Elementary Education, B.El.Ed.

Program Description

The Elementary Education program at Penn State Harrisburg embodies the four tenets of our conceptual framework: constructivism, authenticity, reflectivity, and standards-based curriculum. Constructivism entails a student-centered approach in which teachers help learners build their own understandings. Authenticity refers to developing professional and pedagogical skills in authentic classroom settings; for example, in the junior and senior years prior to student teaching, the program offers extensive field experiences in a variety of settings enrolling students with diverse backgrounds and needs. Reflectivity relates to consciously analyzing course content and one's own learning for the purpose of deeper understanding and self-improvement. Standards-based curriculum means that our candidates are steeped in Pennsylvania Academic Standards as well as the standards of relevant professional organizations. Taken together, these tenets enable our candidates to become lifelong reflective professionals committed to the learning of all students.

Students will choose one of four options for the degree:

1. PK-4 Early Childhood Education,
2. Grades 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading,
3. Grades 4-8 Mathematics, and
4. Grades 4-8 Social Studies.

Upon successful completion of this major, students will have met all of the requirements for either the Grades PK-4, Grades 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading, Grades 4-8 Mathematics, or Grades 4-8 Social Studies Instructional I certification issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students must apply for admission to the major.

Prior to the full-time student teaching experience in the senior year, candidates are expected to complete all other courses required for certification, including two field placements. On-campus courses are scheduled three or four days a week, while field experiences in nearby schools are scheduled part-time, two to three days per week.

What is Elementary Education?

Elementary Education prepares bright, creative and passionate individuals to teach students in the primary and middle-level grades, which includes pre-kindergarten through grade four or grades four through grade eight. This major includes preparation to teach all elementary subjects, as well as classroom management, working with families and evidence-based best practices of teaching and learning. Individuals in the major spend time in primary or middle school classrooms observing, leading activities, teaching lessons, and being mentored by an experienced teacher.

You Might Like This Program If...

• You enjoy working with children.
• You like critical, creative, and reflective thinking.
• You want to have an important and direct impact on the lives of others.
• You want a career in teaching or school administration.

Entrance to Major

Admission Requirements

Applicants should be in the fourth-semester level and complete the Entry to Major Requirements listed below with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (4.0 scale). The evaluation of prior college work is done on an individual basis by the Office of Enrollment Services at Penn State Harrisburg. Students admitted to the program must have the appropriate clearances required at the time of admission. These may include FBI fingerprint check, Act 151 child abuse history clearance, and Act 34 criminal record check.

Entry to Major Requirements

Entry to the Elementary Education major requires the completion of 45 or more credits in required courses and the state's minimum cumulative GPA criteria of 3.0. Candidates must complete, with a grade of "C" or better, six (6) credits of college-level mathematics (MATH prefix), three (3) credits of college-level English literature and three (3) credits of college-level English composition. Candidates must meet the Basic Skills requirements established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that are applicable at the time of application for entrance to major. Candidates who desire to pursue this major should plan their freshman and sophomore years carefully to ensure their successful progress during very structured junior and senior years.

Retention Requirements

Monitoring candidate progress in the elementary education program will occur each semester while the candidate is participating in the elementary education program. Candidates will be evaluated for retention in the program based on:

1. maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher;
2. performance on any test requirements set out by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in effect at the time of application for entrance to major;
3. satisfactory completion of required courses, including the field experience component;
4. adequate writing and speaking skills as demonstrated in various classroom assignments; and
5. a positive rating on the Penn State Harrisburg Professional Dispositions for Teacher Education Programs monitoring form.

Degree Requirements

For the Bachelor of Elementary Education degree in Elementary Education, PK-4 Early Childhood Option a minimum of 123 credits are required; Grade 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading Option a minimum of 121 credits are required; Grade 4-8 Mathematics Option a minimum of 120 credits are required; and Grade 4-8 Social Studies Option a minimum of 121 credits are required:

45 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GA courses; 6 credits of GH courses; 3 credits of GHW courses; 9 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses; 6 credits of GS courses; 9 credits of GWS courses. Six of these 45 credits may also satisfy the Integrative Studies requirement.

