Elementary Education K-6 Program Details

Bethel’s B.S. in Elementary Education K-6 program is designed for students who want to earn their first bachelor’s degree and qualify to seek initial Minnesota teacher licensure. Along with completing your general education requirements, you’ll take core elementary education courses that align with Minnesota’s Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) elementary education standards. You’ll complete evidence-based online courses that integrate learning with real-world experience. In-person seminar intensives throughout the program connect you, your mentor teacher, and Bethel faculty in reflective, hands-on learning designed to strengthen your teaching and prepare you to lead your own classroom with confidence.

If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, Bethel offers a licensure-only program and an M.A. in Elementary Education K-6.

Total credits

45

Finish in as few as

24 months

Courses

• Community, Self and Formation (CORE300)

  An exploration of self in the world, based on personal experience and classical spiritual practices. Students are challenged to think systemically about contexts of family, faith community, workplace and broader culture as they plan for lifelong formation and contribution to the well-being of others.

  4 credits

• Examining Crucial Questions (CORE330H)

  Summary of the Christian biblical narrative. Identification of the roles of scripture, history, experience, and reason, as they form convictions related to social and ethical issues. Examination of selected theological concepts using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, as well as the application of those concepts to real life situations.

  4 credits

• Teaching Reading (including Field Experience) (SPED322)

  Identifies relationships among reading, writing, oral language, comprehension, and instructional strategies. Describes English language structure, word identification, and the role of vocabulary. Analyzes texts for K-6 classrooms, assesses reading and writing needs, and applies instruction strategies. Connects personal faith with professional teaching responsibilities.

  4 credits

• School-Wide Field Experience (TEAC395)

  Supervised observation in K-12 inclusive education setting. Analysis of student needs, classroom environments, and related cultural factors. Development of a personal standard for effective teaching. Implementation of effective lesson plans. Impact of personal faith on the special education teacher role.

  2 credits

• Foundations of Education (TEAC521)

  Introduction to the teaching profession and focus on influences shaping education. History, philosophy, psychology, sociology, legal matters, reform, and other current education issues. Student mental health and impact of chemicals in student lives, families, and schools. Personal growth planning, collaboration, and connection between professional responsibilities and personal faith and values.

  2 credits

• Educational Psychology (TEAC524)

  Identifies approaches to K–12 student development, learning, and performance and structures effective learning environments. Explores language acquisition, cultural influences, early assessment theory, and current issues. Examines learning and behavior theories that inform instruction and integrates Christian or personal faith perspectives on learning.

  4 credits

• General Methods of Instruction (TEAC526)

  Develops effective lesson and long-range plans, assessments, and evaluations. Designs lessons that integrate diverse instructional strategies and leverage student assets, including language and culture. Examines appropriate data practices for student assessment and progress. Plans opportunities using culturally responsive practices to engage all students, especially multilingual learners and historically marginalized populations.

  4 credits

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Education (TEAC528)

  Identifies various groups in American communities and develops skills for culturally affirming communication and collaboration. Examines Minnesota-based American Tribal Nations and communities. Analyzes how biases, discrimination, prejudice, racism, and sexism affect student learning and personal identity. Recognizes the impact of school environments and practices on equitable education delivery.

  4 credits

• Teaching Health and PE: Content and Methods (TEAC646)

  Exploration of principles, curriculum, and methods of teaching health and physical education in grades K-6. Analysis of the role of the teacher and school in responding to the special health and physical education needs of elementary-age students.

  2 credits

Licensure 

Bethel University cannot confirm whether courses or programs meet requirements for professional licensure in states outside of Minnesota. Students should contact their program's licensing bureau to determine whether Bethel's program meets requirements for licensure in their state.