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Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Combining contemporary best practices in teaching with mindfulness and wisdom traditions, the Elementary Education Major emphasizes the development of students’ capacities to teach with presence and compassion in order to meet the complex needs of today’s diverse classrooms. This major spans a broad scope of coursework including education, math, science, social studies and literature as well as personal contemplative practices, and is designed to position students to obtain K-6 elementary teacher licensure (applicable in public and private schools) as part of their major requirements.

Grounded in contemplative, as well as culturally and linguistically diverse pedagogies, the Elementary Education Major develops the skills required for creating compassionate, engaged, and effective learning environments while meeting the Teacher Quality Standards, the Colorado Academic Standards, and the Colorado Elementary Content Standards required by the Colorado Department of Education.

With careful degree planning, up to 12 credits of the major requirements can fulfill BA Core Curriculum Area Requirements.

Student Teaching and Field Placement/Practicum

Students perform a total of 800 hours of field placement/practicum and student teaching. Students should plan their schedules taking into account field placement requirements. Student teaching in a public or private elementary school is required in the last semester. Student teaching is a full-time job as pre-service candidates are the facilitator of learning in the classroom.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Endorsement

Naropa University’s delivery of this endorsement prepares students to teach in culturally and linguistically diverse public and private school environments with presence and compassion. The curriculum required by the Colorado Department of Education to fulfill the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Endorsement is contained in specialized courses and interwoven into courses across the program. Unlike many other Teacher Licensure Programs, upon completion of this course of study, students will have satisfied both the Teacher Licensure credentialing requirements and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Endorsement, through the Colorado Department of Education, increasing their marketability and cultural responsiveness.

Required Courses

Gateway

Foundational Courses (9)

A formal Application for Continuance in the Teacher Licensure Program must be submitted after completing the Gateway courses.

Milestone

Transformational Practices (15)

Contemplative Study & Pratice (11)

Choose 3 credits

Choose at least 2 credits

Language and Communication (12)

Numeric Literacy (9)

  • EDU315 Math for Teachers: Content, Curriculum, and Mathematics Education (3)
  • Other mathematics credits needed (6) 
    Six credits of mathematics courses that address the following: Engages students in the concepts of school mathematics, including the recognition of numerical and geometric patterns and their application to a variety of mathematical situations; mathematical problem-solving, reasoning, critical thinking, and communication; algebraic thinking, representation, analysis, manipulation, generalizations and extensions, problem solving involving probability, elementary statistical concepts, congruence and similarity, the metric system, and motion geometry and tessellation.*  

Systems and Cycles (6)

  • EDU300 Nature and Education (3)
  • Other science credits needed (3) 
    Three credits of a science course that address the following: Examines the nature of energy and matter, their interactions and changes, and the application of fundamental concepts to the study of our natural world, integrating the fundamental concepts and ideas about the nature of physics and chemistry with the natural world.*

Artistic Process (3)

Our Place in the World (9)

World Language (6)

Capstone

Choose one of the following:

Students must satisfactorily complete all Gateway and Milestone courses prior to Student Teaching. In addition, students must pass the elementary PRAXIS exam (fees associated with the exam are the responsibility of the student).

State Licensure Track (13)

or


Non-State Licensure Track (6)

State Licensure Track - Total Credits: 93
Non-State Licensure Track - Total Credits: 86

*May be satisfied through Advanced Placement (AP), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or transfer credit (through an individual consortium agreement if financial aid is needed). Contact your academic advisor for details.