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Elementary Education
Gifted and caring elementary educators are in high demand throughout the United States. If you dream of inspiring and sharing your love of learning with children, earning a degree from one of the University of Central Missouri’s Elementary Education programs will help you achieve your career goals.
Our focus on experiential learning throughout the entire college journey, combined with individual faculty support, helps our graduates stand out from the crowd. In fact, we boast a 99% placement rate after graduation — with most of our students finding a job even before graduation.
UCM Elementary Education programs prepare you for many career options
- Grades 1–6: Few individuals are as impactful on a student’s life as elementary teachers. For over 150 years, our program has given aspiring teachers the resources, tools and clinical experience to be effective in the classroom and become every student’s favorite teacher.
- Mathematics specialist: If you’re a current teacher and would like to enhance your skills at teaching math or want to take on more responsibilities at your current school, our mathematics programs will prepare you to excel as a math coach, math resource teacher or math curriculum specialist.
- Early childhood education: Do you dream of helping children build strong foundations on which to grow throughout elementary, middle and high school? Our Early Childhood Birth–Grade 3 option might be ideal for you. Learn about the value of play and curiosity in education while observing children learn and grow in real classrooms.
- Special education: Our Special Education programs help students master adaptive education strategies to ensure that their lessons are accessible to every student, regardless of learning style or disability.
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ContactDr. Natalie Tye Department of Early, Elementary, Middle and Physical Education |
99% job placement rate
Helping aspiring teachers for 150+ years
Small class sizes
Emphasis on real-world learning
Fully CAEP-accredited programs
Alumni in over 75% of MO school districts
Find your Elementary Education future at UCM
When you earn a degree from one of our Elementary Education programs, you invest not only in your future but in your students’ futures, as well:
- Experiential learning: Beginning in your freshman year, you will have many chances to go into real schools and work with children and faculty to build the knowledge and skills to enter your own classroom with confidence. From reading to students and observing teachers to teaching small groups and managing classes, you’ll gain valuable experience and make professional connections that can help you find a great position in the school of your choice.
- Accreditation: UCM is the longest continuously CAEP-accredited public institution in Missouri. This means that when you graduate from one of our Elementary Education programs, you’ll leave with a degree that is nationally recognized and respected for meeting the high standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
- Experienced faculty: Learn from faculty mentors with years of experience as elementary teachers, instructional coaches and school administrators. Thanks to our small class sizes, you’ll have the attention of and support from UCM faculty every step of the way — whether in the classroom or out in the field in schools.
Future Teacher Academy
Truly great teachers are almost always inspired by the teachers they had in school. We want to help those students who are inspired to teach, and we believe that it’s never too early to learn about the impact they can make on the world as a teacher. Our Future Teacher Academy brings middle and high school students from across Missouri to UCM to hear from and meet faculty and current students. This is a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to begin sharing their love of education with others in hopes of inspiring them to pursue their dreams of teaching.
What can you do with a degree in one of UCM’s Elementary Education programs?
Teaching is one of the most valuable and impactful career fields available. As an elementary teacher, you’ll help shape the minds of future leaders, innovators and — possibly — teachers.
Our graduates teach throughout Missouri, representing more than 75% of the state’s school districts. Thanks to the various clinical experiences we offer, our graduates are prepared to teach in a variety of settings, including rural, city and suburban school districts. For students who are interested in teaching outside Missouri after graduation, our advisors can help you transfer your teaching license.
A degree from our Elementary Education programs will prepare you for a range of rewarding careers, including:
- Elementary teacher
- Mathematics teacher
- Mathematics tutor
- Special education teacher
- Preschool teacher
- Early childhood teacher
Undergraduate Majors and Minors
- Elementary Education, BSE - Early Childhood Option
- Elementary Education: Grades 1-6, BSE
- Middle School Junior High School, BSE - Business Education
- Middle School Junior High School, BSE - Engineering and Technology
- Middle School Junior High School, BSE - General Science
- Middle School Junior High School, BSE - Language Arts
- Middle School Junior High School, BSE - Math
- Middle School Junior High School, BSE - Social Science
- Middle School Junior High School, BSE - Speech
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