Requirements for the Major

A grade of C or better is required for all courses in the major. To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn at least a C grade in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
CAS 100A	Effective Speech	3
CI 295	Introductory Field Experience for Teacher Preparation	3
EDPSY 14	Learning and Instruction	3
EDTHP 115S	Competing Rights: Issues in American Education	3
EDUC 303	Inclusive Practices in General Education Classrooms	3
EDUC 304	Classroom Organization and Management	3
EDUC 305	Creative Arts	3
EDUC 315Y	Social and Cultural Factors in Education	3
EDUC 321	Methods in Teaching Intermediate and Advanced Readers	3
EDUC 352	Teaching Language Arts	3
EDUC 353	Teaching Elementary Social Studies	3
EDUC 385	Professional Development in Teaching	3
EDUC 454	Modern Elementary Science Education	3
EDUC 466N	Foundations of Teaching English as a Second Language	3
EDUC 490	Student Teaching	9
EDUC 495A	Junior Field Experience	1
EDUC 495B	Senior Field Experience	3
ENGL 202A	Effective Writing: Writing in the Social Sciences	3
GEOG 126	Economic Geography	3
MATH 200	Problem Solving in Mathematics	3
MATH 201	Problem Solving in Mathematics II	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
ENGL 15	Rhetoric and Composition	3
or ENGL 30H	Honors Rhetoric and Composition
HDFS 229	Infant and Child Development 1	3
or HDFS 239	Adolescent Development
Select 3 credits from GN Biological Science		3
Select 3 credits from GN Earth Science		3
Select 3 credits from GN Physical Science		3
Select 6 credits from GA courses		6
Select 3 credits from GHW courses		3
Requirements for the Option
Requirements for the Option: Require a grade of C or better
Select an option		29-32

¹

Students in the PK-4 Early Childhood Option must choose HDFS 229. Students in any of the Grade 4-8 Options should choose HDFS 239.
 

Requirements for the Option

PK-4 Early Childhood Education Option (32 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301	Mathematics in Elementary Education I	3
EDUC 306	Physical Education, Health, and Safety in Elementary Schools	2
EDUC 320	Methods in Teaching Beginning Readers	3
EDUC 403	Curriculum for Early Childhood	3
EDUC 404	Young Children's Behavior: Observation and Evaluation	3
EDUC 410	The Child and Social Institutions	3
EDUC 421	Children's Literature	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302	Mathematics in Elementary Education II 1	3
or SPLED 409C	Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of History courses from the following:		3
HIST/AMST 3	The American Nation: Historical Perspectives
HIST 12	History of Pennsylvania
HIST 20	American Civilization to 1877
HIST 21	American Civilization Since 1877
Select 3 credits of Literature courses		3
Select 3 credits of Elective courses		3

¹

Select SPLED 409C if completing Special Education Certificate.

English/Language Arts and Reading (4-8) Option (30 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302	Mathematics in Elementary Education II	3
EDUC 416	Teaching Secondary English and the Humanities	3
ENGL 470	Rhetorical Theory and Practice	3
LLED 420	Teaching Adolescent Literature and Literacy	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301	Mathematics in Elementary Education I 1	3
or SPLED 409C	Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of British Literature 2		3
Select 6 credits of American Literature 2		6
Select 3 credits of History from the following:		3
HIST/AMST 3	The American Nation: Historical Perspectives
HIST 12	History of Pennsylvania
HIST 20	American Civilization to 1877
HIST 21	American Civilization Since 1877
Select 3 credits of Elective courses		3

¹

Select SPLED 409C for Special Education Certificate.

²

Choice of American and British literature courses must include 3 credits of a GH course and 6 credits of Inter-Domain courses.

Mathematics (4-8) Option (29 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302	Mathematics in Elementary Education II	3
EDUC 417	Teaching Secondary Mathematics	3
MATH 22	College Algebra With Analytic Geometry and Applications II	3
MATH 37	Finite Mathematics	3
MATH 140	Calculus With Analytic Geometry I	4
STAT 200	Elementary Statistics	4
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301	Mathematics in Elementary Education I 1	3
or SPLED 409C	Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of Literature Courses		3
Select 3 credits of History courses from the following:		3
HIST/AMST 3	The American Nation: Historical Perspectives
HIST 12	History of Pennsylvania
HIST 20	American Civilization to 1877
HIST 21	American Civilization Since 1877

¹

Select SPLED 409C if completing Special Education Certificate.

