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. You’ll begin with a generalist education so you’ll be qualified to teach all subjects. Then, you will choose from one of our two emphasis areas focused on high-needs subjects — mathematics and science or literacy, culture and diversity. A diverse range of field experiences will help you hone your skills early in the program. Clemson has the only program in the state that allows you to enter specialty areas or to focus on elementary-level English as a second language (ESOL). In addition, the program features the nationally acclaimed Call Me MISTER® program, which is dedicated to increasing the number of teachers from diverse backgrounds.
FAST FACTS
- Our program is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI).
- We have the only program in the state with elementary English as a second language (ESOL) classes.
- In the mathematics and science emphasis area our students take more of these courses than any other program in South Carolina.
- 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.
During the second semester of your junior year, you can choose to specialize in one of two high-needs areas. 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
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Similar Majors
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Early Childhood Education (B.A.)
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Special Education (B.A.)
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.
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.
WHERE OUR RECENT GRADUATES HAVE GONE
KEY
- 41-100%
- 21-40%
- 11-20%
- 0-10%
RECENT EMPLOYERS
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Third Grade Teacher
Fort Mill School District, S.C.
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Fourth Grade Teacher
Anderson School District Five, S.C.
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Fifth Grade Teacher
Forsyth County Schools, Ga.
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Second Grade Teacher
School District of Pickens County, S.C.
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Second Grade Teacher
Anderson School District One, S.C.
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Third Grade Teacher
Houston Independent School District, Texas
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Fifth Grade Teacher
Greenville County Schools, S.C.
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Third Grade Teacher
School District of Oconee County, S.C.
RECENT POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
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M.Ed.
University of Virginia
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M.Ed.
Clemson University
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Master in Speech Pathology
University of South Carolina
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M.Ed.
University of Texas at 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
- Teaching
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.
Michelle Cook
Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs
864-656-3191
educationundergrad@clemson.edu