1. School of Education and Professional Studies

Education: Primary (PK-5)| Major

Students who wish to teach those in early childhood will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Elementary Education.

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts

The Elementary Education program prepares teachers for Preschool-5th grade classrooms. This is an initial licensure program resulting in a Bachelor of Arts degree and an Ohio P-5 Teaching License, ages 3 to 10.

General Requirements for Admission into Education

Teacher candidates entering all education programs must have a 2.7 GPA in CORE courses. Students are expected to earn a C or better in the following courses: College Algebra or Theory of Mathematics for Education I and II, General Psychology, Public Speaking and English.

Complete details about the educational programs can be found in the Teacher Education Handbook which is given to new students in EDC 201 Foundations of Education. Admission to and retention in the education programs are selective and subject to criteria spelled out in the handbook. Transfer students must meet with the Dean or an advisor to plan for admission to the program during their first semester on campus. All Education majors are required to maintain a 2.7 cumulative grade point average to graduate.

NOTE: Although student teaching is not a requirement for graduation, it is mandated for licensure in all areas. Because of the state requirements for licensure, Lake Erie College education students may sometimes complete more than the 120 minimum required credit hours.

Requirements for the Primary (P-5) Education Major

Students are required to take 53 semester credits including.

Education Core (12 SH)

  • EDC 201 Foundations of Education (3 SH)

  • EDC 230 Educational Psychology (3 SH)

  • EDC 330 Introduction to Students with Exceptional Learning Needs (3 SH)

  • EC 340 Educational Media and Technology (3 SH)

Teaching of Reading Core (12 SH)

  • EDC 331 Foundations of Literacy (3 SH)

  • EDC 332 Phonological Awareness and Phonics (3 SH)

  • EDC 333 Vocabulary, Comprehension and Writing (3 SH)

  • EDC 334 Assessment, Instruction & Intervention in Reading (3 SH)

Primary Core (27 SH)

  • EDE 304 Child Development and Learning (3 SH)

  • EDE 308 Family and Community Relations (3 SH)

  • EDE 321 Integrated Social Studies for Primary Educators (3 SH)

  • EDE 426 Primary and Middle Childhood Curriculum, Planning and Assessment (3 SH)

  • EDE 427 STEAM Methods for Educators (3 SH)

  • EDE 428 Reading Language Arts and Social Studies Methods for Primary Teachers (3 SH)

  • HI 200, Ohio History (3 SH)

  • MT 105 Theory of Mathematics for Education (3 SH)

  • MT 106 Geometry and Statistics for Education (3 SH)

Field Experience (2-3 SH)

  • EDC 312 Field Experience I (1 SH)

  • EDC 412 Field Experience II (1 SH)

  • EDC 440 Field Experience II (1 SH Dual Majors only)

For Teaching Licensure Option (12 SH)

  • EDE 444 Student Teaching: Early Childhood (9 SH)

  • EDC 445 Student Teaching Seminar (3 SH)

Featured Course Descriptions

CourseSTEAM Methods for Educators

STEAM Methods for Educators is a forward-thinking course designed to equip teachers with innovative strategies for integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) in the classroom. This course emphasizes the seamless blending of STEM subjects with the arts to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among students. Participants will explore interdisciplinary teaching methods, hands-on projects, and collaborative learning models that make learning more engaging and relevant to the 21st-century learner.

CourseChild Development and Learning

This course prepares students who use the knowledge of how children develop from birth through early childhood in planning educational programs. Students learn to devise learning episodes that embrace a variety of learning styles, cultural differences and developmental levels of children. This course examines the role of the family in child development and considers the readiness factors relevant to preschool and kindergarten programs. Current trends and practices such as inclusive and diversity programs in early childhood education are investigated.

CourseReading Core: Science of Reading

Our Reading Core is meticulously designed to align with the latest research and principles from the science of reading. This comprehensive approach ensures that every student develops strong foundational skills in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. By integrating evidence-based instructional practices, our program supports effective reading development and addresses the diverse needs of all learners.

CourseFamily and Community Relations

This course is designed to help teacher candidates understand the child in the context of family and community. Teacher candidates will become familiar with social and health services available for families in the community. The course will provide opportunities to demonstrate knowledge of basic health, safety and nutritional needs of young children. Students will acquire an understanding of the interrelationships among the child’s exposure to cultures, language and through the function of the home in language development. Students will experience working with interdisciplinary, interagency and intra-agency teams of professionals.