College of Education & Human Services
Elementary & Early Childhood Education

Elementary and Early Childhood Education

The Elementary  Education program is an elementary teacher education preparation program which culminates in the Professional Fourth Year (PFY).  The PFY is a two-semester sequential program integrating theory, methods, practica, and student teaching.  The goal of this program is to give each student the best possible background in teacher preparation, and to develop competent beginning elementary teachers.  Students have the option of starting Fall or Spring.  Students must apply for admission into teacher education, and again into the PFY program.

All students in Elementary Education must complete a teacher licensure core, as well as a specialty area in one of the following:  Communication Arts and Literature, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Language and Culture (Spanish), or Pre-Primary Education.

The Early Childhood major prepares students to teach in inclusionary programs serving children from infancy to 8 years old.  These programs include childcare, Head Start, and Early Childhood Family Education, as well as public school kindergarten and first, second, and third grade classrooms.  The Early Childhood major emphasizes collaboration with parents and other professional agencies that serve families with young children.  This major qualifies a student to apply for a Minnesota teaching license in Early Childhood Education.

Download Minnesota Teaching Licensure Options Brochure (PDF)

Graduate Certificates are awarded for successful completion of a program to certify knowledge and/or professional skills in a specialized advanced area of knowledge or practice.  Four graduate certificates are available at MSUM:  Literature for Children and Young Adults, Literacy Instruction, Teaching and Learning with Technology, and Middle School Education.  See Graduate Certificates

Among the Graduate Degree Programs offered at MSUM are the Master of Science in Special Education, Master of Science in Reading, Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in Education, and Master of Science and Education Specialist in Educational Administration.  See Graduate Degree Programs