Warning! Your browser is extremely outdated and not web standards compliant.
Your browsing experience would greatly improve by upgrading to a modern browser.

Visit Apply Contact

Elementary Education

As an educator you will have the privilege and challenge of educating future generations. Grand View's accredited education program is committed to the preparation of teachers of excellence. It is a dynamic and respected teacher-preparation program. Education faculty, in partnership with practicing teachers, model effective teaching and classroom management. Students spend at least two semesters in supervised in-school settings in preparation for the student teaching experience. You'll also learn critical thinking and problem solving strategies and will be coached in the development of a personal teaching philosophy.

Whatever life experiences have made you consider becoming a teacher, Grand View can help you become a great one. Here, you’ll get the knowledge and experience to become a reflective, compassionate, and socially conscious teacher—with the power to create real, long-term change in the communities where you live and work.

Grand View University offers college credit for students who have earned the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy.

Discover Student Success Stories

Vision Statement

Grand View’s Teacher Education Program EMPOWERS teachers, through vibrant learning communities and self-reflection, to be INNOVATIVE, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE, and RESOURCEFUL LEADERS who are empowered to respond to the dynamic needs of learners for a global society.

Degree Level:

Undergraduate Programs

Program Type:

Major

Format:

Full Time, In-Person

Program Catalog Visit Apply Contact

Why Grand View?

Faculty members nurture individual students while holding them accountable on their path to becoming a professional educator.
We are uniquely positioned in Des Moines, Iowa, which allows students to experience urban, suburban and rural classrooms in practicum and student teaching.
Committed to developing teachers who are empowered to meet the diverse needs of today's students.
The Grand View teacher education program is accredited by the Iowa Department of Education.
Earn graduate credit: eligible undergrads can dual-enroll in up to six hours of graduate coursework to count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Student Testimonial

Dr. Jaclyn Easter

“Dr. Easter has gone above and beyond for me on too many occasions to mention. She has encouraged me to present with her at a statewide teacher's conference, encouraged me to take multiple education practicum opportunities, and has overall pushed me to be the strong, confident student teacher I am today. She is truly an amazing woman. My Grand View experience simply would not have been nearly as remarkable without her. That is why Dr. Easter is absolutely deserving of the mentor appreciation award.”

- Madison Green

Program Details

Students who are interested in Elementary Education (K-6) must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in a prescribed liberal arts preeducation program and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA before they are formally admitted to the teacher education program of the University. (See Pre-Education Program and Application for Admission to Teacher Education in sections of the catalog). Elementary Education students must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework required for the major and a minimum 3.0 GPA in coursework required for each additional endorsement. A grade of B or above must be earned in designated courses, and students must earn a grade of C or above in all other courses required for the major, each endorsement, and prerequisite courses. Students must earn a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in all college work. Any request for a change in the sequence of curriculum for the Teacher Education Program must be submitted to the Education Department chair for consideration by the Education Department faculty. Successful completion of these requirements and all other University graduation requirements will lead to program completion, which is required for recommendation for licensure in most states including Iowa.

Note: All Elementary and Secondary Education majors are required to pursue at least one endorsement.

Learn about our DMACC Pathway

Course Requirements (67-68 credits plus 24-29 credits for one additional endorsement)

ENGL 101 or ENGL 220	First Year Composition or Academic English for Multilingual Students II	3 credits or 4 credits
MATH 145	Mathematics for Elementary Teachers I	3 credits
BIOL 100 or BIOL 101 or PHSC 101	How Life Works or General Biology I or Physical and Earth Science	4 credits each
PSYC 101	General Psychology	3 credits
SPCH 103 or SPCH 126	Making Connections or Speaking of Faith and Meaning	3 credits each
EDUC 111	Introduction to Education	3 credits
EDUC 146	Psychology and Development for Educators	3 credits

Additional Prerequisites for courses in the major (4 credits toward General Education Core Requirements): A second science course, whichever was not completed as a pre-education requirement.

BIOL 100 or
BIOL 101 or
PHSC 101

How Life Works or General Biology I; or Physical and Earth Science

4 credits

*These courses will not be counted in computing the GPA for the major, unless required for the content major or endorsements sought.

Remaining Common Core Requirements for All Elementary Education Majors (57-58 credits):

ARTS 142	Methods of Elementary Art Education	1 credit
MUSC 142 or THTR 320	Music for the Elementary Classroom or Theatre Arts for Children	2 credits or 3 credits
EDUC 184	Elementary Health and PE Methods for Classroom Teachers	1 credit
MATH 155	Mathematics for Elementary Teachers II	3 credits
EDUC 280	Social Issues in Education	3 credits
EDUC 243	Instructional Planning & Assessment	3 credits
EDUC 245	Instructional Technologies	2 credits
ENGL 217	Literature for Children and Adolescents	3 credits
One course in HIST, GEOG, or POLS, preferred selection from:
HIST 111 or HIST 112 or HIST 113 or HIST 340 or POLS 110	Colonial and Revolutionary America or The U.S.: Republic to Empire, 1789-1898 or The American Century: U.S. Since 1898 or Iowa History or National Government	3 credits each
EDUC 342	Pedagogies of Exceptional Learners	3 credits
EDUC 306	Education Practicum: Primary Elementary	2 credits
EDUC 307	Education Practicum: Intermediate Elementary	2 credits
EDUC 324	Teaching Reading in the Primary Grades (K-2)	3 credits
EDUC 325	Teaching Literacy in the Intermediate Grades (3-8)	3 credits
EDUC 312	Teaching of Elementary Science	3 credits
EDUC 313	Teaching of Elementary Mathematics	3 credits
EDUC 314	Teaching of Elementary Social Studies	3 credits
EDUC 415	Mental Health First Aid/Trauma Informed Care	1 credit
EDUC 442	Elementary Classroom Management	2 credits
EDUC 420	Elementary Student Teaching	12 credits

Plus all required coursework for any one Elementary Education endorsement. See the appropriate endorsement checklist for a listing of all required coursework.

Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO)

The purpose of the Grand View Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) is to promote and advocate for bilingual/bicultural/ELL education. BESO provides opportunities for students to network, fellowship, support one another and grow through professional development. BESO also seeks to serve/mentor/recruit future bilingual educators and engage with underrepresented populations in the community. Attending and participating in conferences related to bilingual/bicultural/ELL, enhancing leadership skills and connecting with resources are other main purposes of BESO.

In affiliation with the National Association of Bilingual Educators, BESO is the first such group in Iowa.

Earn a Master's degree in Education in 5 years with Grand View's 4+1 program

Grand View University offers a 4+1 program where you can earn a Master of Education in just five years. Program participants begin taking graduate level courses while still working on their undergraduate degree. After obtaining a bachelor's degree, 4+1 program participants will complete the remaining courses within a year - each course running eight weeks. Participants are encouraged to begin teaching during this time.

4+1 Program Timeline

Freshman & Sophomore year	Take undergraduate classes as normal (Now is a great time to begin talking with your academic advisor about your interest in the 4+1)
Junior year	Apply to 4+1 program
Junior year	Begin taking graduate courses alongside undergraduate classes
End of senior year	Graduate with bachelor's degree
End of senior year	Begin regular teaching job
First year of teaching	Complete remaining courses, obtain master's degree

Application Requirements

Must be at junior status before applying and must apply no later than the semester before you expect to graduate with your undergraduate degree.
A Grand View cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a 3.5 cumulative GPA in your education courses is required
Request 3 letters of recommendation: 2 should be from education faculty and 1 can be someone of your choosing. You will request these when you complete the graduate application.
Complete the “Assessment of Dispositional Professional Qualities” with the Education Department
You must demonstrate proficiency in writing through submission of an essay and/or score on a standardized writing exam (such as the CBASE). If you take the CBASE exam you must earn a score of four or higher.
You must be a member in good standing of the Education Program and not on a plan for improvement.

Applicants who do not meet all four of the requirements may still be considered for admission to the program on a case-by-case basis. In these instances, the applicant will be interviewed by the department’s Admission Committee.

Students who are considering this program need to plan carefully as the program requires students to take full loads and perhaps courses in the summer. They are encouraged to begin working with an Education Department advisor as early as possible.

Explore Teaching Endorsements

NET PRICE CALCULATOR

Get an early estimate of your financial aid and costs by entering some basic information. The more accurate your inputs, the more reliable your estimate will be. Keep in mind that these figures are approximations. Your actual financial aid package will be determined based on the details provided in your FAFSA.

Calculate It

Tuition & Scholarships

At Grand View University, your tuition supports instruction delivered by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold our tradition of exceptional teaching. Additionally, we are dedicated to offering a high-quality education at the most affordable cost.

Transfer Credits

No matter what major you’re thinking about, you may be able to transfer in as many as 75 credits from a community college or junior college. If you have an A.A. or A.A.S. from an Iowa community college, you will be automatically admitted at junior status.

Compare Schools Cost Calculator

Use this calculator to compare your potential costs at Grand View to those of other colleges and universities. It is most useful after you've received your financial aid award letters.

Compare Now

AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Lindsay P. Grow, Ed.D. • Worked to build and bring the ELL endorsement to Grand View in 2015, works behind the scenes to make sure the Grand View education program meets current policies and procedures with the Iowa Department of Education, led the accreditation report writing effort in 2016-2017 in preparation for the site visit in 2017, and attends conferences twice a year with Iowa Association for Colleges of Teacher Education.

Jaclyn M. Easter • Assistant Professor of Education, presents frequently on investigating elementary teachers’ philosophy and nature of technology (PNOT) instruction and the impact of a year-long professional development on elementary teachers’ teaching of math and science. Also has many publications on improving student learning and pedagogical views and rationales.

RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT

At Grand View, we believe the best way to become a successful elementary school teacher is to spend four years as an active participant in preschool to sixth-grade classrooms.

Your experiences in Des Moines metropolitan area schools will begin during your first year of study and continue until you graduate with the skills needed to be a licensed instructor.

As one of the largest programs of our kind in the Midwest, we have partnerships with school districts, offering our students the opportunity to student teach and engage in field experiences at small, large, urban, rural, public and private schools.

Career Options

Examples of positions our recent graduates in Elementary Education include:

Elementary teacher and vice principal, Hillis Elementary School, Des Moines
Learning disabilities teacher, Findley Elementary School, Des Moines
Behavior disorders teacher, Brooks Elementary School, Des Moines
Fourth grade teacher, Rolling Green Elementary School, Urbandale
Elementary special education teacher, Galva-Holstein Community Schools, Holstein