Education with Teaching Certification in Grades PreK– 4 (B.S.)

Program Overview

The PreK-4 Education Program prepares students to teach pre-school, kindergarten, and grades 1 through 4 in public or private institutions. The major emphasis is on the growth and development of “the whole child” with developmentally appropriate instructional activities.

Through the academic program, faculty advising, and extensive field experiences, students are broadly prepared for effective teaching in elementary schools and early childhood settings. Thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities are developed in critical areas such as instructional planning, instructional delivery, assessment, and classroom management. Particular attention also is given to subject matter preparation.

Effective early childhood and elementary school teaching requires an extensive knowledge base that represents many curricular domains. Students develop this knowledge base by studying a wide variety of subjects such as English, psychology, sociology, history, philosophy, biology, fine arts, mathematics, physical science, language arts, health, social studies, and geography. In addition, students have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of a particular subject of their choice by completing a 12-credit disciplinary focus.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Education program can:

1. Develop skills common to the liberal arts and sciences: research, analysis, reflection, and communication.
2. Develop knowledge common to the liberal arts and sciences in the fields of arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Students will also develop specialized knowledge and disciplinary expertise.
3. Develop informed and mature convictions about Christian faith and practice.
4. Become proficient in the scholarship of their discipline and demonstrate specialized skills needed to pursue a career and/or graduate school.
5. Gain awareness of identity, character, and vocational calling.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to service, reconciliation, and justice, and lead effectively and ethically within the complexities of an increasingly diverse and interdependent world.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

Three credits from the following:

Note: All students who major in PreK– 4 must complete a twelve-credit Disciplinary Focus to provide depth in an academic discipline other than Education. Students elect twelve credits from a single academic discipline (or two closely related disciplines) other than Education. The twelve credits may not overlap with any other QuEST or major Requirements. Course selections must be approved by the advisor and the Department of Education chair. Students who wish to complete a college-approved minor will need to take additional courses.

QuEST Requirements

*The non-western requirement is only waived if students take ENGL 160.