantee admission to the B.S.E. program.)

Program Financial Information

B.S.E majors must pay all tuition and fees charged by the University and the College. A lab fee of $125 will be charged at the time students register for the student teaching experience. Educator preparation students must be aware that extra cost such as tort liability and transportation will be incurred at various times during the completion of various teacher education field experiences, particularly during the students’ senior year. 

Program Academic Regulations

Program of Study: Students must complete 42 semester hours in Areas A-E of the undergraduate Core Curriculum. Courses in Area A must be completed with “C” or higher grades. All courses listed below in Areas F-G must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher unless otherwise noted. Semester hours are shown in parentheses following an entry.

B.S.E. students are required to meet the Georgia 2006 Technology Proficiency Requirement. Students enrolled in the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education Teacher Education Programs at Georgia State University will complete this graduation and certification requirement by demonstrating competency on designated assignments embedded in the four semester course sequence.

Pre-Service Certificate: Upon admission to a teacher education program, students will be contacted by the Office of Field Placements and Certification with instructions to claim enrollment in their program and submit a GaPSC Pre-Service Certificate Application. The pre-service certificate is required for placement in required field experiences or clinical practice.

Certification: Students must post passing scores on the GACE Content Assessment and Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment (360) in order to be recommended by Georgia State University for clear, renewable certification.

For Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) certification requirements, students must earn a grade of B or higher in EXC 4020 Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities.

Degree Requirements


Areas A-E: Core Curriculum Recommendations


Students must complete 42 semester hours in Areas A-E of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum. Courses in Area A must be completed with “C” or higher grades.

Area F. Courses Appropriate for a Major (18 Hours)


Students must complete coursework with a grade of “C” or higher in Area F prior to admission to teacher education.

Area G. Major Courses (48 Hours)


Students must complete all courses listed below in Areas G with a grade of “C” or higher unless otherwise noted. Students begin Area G of their programs as a cohort and must take courses in the sequence specified. The Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education provides a program manual describing course requirements and expectations.

Area H. Student Teaching (12 Hours)


All program requirements must be satisfactorily completed before students are authorized to enroll in student teaching. Students should not enroll in other courses while completing Area H requirements. Students must complete student teaching coursework in Area H with a grade of “C” or higher.

Required (12 Hours)


Total Program: Minimum of 120 Semester Hours


Optional Add-On English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement


Select requirements for the ESOL Endorsement are embedded in Area G. To successfully complete the (optional) add-on endorsement, candidates must take ECE 3440 and earn a grade of “C” or higher.

Optional Add-On Urban Education Endorsement


Select requirements for the Urban Education Endorsement are embedded in Area G. To complete the (optional) add-on endorsement, candidates must take ECE 3390 and earn a grade of “C” or higher.