Elementary Education (Pre K-4) BLS
The Elementary Education PK4 major is an accredited program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and aligned with PDE requirements for teacher certification in PK4. Students will also engage with content and pedagogical approaches relevant to grades 5 and 6. Throughout the Elementary Education PK4 program, students integrate theory with practice through coursework and field experiences in PK4 classrooms.
All undergraduate programs at the University are built upon a strong liberal arts curriculum provided through the General Education Program (GEP) at Saint Joseph’s University. This enables students in the Elementary Education PK4 program to integrate their understanding of interdisciplinary content with an understanding of developmentally appropriate pedagogy.
The General Education Program (GEP) at Saint Joseph’s University involves a distinctive liberal arts education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. General education is essential to the University’s mission, providing all students with the broad knowledge, essential skills, appreciation of diversity, and ethically informed perspective needed by those who would aspire to be “men and women for others.” The GEP ensures mastery of skills required for further study, exposes students to the principal achievements and problems of the major fields of human learning, and introduces them to new disciplines that they may or may not wish to pursue. The Major component gives depth in a particular field and is thus a preparation for an effective career or for graduate study in that field. Free or general electives allow students to pursue interests, explore new fields, or to continue concentration in their major.
The Degree Completion Education Program (GEP) applies to students who are completing a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) or Bachelor of Business Administration degrees (BBA).
The Degree Completion GEP is comprised of Signature Core, Variable Core, Integrative Learning courses and a Diversity Overlay.
Signature Core
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHL 154 | Moral Foundations | 3 |
| THE 154 | Catholic Theological Tradition (or THE 153 Encountering the New Testament, or THE 155 Catholic Social Tradition) | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Texts & Contexts | 3 |
| HIS 154 | Forging the Modern World | 3 |
| Any course certified as Faith & Reason | 3 | |
| Any course in written and oral communication | ||
Variable Core
-
One approved course in Art, Literature, or Music, Theater, Film.
-
One course in the Natural Sciences (lab-based or lecture based) in biology, chemistry, environmental science, or physics.
-
Two courses in Mathematics. BLS degree majors require MAT 101 or higher; BBA degree majors require MAT 103 (or MAT 120 precalculus) and MAT 123 (or an alternate calculus course).
-
One course in a Non-Native Language (e.g., SPA 111-SPA 112) or one approved alternative course in Literature in Translation or Classics. Students who are bilingual may request an exemption for the language requirement from the Department of Linguistics and Languages.
-
One course in the Social-Behavioral Sciences including Political Science, Economics, Sociology, and Psychology. Please note that some majors require a specific course.
-
One course that is certified as a Philosophical Anthropology course.
-
One course from Religious Studies or Theology that is certified as a Religious Difference course.
- ENG 101 Craft of Language.
Integrative Learning Courses
(2 courses required)
- Courses approved for ILC requirements will vary by major. Some majors have specific courses that must be taken.
Overlay
- Adult Learner Program students are required to complete one couse that is certified as a diversity overlay.
Free Electives
Except for Early Childhood/Elementary Pre K-4 Education majors, all students must complete a minimum of 18 free elective credits. Elective credits may be used to pursue a minor or secondary major.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science- GEP | ||
| EDU 151 | Cognition & Learning w/ Field | 3 |
GEP Integrative Learning Component
Two courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field | 3 |
| HIS 201 | U.S. History to 1877 | 3 |
| or HIS 202 | U.S. History since 1865 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDU 121 | Child Development | 3 |
| EDU 151 | Cognition & Learning w/ Field 1 | 3 |
| EDU 231 | Assessment and Evaluation 2 | 3 |
| EDU 155 | Found of Early Child w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 160 | Schools in Society w/ Field 3 | 3 |
| EDU 232 | Literacy/Literature I w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 240 | Literacy/Literature II w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 246 | Language and Culture w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 265 | Teaching Math in PK2 w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 362 | Soc Stud Thru Arts PK4 w/Field | 3 |
| EDU 363 | Science Methods PK-4 w/ Field | 3 |
| EDU 366 | Teaching Math Gr. 3-6 w/Field | 3 |
| SPE 160 | Intro to Special Edu w/Field 4 | 3 |
| SPE 205 | Inclusive Classrooms w/ Field | 3 |
| SPE 379 | Fam School & Comm:Diverse Soc | 3 |
| Student Teaching | ||
| EDU 495 | ECE Student Teaching | 12 |
| Total Hours | 57 | |
- 1
Also satisfies the GEP Social/Behavioral Science requirement
- 2
GEP Ethics Intensive
- 3
EDU 140 Public Schools & Social Equality in Urban Environments may substitute for this course
- 4
Integrative Learning Component