Education: Elementary Education, Social Science, Liberal Arts (BA)

Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Liberal Arts, Elementary Education
Concentration: Social Science
Program Code: 3791

About This Major . . .

The Center for Teacher Education offers a comprehensive program of study that leads to licensure in Colorado. Our professors are experienced, knowledgeable, accessible, and dedicated to the improvement of public education. At Colorado Mesa University, we pride ourselves on the personal touch. Faculty offer one-on-one guidance for course selection, field placements, student teaching, and employment. Our mission is to develop Educators as Innovators; we are always looking to improve the quality of learning in our programs and K-12 schools.

As a student, you will gradually accumulate over 200 hours of classroom experience before beginning student teaching. School districts throughout western Colorado provide opportunities to gain experience with children of all ages and backgrounds in a variety of school settings.

The elementary licensure program provides teacher education candidates with a broad content knowledge and prepares them as teachers for grades kindergarten through six. A minimum of 60 credit hours of Essential Learning and content area coursework must be completed with a minimum GPA of 2.80 before a candidate may apply for admission to the Center for Teacher Education elementary licensure program. Please see the Teacher Education Admission Packet for further information on admissions criteria. EDUC 115 and EDUC 215 must be taken before applying to the program.

Important information for this program:

  • Students must maintain 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • Must earn a grade of “C” or better in all required courses, unless otherwise noted.
  • Foreign language proficiency must be demonstrated by high school course work (2 years), college coursework (2 semesters), or competency testing.
  • Students must pass the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to beginning the internship. All other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship.
  • The program requires ENGL 111, ENGL 112, PSYC 233, EDUC 115, EDUC 215, MATH 105, and MATH 205 (all with a grade of “B” or better) and formal acceptance to the Teacher Education Program.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource. 

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate mastery of major area’s content knowledge and pedagogical strategies through fieldwork with learners in professional settings. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  2. Design and establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  3. Plan and deliver effective instruction to students, based on research-based pedagogical practices. (Communication Literacy/Information Literacy)
  4. Collect and analyze student assessment data and use results to inform planning and instruction. (Quantitative Fluency)
  5. Demonstrate professionalism through ethical conduct, reflection, and leadership. (Personal and Social Responsibility)
  6. Assess the importance of historical and cultural context. (Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)
  7. Critically analyze an argument based on secondary sources. (Critical Thinking)
  8. Formulate the relationships of cause and effect.(Specialized Knowledge/Applied Learning)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Specific to this degree:

  • 126 semester hours required for the BA in Liberal Arts, Elementary Education, English.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours, must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course, unless otherwise noted.)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below.  If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 1,2
MATH 205Elements of Mathematics II-GTMA13
History
Select one History course 33
Humanities
Select one Humanities Course 43
Social and Behavioral Sciences
PSYC 233Human Growth and Development-GTSS33
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences 5
Select one BIOL course3
Select corresponding BIOL lab1
Select one GEOL course3
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of “B” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

Must be taken after MATH 105.

3

HIST 131 or HIST 132 recommended.

4

 ENGL or HIST course recommended.

5

One course must include a lab.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Must earn a grade of “C” or better in each course, unless otherwise noted.

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(89 semester hours, a grade of “C” or better must be earned in all required courses, unless otherwise stated. Must also maintain a 2.80 cumulative GPA or higher in coursework in this area. A grade of “B” or better is required for all EDUC courses.)

