Bachelor of Science in Elementary-Middle Education

Take on an enriching and fulfilling career by studying a BS in Education

The Marian University Bachelor of Science in Elementary-Middle Education program helps those looking to make a lasting positive impact on children in grades 1-8. Gain the knowledge and extensive field experience, starting your freshman year, needed to become an effective teacher.

Graduating with an Elementary-Middle Education degree, you will have earned the Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Education certification and licensure needed to become an elementary and middle school teacher in the state of Wisconsin. As a certified teacher, you will guide your students as they progress from early childhood through adolescence. Having learned how to design differentiated coursework and assessments you will graduate knowing how to encourage critical thinking, collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills for all students.

Learn how to pursue your passion for teaching

OBSERVE

As a freshman and sophomore, your introductory field experiences will expose you to our Whole Child Education philosophy. You will be actively engaged in the learning process as we cover teaching strategies, classroom management practices, and student development.

ENGAGE

As a sophomore and junior, you will be actively engaged in the learning process through a study of theoretical models and best practices in the elementary of middle school settings. You will also broaden your worldview of diversity and culturally responsive practices.

DEMONSTRATE

In your final year, you will have the opportunity and responsibility to demonstrate your understanding of the planning-teaching-assessment cycle. Throughout your pre-clinical and clinical practices, our experienced faculty will provide scaffolding and ongoing feedback on your knowledge, skills, and teaching dispositions. You will be well prepared to meet Wisconsin licensure requirements.

Job Outlook For Teachers

Career Paths Median Salary Job Growth
Elementary School Teacher $59,450 3%
Middle School Teacher $59,660 3%
High School Teacher $61,660 3%

Source: BLS 8/1/2020

Working Toward the Classroom

The Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary-Middle Education offers:

  • An advisor who will guide you in planning out your schedule and progression to licensure
  • First-semester field experience in our partner schools, as well as in each methods course
  • The chance to experience private and public classroom settings in various grade levels
  • One-on-one attention from experienced faculty and differentiated learning experiences
  • An extensive network of reputable school districts and experienced teachers for assistance with job placement following graduation
  • Access to professional development and networking resources, such as the Marian Student Education Association and Kappa Delta Pi
  • A full school year of experience utilizing the same clinical site for pre-clinical and clinical practice

Learn More About Being an Elementary or Middle School Teacher

Gain hands-on experience from your first semester onward. By the end of your program, you will receive a variety of learning opportunities in different schools and settings. Grow your knowledge base as you work with individual students in actual classrooms learning structure, routine, and discipline. Integrate theories learned in textbooks and from your teacher mentors and apply them to your future career as an elementary or middle school teacher.

Student engagement is very important at Marian with the use of small group collaboration, integrating technology, and experiencing various communication techniques. Graduate ready to manage your own classroom!

Bachelor of Science in Elementary-Middle Education Curriculum

The Elementary-Middle Education program prepares you to teach grades 1-8. Through a holistic approach, you will engage in a challenging curriculum that will help you understand child and early adolescent development, assess learning, and engage in an applied teaching approach through age-appropriate curriculum and teaching methodology. The program will prepare you for certification and licensure in the state of Wisconsin and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree.

Licensure: Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence Education, Ages 6-12 or 13 (Grades 1-8)

Academic Catalog
FACULTY DIRECTORY

General Education Courses

As a bachelor’s level student, you are required to take about 30 credits of general education courses as part of the 120 credits required for a bachelor’s degree.  Gen eds are required regardless of your major.

All students take 10.5 to 17 credits in these areas:

  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Argumentative and Research Writing
  • Introduction to Christian Theology
  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Introduction to Ethical Reasoning
  • First Year Studies

Core Courses

Elementary-Middle Education majors will take courses covering topics such as:

  • Language arts curriculum and methods
  • Math for elementary school teachers
  • Art foundations for educators
  • Children’s literature
  • Primary mathematics curriculum and methods

Teacher Education Department Mission
The mission of the Elementary-Middle Education program is to prepare candidates for the teaching profession by providing them with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to develop the pedagogical, content and technological skills necessary to function effectively as a teacher.

Program Learning Outcomes
After completion of this program, candidates will demonstrate:

  1. An understanding of the teaching standards, including the knowledge, skills and dispositions expected of a professional teacher.
  2. Academic competence in a broad base of general education and in a major appropriate for the licensure being sought and demonstrate knowledge of a variety of effective teaching methods and materials (including technology) which utilize skills that effectively apply content knowledge and knowledge of children and adolescents to the learning environment.
  3. The ability to design instruction effectively using a variety of instructional strategies and adapting instruction to encourage the development of critical thinking, problem solving and performance skills for all students. Candidates also reflect on the instructional process to improve future teaching and learning experiences.
  4. An understanding and an ability to design, assess and evaluate (both formal and informal) assessments for student learning and reflects on the assessment process to improve future teaching and learning experiences.
  5. An understanding of a diverse student population and apply appropriate instructional strategies and assessments that acknowledge sensitivity to students’ diverse learning needs.

Admission to the Education Department

  1. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 upon completion of 40 credits
  2. Meeting one of the following criteria:
    1. Reported passing scores on all components of the Praxis Core tests (Required: Reading-156, Writing-162, Math-150
    2. ACT score of 23 or SAT score of 1030
    3. score of “Sufficient” or higher in Mathematics, English and Essay sections of the Accuplacer exam
  3. Successful completion of EDU 101: Introduction to Education (grade of “C” or better)
  4. Proficiency in speaking and listening (grade of “C” or better in COM 101 or COM 232)
  5. Completion of EDU 202: Psychology of Learning (grade of “C” or better)
  6. Successful completion of EDU 290: Introduction to Clinical Practice (grade of “C” or better)
  7. Submission of three Professional Disposition Performance Assessments