What You’ll Learn

Remember the first teacher who really had an impact on you as a child? Whether it was the music teacher who taught you how to channel your creativity or your math teacher who taught you addition and subtraction, there are few careers as necessary to society, or as personally rewarding, as teaching.

When you graduate with a degree in elementary education from JCSU, you’ll have your teacher licensure to teach grades K-6. You’ll also be fully prepared to make an impact on the next generation of leaders.

What will I study as an elementary education major?

In the classroom, you’ll take a variety of education and psychology courses to give you the background information you need to be a successful teacher.

In your education classes, you’ll learn how to teach core subjects such as:

  • Reading
  • Math
  • Science
  • Social studies

Your courses in psychology will give insight into teaching a diverse classroom with children of different learning abilities and backgrounds. These classes will help you be a more effective teacher when you communicate with each individual student.

You’ll learn how to complete the day-to-day activities of an elementary school teacher, including:

  • Planning a curriculum
  • Writing lessons plans
  • Creating daily assignments for your students

Popular classes in the elementary education program

Course

Description

EDU 296 Psychology of the Exceptional Learn how to work with exceptional children in the classroom setting.
EDU 332 Children's Literature Study a variety of children’s books and learn how to use literature throughout your elementary school curriculum.
EDU 433 Teaching Elementary Social Studies Learn how to teach social studies in elementary school through technology, field experiences and more.
EDU 331 Issues and Trends in Education Evaluate historical and current issues and trends in education from a global perspective.

Where will I study elementary education?

All of your classes will feature a variety of technologies that are becoming more common in 21st century classrooms. You’ll learn the most effective ways of using smart boards and laptops to make your daily lessons engaging and fun for young minds.

Much of your education will also come from local elementary school classrooms. From urban settings to the suburbs, you’ll develop a broad perspective of the education system and the ability to observe variety of school settings and student personalities.

What will I learn outside the elementary education program?

JCSU is a private liberal arts university. What this means to you is that your education will broadly cover all areas of study. The diversity of your classes will help you look at “the big picture” in any career you choose.

  • Classes in computer science and communication arts will give you a definite advantage in the job market and workplace.
  • Taking several foreign language classes will help you interact with a global community that is getting smaller each day.
  • By taking math and science classes, you’ll have a better understanding of the world around you.
  • Health and physical education courses give you the knowledge to cope with everyday stress and lead a better, longer life.

Having a college education will give you the tools to succeed in life. Having a liberal arts education will give you the opportunity to take your success further.