Turn Your Passion into a Career Teaching K-6
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
With a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, you’ll be able to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. While elementary education is a stand-alone major, you’ll also be required to hold a minor. You can minor in a subject area like art, business, English, math, science, social studies, spanish, or psychology.
We offer preparation for the following added endorsement areas:
- Early Childhood
- Special Education
Operation S.M.A.R.T. is an important component of the field work experience.
Required Courses for Your Major
Select the program endorsement to see course requirements.
Subject Area Minor Early Childhood Special Education Dual Reading and Writing
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
Elementary Education with Minor or Supporting Courses
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education, you will need to complete 129 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 58 credit hours in elementary major program courses
- 18 credit hours in minor or supporting field courses
- 9 credit hours in supporting courses
Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Supplemental Endorsement
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education, you will need to complete 132 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours must be general education courses
- 58 credits must be elementary education major courses
- 21 credit hours must early childhood education minor courses
- 9 credit hours must be supporting courses
Elementary Education with K-6 Reading and Writing Supplemental Endorsement
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in any subject area, you will need to complete 122 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 58 credit hours in elementary education major courses
- 11 credit hours in reading and writing supplemental courses
- 9 credit hours in supporting courses
Elementary Education and Special Education Dual Endorsement
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education, you will need to complete 129 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 45 credit hours in elementary education major courses
- 37 credit hours in special education major courses
- 3 credit hours in supporting courses
Teaching Certification
Students who successfully meet state required competencies may qualify for a Nebraska Teaching Certificate. Continuous growth in knowledge, pedagogy and professionalism, as well as satisfactory performance during student teaching and completion of Praxis Content test(s) for each content area as required by Nebraska Rule is in the recommendation for certification.
It is recommended to apply for the Nebraska certification at the time of program completion. If not, rule changes in effect at time of application will need to be made up as deficiencies. Since certification requirements of various states differ, a student planning to teach in a state other than Nebraska should inquire about specific requirements for that state.
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
The Teacher Education Department is accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education (888) 285-2556.
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary
-
Submit your application
-
Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.
Test-Optional Admissions
CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:
- Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
- If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.
Formal Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Students are eligible to seek formal admission into the Teacher Education Program in the second semester of the sophomore year. Criteria for candidacy:
- Initial field experience successfully completed
- Introductory courses EDU 101 and SPE 101 successfully completed
- Professional dispositions for teaching developed
- Minimum grade point average of 2.65
- Submit the completed Admission to Teacher Education Application and Professional Dispositions by stated date in Anthology. Failure to complete both forms by stated date may result in removal from interview process.
- Formal interview with Teacher Education Committee
Academic Description
Turn Your Passion into a Career Teaching K-6
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
With a bachelor of science degree in elementary education, you’ll be able to teach kindergarten through sixth grade. While elementary education is a stand-alone major, you’ll also be required to hold a minor. You can minor in a subject area like art, business, English, math, science, social studies, spanish, or psychology.
We offer preparation for the following added endorsement areas:
- Early Childhood
- Special Education
Operation S.M.A.R.T. is an important component of the field work experience.
Accreditation
The Assurance of Accreditation
The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society. College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.
The Teacher Education Department is accredited by the Nebraska Department of Education (888) 285-2556.
Admissions Requirements
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements for College of Saint Mary
-
Submit your application
-
Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.
Test-Optional Admissions
CSM accepts undergraduate students with or without test scores (ACT/SAT). Below are a few key details to consider:
- Choosing not to submit test scores will not result in any penalties during the admission or merit scholarship evaluation process.
- If you decide to submit scores after being admitted, we will assess your eligibility for a potential increase in merit scholarship (scores must be submitted by March 31). No merit scholarship will be revoked due to test scores submitted after admission.
Formal Admission to the Teacher Education Program
Students are eligible to seek formal admission into the Teacher Education Program in the second semester of the sophomore year. Criteria for candidacy:
- Initial field experience successfully completed
- Introductory courses EDU 101 and SPE 101 successfully completed
- Professional dispositions for teaching developed
- Minimum grade point average of 2.65
- Submit the completed Admission to Teacher Education Application and Professional Dispositions by stated date in Anthology. Failure to complete both forms by stated date may result in removal from interview process.
- Formal interview with Teacher Education Committee
Curriculum
Required Courses for Your Major
Select the program endorsement to see course requirements.
Subject Area Minor Early Childhood Special Education Dual Reading and Writing
Degree Requirements
Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary
Elementary Education with Minor or Supporting Courses
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education, you will need to complete 129 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 58 credit hours in elementary major program courses
- 18 credit hours in minor or supporting field courses
- 9 credit hours in supporting courses
Elementary Education with an Early Childhood Supplemental Endorsement
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in early childhood education, you will need to complete 132 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours must be general education courses
- 58 credits must be elementary education major courses
- 21 credit hours must early childhood education minor courses
- 9 credit hours must be supporting courses
Elementary Education with K-6 Reading and Writing Supplemental Endorsement
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a minor in any subject area, you will need to complete 122 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 58 credit hours in elementary education major courses
- 11 credit hours in reading and writing supplemental courses
- 9 credit hours in supporting courses
Elementary Education and Special Education Dual Endorsement
To complete your bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education, you will need to complete 129 credit hours.
- 44 credit hours in general education
- 45 credit hours in elementary education major courses
- 37 credit hours in special education major courses
- 3 credit hours in supporting courses
Teaching Certification
Students who successfully meet state required competencies may qualify for a Nebraska Teaching Certificate. Continuous growth in knowledge, pedagogy and professionalism, as well as satisfactory performance during student teaching and completion of Praxis Content test(s) for each content area as required by Nebraska Rule is in the recommendation for certification.
It is recommended to apply for the Nebraska certification at the time of program completion. If not, rule changes in effect at time of application will need to be made up as deficiencies. Since certification requirements of various states differ, a student planning to teach in a state other than Nebraska should inquire about specific requirements for that state.