Social Studies (4-8) Option (30 credits)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Prescribed Courses
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 302	Mathematics in Elementary Education II	3
EDUC 415	Teaching Secondary Social Studies	3
HIST 12	History of Pennsylvania	3
HIST 20	American Civilization to 1877	3
HIST 21	American Civilization Since 1877	3
HIST 320	Contemporary World History and Issues	3
PLSC 1	American Politics: Principles, Processes and Powers	3
Additional Courses
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
EDMTH 301	Mathematics in Elementary Education I 1	3
or SPLED 409C	Mathematics Instruction for Students with Special Needs
Select 3 credits of Literature courses		3
Select 3 credits of Elective courses		3

¹

Select SPLED 409C if completing the Special Education Certificate.

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
• Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

• Arts (GA): 3 credits
• Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
• Humanities (GH): 3 credits
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
• Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

• Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

• GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
• GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

• United States Cultures: 3 credits
• International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

Harrisburg

Reuben S. Asempapa, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
W331D Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6354
rsa26@psu.edu

Suggested Academic Plan

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2024-25 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.

PK-4 Early Childhood Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

²

If EDTHP 115S is not available, students may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

³

Optional add-on course (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 404

⁴

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 467

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 477

⁵

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 468

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 452

⁶

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 469

For Special Education Certificate: PSYCH 443 and SPLED 418

⁷

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 462 (can be taken during summer or with academic advisor approved World Campus substitute) and EDUC 495: Special Education Internship

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Grades 4-8 English/Language Arts and Reading Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

²

If EDTHP 115S is not available, students may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

³

Optional add-on course (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 404

⁴

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 467

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 477

⁵

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 468

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 452

⁶

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 469

For Special Education Certificate: PSYCH 443 and SPLED 418

⁷

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 462 (can be taken during summer or with academic advisor approved World Campus substitute) and EDUC 495: Special Education Internship

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Grades 4-8 Mathematics Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

²

If EDTHP 115S is not available, students may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

³

Optional add-on course (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 404

⁴

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 467

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 477

⁵

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 468

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 452

⁶

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 469

For Special Education Certificate: PSYCH 443 and SPLED 418

⁷

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 462 (can be taken during summer or with academic advisor approved World Campus substitute) and EDUC 495: Special Education Internship

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Grades 4-8 Social Studies Option: Elementary Education, B.El.Ed. at Harrisburg Campus

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

‡

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

†

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

¹

GN courses must include one Biological Science, one Physical Science, and one Earth Science course.

²

If EDTHP 115S is not available, students may substitute EDTHP 115 and any course that meets the first-year seminar requirement.

³

Optional add-on course (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 404

⁴

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 467

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 477

⁵

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 468

For Special Education Certificate: EDUC 452

⁶

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For ESL Certificate: EDUC 469

For Special Education Certificate: PSYCH 443 and SPLED 418

⁷

Optional add-on courses (if offered)

For Special Education Certificate: SPLED 462 (can be taken during summer or with academic advisor approved World Campus substitute) and EDUC 495: Special Education Internship

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Career Paths

Elementary and middle-level teachers introduce children to learning through the basics of numbers, language, science, and social studies. They facilitate classroom activities to meet the needs and abilities of their students. They also work with children independently and in small groups. They provide instruction, conduct assessments, listen to presentations, and maintain a positive classroom climate. They individually meet with families and faculty and serve on faculty and community committees. Elementary and middle-level teachers also become supervisors, administrators, and mentors to new teachers.

Careers

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of kindergarten and elementary school teachers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Rising student enrollment should increase demand for kindergarten and elementary teachers, but employment growth will vary by region. The number of students enrolling in public kindergarten and elementary schools is expected to increase over the coming decade, and the number of classes needed to accommodate these students should rise. As a result, more teachers will be needed to teach public kindergarten and elementary school students.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAM

Opportunities for Graduate Studies

Additional graduate study is available, including graduate certificates in ESL, Special Education, the Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum, and the Master of Education in Literacy Education.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATE STUDIES

Professional Resources

• Pennsylvania Department of Education

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Add-on certifications in Special Education and ESL are possible along with the initial PK-4 or 4-8 PA certifications.

Contact

Harrisburg

TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS
W331 Olmsted Building
Middletown, PA 17057
717-948-6213
rka12@psu.edu

https://harrisburg.psu.edu/behavioral-sciences-education/teacher-education/elementary-education-beled