Help Young Minds Thrive: Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at USCA.
Nurture the students who will grow up to be tomorrow’s leaders with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. The elementary education degree at the University of South Carolina Aiken uses a diverse and thorough curriculum to prepare you to teach grades 2–6.
When you major in elementary education, you’ll take classes as a cohort in a sequence designed to give you well-rounded expertise in everything from subject matter pedagogy to classroom management and beyond. In addition, our elementary education major is structured to give you opportunities for 100 hours of classroom observation or direct teaching experience prior to your full semester of student teaching.
Program Highlights
USCA’s Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education provides a broad foundation of knowledge that empowers you to become an effective elementary school teacher. In addition to robust coursework, the elementary education degree includes:
750+ hours of classroom experience
When you pursue your major in elementary education, you will complete a total of at least 750 hours of hands-on experience. Most of this will be accomplished during a student teaching internship that gives you a taste of being a full-time educator. Before that, you’ll also have opportunities for an additional 100 hours of classroom observation and direct teaching experience.
Faculty with experience as K–12 teachers
Teaching is a profession unlike anything else, and the best insights come from people who have worked in it. That’s why the faculty teaching courses for the Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education are all classroom teachers who can draw on the wisdom of their own experiences.
Cohort learning
You’ll move through your elementary education degree as a cohort, taking a planned sequence of courses alongside other students getting teaching bachelor’s degrees. Form a community with your fellow students in the elementary education major as you complete your journey toward becoming educators.
A variety of practical experiences
Elementary education majors have opportunities to gain experience with different age levels and different types of public school settings, including a U.S. Department of Defense school. On campus, look for opportunities to volunteer in the Ruth Patrick Science Education Center for even more hands-on experience.
“The USCA School of Education puts the students first. The faculty want the best for our future, and they push us to new limits we never expected of ourselves.”
Fourth Grade ELA/Social Studies Teacher at Barnwell Elementary School
Course Highlights
The curriculum for the Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at USCA has been designed to give you the breadth of knowledge needed to be a well-rounded educator. It has also been proven to be excellent preparation for the state certification exam, as our teaching bachelor’s degree students have a 92% pass rate. This elementary education major is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Elementary education degree students take courses in subject-specific pedagogies, classroom management, developmental psychology, and more. All of this culminates in a student teaching internship and senior seminar in your final semester.
Some highlights of the courses for the Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education include:
- Introduction to Educational Psychology
- Children’s Literature
- STEM in Elementary School
- Lifespan Growth & Development
- Dynamics of American Public Education
Employment offers from partner school districts.
Pass rate on state certification exams.
What can you do with an Elementary Education degree?
Of course, a teaching bachelor’s degree prepares you for the primary job. But your major in elementary education can be used in a myriad of settings, from public and private schools to after-school programs, overseas opportunities, and more.
Measurable Success
Career Opportunities
Let's Get Started
Your next adventure is just around the corner, and USCA can help you take the next step. Whether you’re visiting, ready to apply, or simply want more information, we're ready to help you make a decision that could change your life.