Elementary Education

Program Description

Baker University’s Elementary Education program is built upon a strong tradition of combining theory with practice to achieve its major goal of preparing exemplary educational leaders. Elementary and Elementary STEM Education majors must complete the professional education and Baker Core requirements and the required courses within the Elementary or Elementary STEM Education major. Students majoring in Elementary or Elementary STEM Education may earn either the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. Visit the Baker School of Education Catalog and Handbook for more information.

Admission Requirements

ADMISSION TO USOE: To be admitted to the USOE, the following requirements must be met: 

• successful completion of ED 100 with a grade of C- or above (for some transfer students)
• successful completion of ED 243 with a grade of C- or above

o Application to the USOE is made at the end of ED 100 OR ED 243. Fall applications are due by November 1st and spring applications are due by April 1st

Additional Requirements for International Students Only: 

• confirmation of interview and competency in spoken English assessed by no fewer than three individuals (combination of Baker SOE faculty and public school personnel [teachers or administrators])
• confirmation of minimum TOEFL score of 525 (paper test) or minimum IELTS Academic Format score of 6 (see below for more details)

One of the following: 

• confirmation of minimum score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), OR
• confirmation of minimum score of 250 on the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK), OR
• confirmation of minimum score of 22 on the Speaking section of the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)

All international students, with the exception of native speakers of English, must submit English proficiency scores from one of the following sources:  

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): An official copy of the TOEFL test results should be sent directly to Baker University from Education Testing Service (ETS). The School of Education requires a minimum score of 525 for the paper and pencil test, a minimum score of 195 for the computer-based test, or a minimum score of 69 on the iBT, the Internet-based TOEFL. A list of TOEFL examination testing locations is available online at www.ets.org/toefl or may be obtained from U.S. consulates and embassies.
• International English Language Test System (IELTS): An official copy of the test results should be sent directly to Baker University from IELTS. The School of Education requires a minimum Academic Programs 96 Academic Format score of 6. Visit IELTS for testing locations and more information.
• Transfer Students: Exceptions may be made for transfer students.

​COURSE REQUIREMENTS  

All teacher education candidates must take the following professional education courses. In addition, all education candidates must complete the courses listed in the appropriate endorsement area of the Teacher Education Policy and Programs Handbook (TEPPH). All licensed teachers must also have a college degree from Baker University or elsewhere. Earning a degree at Baker University will include a major, which also has required courses. Students work closely with an advisor (or advisors) to successfully complete the professional education requirements, major requirements, and teacher licensure requirements in addition to the general education requirements.

Please note: Baker University is not participating in the Kansas (KBOR) Systemwide General Education framework or the Kansas Statewide Elementary Education transfer program. Visit the Baker Core General Education guide for course requirements.

A minimum of 124 credit hours in courses numbered 100 and above is required for graduation with a minimum GPA of 2.00 for all credit hours completed at Baker University that apply toward a degree. At least 39 credit hours must be taken in upper-college courses (numbered 300 and above). No more than 50 credit hours in a single discipline may be applied toward the total credit hours required for graduation.

BACHELOR OF ARTS-  Proficiency in a world language must be demonstrated in order to fulfill the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree. This may be accomplished by completing world language courses through the second (112) level or beyond. The precise number of courses completed will vary from student-to-student dependent upon initial world language placement. Courses in Latin or ancient Greek may not be used toward the fulfillment of this requirement; courses in American Sign Language may only be used if they include a cultural component.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE - Students may meet the specific requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree by successfully completing any one of the following courses and its prerequisites:  

• MA 171 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I (MATH 241 at JCCC)
• MA 262 Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers II (Elementary and Middle-Level Education majors only) (MATH 212 at JCCC)
• MA 321 Statistics II   
• BS 330/MA 330 Quantitative Analysis for Business and Economics II 
• ED 361 Research and Data Analysis in Education (Education majors only) 
• MA 361 Applied Data Analysis 
• PY 252 Research Design and Analysis II 
• SO 384 Public Policy Analysis