Elementary Education (B.A.)

ABOUT

Channel your love of children, learning and helping to shape the future by majoring in elementary education. This program will prepare you to teach grades two through six. A diverse range of field experiences will help you hone your skills early in the program. In addition, the elementary education major features the nationally acclaimed Call Me MISTER® program, which is dedicated to increasing the number of teachers from diverse backgrounds.

FAST FACTS

  • The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), formerly NCATE, and recognized by the South Carolina Department of Education for adhering to Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) standards.
  • We have the only program in the state with elementary English as a second language (ESOL) classes.
  • Our students exceed by 73 hours the state's minimum requirement for field hours before student teaching.
  • Our 72-day student teaching internship exceeds the state's certification requirements for student teaching by 12 days.

WHAT YOU'LL STUDY

In your freshman year, you'll begin with an orientation into the field of education focusing on what it means to be an educator and how your role as a teacher will impact future generations of citizens. During your first three semesters, you'll concentrate on increasing your content knowledge in subjects you’ll teach in the elementary classroom — social sciences, English language arts, mathematics and science.

During your fourth and fifth semesters, you’ll begin to explore theory and pedagogy within the profession of education, and you’ll take courses in child development, educational foundations, assessment and special education. Once you enter the professional development sequence, you’ll take pedagogical methods courses and learn how to teach art, physical education, science, mathematics, reading, social studies and English language arts.

Your senior year will focus on field experiences in which you’ll spend each day in a second- to sixth-grade classroom, partnering with a highly qualified practicing teacher so you can experience firsthand what it’s like to educate young learners in a school setting.

Popular Minors

  • American Sign Language Studies
  • Modern Languages
  • Music
  • Psychology
  • Sociology

EXPERIENCES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

The College of Education is committed to providing all students with purposeful, challenging and diverse experiences. It is through a range of carefully constructed, challenging and classroom-based instruction and field-based experiences that students recognize the inherent dignity and value of all individuals, promote equity in education and advocate on behalf of children, families and communities.

Conduct research through Creative Inquiry projects like the
You can gain firsthand experience working with children in this University-sponsored intervention program at local elementary schools. This after-school program provides academic assistance, physical recreation and goal-setting exercises.
Damian Williams talks about how he is being prepared to be an elementary school teacher.
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society dedicated to scholarship and educational excellence. Clemson's chapter is the oldest chapter in the state. The organization fosters mutual cooperation, support and professional guidance.
Clemson University International Literacy Association Student Council strives to promote reading instruction and to provide a professional organization for preservice teachers. Members are students, faculty or staff members of the University.
America Reads is a program that allows work-study students and student volunteers to tutor children at Clemson Elementary School. The University has developed a partnership with this school and its after-school program.
Maymester in Italy provides a cross-cultural experience for education majors. You'll be exposed to Italian culture and approach to education, while living with an Italian family and working with local teachers and students.

CONNECT WITH OTHER STUDENTS

AFTER GRADUATION

Your college decision isn't really about the next four years. We get it. It's about what doors are opened by your degree and whether those opportunities are what you had envisioned for yourself. Here's a snapshot of what life after graduation looks like for some of our most recent students.

RECENT EMPLOYERS

  • Second grade Teacher

    Greenville County Schools, S.C.

  • Third grade Teacher

    Greenville County Schools, S.C.

  • Fifth grade Teacher

    Lexington County School District 1, S.C.

  • Third grade Teacher

    Greenwood School District 50, S.C.

  • Fourth grade Teacher

    Anderson County School District 5, S.C.

  • Fifth grade Teacher

    Orangeburg Consolidated School District #5, S.C.

  • First grade teacher

    Guilford County Schools, N.C.

RECENT POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

  • M.Ed. Teaching and Learning

    Clemson University

  • M.Ed.

    University of Virginia

  • M.S. Speech Pathology

    University of South Carolina

  • M.S. Speech Pathology

    Radford University

    Austin

COMMON CAREER AREAS

    • Most graduates go on to teach in the state and region, while some continue with graduate education.
    • Second through sixth grades

FIND OUT MORE

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact. If you’d also like to receive general University information from Clemson’s admissions office, please follow the link to the right and sign up to join our mailing list.

Valerie Oonk

Academic Adviser
864-656-3482
vwhite@clemson.edu

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