Elementary Education, BS

The Elementary Education BS degree fits within the goals and mission of Clayton State University’s School of Education, which is to prepare highly qualified teachers for the region and state. The Elementary Education program will prepare individuals to work with students in grades P-5. The Clayton State University teacher education programs are maintained in partnership with eight county school systems in the University’s primary service area—Clayton, DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Rockdale, and Griffin-Spalding. The Teacher Education Advisory Council serves as an external advisory group for all of Clayton State University’s teacher education programs.

Admission

Admission to the teacher education program is separate from and in addition to admission to the University. 

Minimum admission requirements include: 

• Overall GPA of 2.5
• Completion of Georgia Educator Ethics Assessment
• Completion of at least 45 semester hours of college credit (minimum requirement to submit application)
• Students are required to complete all courses in Areas A-F with grades of A, B, C, or K before formal admission to program. This includes Grades of A, B, or C in EDUC 2110, EDUC 2120, and EDUC 2130.
• Attend Information Session
• Meet with Advisor and/or Coordinator (Face-to-Face, online or email). 
• A one-page essay on why you want to be an Elementary Education teacher and additional writing samples maybe requested. (If reapplying, see Program Coordinator for essay topic).
• 2 recommendations from Clayton State professors (one from the School of Education)
• Acceptable evaluations from professors on the Junior Year Assessment Form (upon request from Coordinator).
• Interview with Elementary Education Program Coordinator (upon request). Someone from the department will call or email to set the interview, if requested.

Application for admission is recommended prior to taking the Upper Division courses.

Credit Residency Requirements

Residency refers to courses offered by Clayton State University (CSU). Credit by examination is not considered to be in residence even if the examination was taken at CSU.

Complete details on admissions to the Elementary Education, BS program are available on the School of Education website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Diagnoses Learning Needs: The graduate uses a variety of assessment techniques and utilizes appropriate technologies to gather information about students and integrates this information to determine learners' strengths and areas to be developed.
2. Plans for Student Learning: The graduate integrates knowledge of discipline content, of the nature of the learners, of learning theories, of instructional strategies and of state /local curriculum guides to plan instruction.
3. Facilitates Student Learning: The graduate implements instructional plans with flexibility and is guided by knowledge of discipline content, of the nature of the learners, of the learning theories and of instructional strategies.
4. Demonstrates Appropriate Knowledge: The graduate has general knowledge across a broad spectrum of liberal arts and sciences and possesses discipline specific knowledge at a level appropriate for the chosen teaching field.
5. Fosters Student Well-being to Support Learning: The graduate interacts with students, school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community to foster student well-being and learning.
6. Assumes the Role of Professional Teacher: The graduate acts in accordance with structure, standards and responsibilities of the profession and recognizes the role of the school in supporting a democratic society.

Program Requirements

¹

A minimum of 30 semester credit hours must be completed in residence at Clayton State University. At least 21 of the 30 hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level) hours counted toward program requirements other than free electives.

²

EDUC 3030 Exploring-Exceptional Learner, EDUC 3033 Individual & Class Management, EDUC 3035 Curriculum and Instruction, EDUC 3040 ELL Principles and Strategies may be taken prior to certification program acceptance, per approval by the Elementary Education Program Coordinator.

³

EDUC 3410 Culturally Responsive Instruct may be taken as a transfer course.

⁴

The concentration and internship requirements should be taken in sequence during the same school calendar year.

Please Note: This is a suggested course sequence and assumes a starting freshman with no prior college credit who intends to complete their degree in four years. Students should consult with their academic advisor and review the course prerequisites and minimum grade requirements as seen in the Academic Catalog.