Elementary Education, B.S.ED.

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The elementary education curriculum includes a solid core of general education and content courses designed to provide a broad background for prospective teachers by developing knowledge, skills and attitudes, that lead to effective teaching and provides the courses necessary for certification in K-12 Educational Technology Endorsement. Many courses in the major require participation in field experiences prior to yearlong residency / student teaching.

System-Wide General Education Requirement (30 Credits)

Majors must take MATH 114 (or a course requiring MATH 114 as a prerequisite), EPSY 210 and INED 211 as part of the System-wide General Education Requirement.

No grade less than a “C” in MATH 114 , ENGL 101, SPCM 101, EPSY 210 and INED 211.

Note

Students must complete 30 hours of system-wide general education courses in their first 64 credit hours.

¹ No grade less than a “C” - must be completed prior to admission to Teacher Education.

²Requires field experience.

Professional Education Courses (82 Credits)

All professional education courses require a grade of “C” or better.

Choose one course from the following (3 credits)
CIS 123 - Problem Solving and Programming 3 credits
CIS 130 - Visual Basic Programming 3 credits
CSC 150 - Computer Science I 3 credits
CIS 350 - Computer Hardware, Data Communications and Networking 3 credits
CSC 105 - Introduction to Computers 3 credits
EDFN 295 - Practicum: Pre-Admission 1 credit
EDFN 300 - Survey of Middle Level Education 1 credit
EDFN 338 - Foundations of American Education 1-2 credits (2 credits required)¹
EDFN 365 - Computer-Based Technology & Learning 2-3 credits (3 credits required)
EDFN 475 - Human Relations 3 credits
ELED 303 - Earth and Physical Science for Elementary Teachers 3-4 credits (4 credits required)
ELED 303L - Earth and Physical Science for Elementary Teachers Lab 0 credits
EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology 2-3 credits (3 credits required)¹
LIBM 205 - Children’s Literature 2 credits
MATH 341 - Math Concepts for Teachers I 3 credits
MATH 342 - Math Concepts for Teachers II 3 credits
SPED 100 - Introduction to Persons with Exceptionalities 2-3 credits (3 credits required) ¹
Note: Admission to the Teacher Education Program is required for the remaining courses.
EDER 415 - Educational Assessment 2 credits
EDFN 401 - Methods of Educational Technology 1 credit
EDFN 440 - Classroom Management 1-3 credits (2 credits required)
EDFN 465 - Multimedia Web Development in Education 2-3 credits (2 credits required)
ELED 310 - K-8 Methods of Music, Art and Drama 2 credits
ELED 320 - K-8 Science Methods 2-3 credits (3 credits required) ²
ELED 330 - K-8 Math Methods 2-3 credits (3 credits required) ²
ELED 360 - K-8 Social Science Methods 2-3 credits ²
ELED 361 - Social Science for Elementary Teachers 2 credits
ELED 440 - K-8 Language Arts Methods 2-3 credits (2 credits required)
ELED 450 - K-8 Reading Methods 2-3 credits (3 credits required) ²
ELED 454 - Literacy: Data Based Reflective Teaching 2-3 credits (2 credits required) ²
ELED 459 - Introduction to Literacy Assessment and Remediation 1-3 credits (3 credits required) ²
ELED 462 - Teaching English: New Language 2 credits
ELED 488 - K-8 Student Teaching 2-16 credits (8 credits required)
HLTH 420 - K-12 Methods of Health Instruction 1-3 credits (1 credit required)
PE 360 - K-8 Physical Education Methods 1-2 credits (1 credit required) ^₂
SPED 441 - Inclusive Methods for Diverse Learners 1-2 credits (2 credits required)
SPED 460 - Family Systems and Professional Collaboration 2-3 credits (2 credits required)

Electives (8 Credits)

Yearlong Residency / Student Teaching

Teacher candidates complete a yearlong residency / student teaching capstone experience during the final two semesters prior to graduation. Placements are made in districts with which the College of Education has a formal partnership and whose personnel are trained in the co-teaching model. Out-of-area placements are not granted for the yearlong residency / student teaching experience.

Teaching Certification and Licensure

Dakota State University (DSU) Educator Preparation Programs are approved by the South Dakota State Board of Education. Dakota State University is a regionally accredited post-secondary institution. All students completing Teacher Certification programs through Dakota State University will be recommended for an initial South Dakota Teaching License regardless of the

state in which they reside while completing the coursework. Therefore, out-of-state applicants will want to verify the licensure and certification requirements for their state of interest.

Students who successfully complete Educator Preparation Programs at Dakota State University are eligible to receive a recommendation for the applicable teaching certification in the State of South Dakota. All education graduates are encouraged to apply for South Dakota certification immediately upon completion of their degree.

Teacher education graduates may also be eligible for Dakota State University recommendation for certification in other states. Teaching certification/licensure requirements vary among states. Dakota State University cannot confirm the graduate will be immediately certified outside of South Dakota and is researching certification/licensure outside of South Dakota. If you are seeking certification or licensure, you will want to contact the appropriate governing body in your state. The U.S. Department of Education hyperlink will help you learn more about certification in your state: http://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html. Please contact the College of Education Office regarding licensure certification outside of South Dakota at 605-256-5177.

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