  • Students must pass the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to beginning the internship. All other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship.
  • The program requires ENGL 111, ENGL 112, PSYC 233, EDUC 115, EDUC 215, MATH 105, and MATH 205 (all with a grade of “B” or better) and formal acceptance to the Teacher Education Program.
Literacy and Mathematics
ENGL 240Children's Literature3
ENGL 343Language Systems and Linguistic Diversity3
ENGL 451Understanding and Using English Grammar3
MATH 105Elements of Mathematics I 13
MATH 301Mathematics for Elementary Teachers3
Kinesiology
KINE 321Physical Activity and Health in the Classroom3
Social Sciences
POLS 101American Government-GTSS13
Select two of the following:6
Principles of Archaeology-GTSS3
North American Archaeology
Principles of Macroeconomics-GTSS1
Western Civilization I-GTHI1
United States History I-GTHI1
United States History II-GTHI1
History of Colorado-GTHI1
American Indian History
American Slavery
The American West
The 20th Century
The Age of Industry in America
History of Immigration, Race, and Ethnicity in America
Human Geography-GTSS2
World Regional Geography-GTSS2
Science
Select two Natural Sciences courses from approved Essential Learning list or BIOL 209 or BIOL 2106
Art
ARTD 410Elementary Art Education Methods3
Elementary Education Concentration: Social Science
Social Science Content Area Required Courses
HIST 102Western Civilization II-GTHI13
ANTH 202Introduction to Anthropology-GTSS33
POLS 236State and Local Government3
Social Science Concentration Electives
Select two of the following:6
History of England to 1660
History of Modern Britain
History of Modern France
History of Modern Germany
History of 19th Century Europe
The 20th Century
Renaissance and Reformation
Medieval Europe
The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
The Ancient Mediterranean World
The Holocaust
European History and Film
Latin American Civilization
The World Wars
History of the United States-Mexico Borderlands
The International History of the Cold War
History of the British Empire
History Of the Middle East
East Asia and the Modern World
History of the African Continent
The Old South
African American History
The Early American Republic
The Age of Industry in America
History of Immigration, Race, and Ethnicity in America
The United States in the 1950's and 1960's
Global America: 1970-2000
The History of Food in America
Early United States Women's History
20th Century United States Women's History
Colonial America
The American Revolution
Civil War
American Indian History
American Slavery
The American West
History of Modern Warfare
Ancient and Medieval Cities
American Sport History
Junior Seminar in Historiography
Topics
Introduction to Public History
Material Culture Studies
Environmental History of the United States
History of Sexuality
Classical Archaeology
Early and Medieval Christianity
Topics
Total Semester Credit Hours51
Elementary Education Requirements 2,3,4
EDUC 115What It Means To Be An Educator1
EDUC 215Teaching as a Profession1
EDUC 341Pedagogy and Assessment: K-6/Elementary3
EDUC 343Teaching to Diversity3
EDUC 374Exceptional and English Language Learners in the Inclusive Classroom3
EDUC 378Technology for K-12 Educators1
EDUC 440Methods of Teaching Language and Literacy: EC3
EDUC 441Methods of Teaching Language and Literacy: Elementary3
EDUC 451Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Early Childhood/Elementary3
EDUC 461Methods of Teaching Science and Social Studies: Early Childhood/Elementary3
EDUC 471Educational Assessment for the K-12 Educator1
EDUC 475Classroom Management for K-12 Educators1
EDUC 499CTeaching Internship and Colloquia: Elementary12
Praxis II Exam Passed
Total Semester Credit Hours38
1

Must earn a grade of “B” or higher.

2

840 field experience hours.

3

Program Requirements:  ENGL 111, ENGL 112, PSYC 233, EDUC 115 and EDUC 215, and MATH 105 (all with a grade of B or better) and formal acceptance to the Teacher Education Program.

4

All EDUC prefix courses must be completed with a grade of B or better to progress through the program sequence.

 All EDUC prefix courses listed above must be completed with a grade of B or better to progress through the program sequence.  Students must PASS the PRAXIS II exam in the content area prior to commencing the internship.  Also, ALL other coursework toward the degree must be successfully completed prior to the internship.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
POLS 101 American Government-GTSS1 3
KINA Activity 1
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
Essential Learning - Geology 3
Essential Learning - History 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
EDUC 115 What It Means To Be An Educator 1
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
MATH 105 Elements of Mathematics I 3
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Elementary Core - Natural Sciences 3
 Semester Credit Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
HIST 102 Western Civilization II-GTHI1 3
PSYC 233 Human Growth and Development-GTSS3 3
MATH 205 Elements of Mathematics II-GTMA1 3
Essential Learning - Biology 3
Essential Learning - Biology Lab 1
Elementary Core - Social Sciences 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
ANTH 202 Introduction to Anthropology-GTSS3 3
EDUC 215 Teaching as a Profession 1
ENGL 240 Children's Literature 3
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
Elementary Core - Social Sciences 3
Elementary Core - Natural Sciences 3
 Semester Credit Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
EDUC 341 Pedagogy and Assessment: K-6/Elementary 3
EDUC 343 Teaching to Diversity 3
ENGL 343 Language Systems and Linguistic Diversity 3
MATH 301 Mathematics for Elementary Teachers 3
POLS 236 State and Local Government 3
Social Science Concentration Course 3
 Semester Credit Hours18
Spring Semester
EDUC 374 Exceptional and English Language Learners in the Inclusive Classroom 3
EDUC 378 Technology for K-12 Educators 1
EDUC 440 Methods of Teaching Language and Literacy: EC 3
ENGL 451 Understanding and Using English Grammar 3
KINE 321 Physical Activity and Health in the Classroom 3
Social Science Concentration Course 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
ARTD 410 Elementary Art Education Methods 3
EDUC 441 Methods of Teaching Language and Literacy: Elementary 3
EDUC 451 Methods of Teaching Mathematics: Early Childhood/Elementary 3
EDUC 461 Methods of Teaching Science and Social Studies: Early Childhood/Elementary 3
EDUC 471 Educational Assessment for the K-12 Educator 1
EDUC 475 Classroom Management for K-12 Educators 1
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
EDUC 499C Teaching Internship and Colloquia: Elementary 12
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours126

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.