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College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions

BS in Elementary Education

At a Glance

Our bachelor’s degree program in elementary education prepares you for a rewarding teaching career in grades 1-6. In our undergraduate education programs, you’ll start building your resume from day one and begin meaningful fieldwork experiences in area schools during the first semester of your freshman year.

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Bachelor of Science

126

About the Major

Teacher works with elementary age student

As an elementary education student, you will complete a subject area major and may select any discipline offered by the University of Hartford or an interdisciplinary behavioral studies major. 

Clinical experiences are incorporated into most of the professional education courses, and are an important component of our commitment to support students as they put theory into action. The first clinical experience begins in a student’s first semester in the elementary education program.

The professional program includes clinical experiences that increase in time and responsibility for teaching. The final two semesters of the program include two intensive clinical experiences. One full semester of integrated professional practicum experience and one full semester of student teaching in public school settings are included.

Students who successfully complete the program in elementary education, pass the edTPA, and state subject area assessments are eligible for Connecticut certification to teach first grade through sixth grade.

Students preparing for elementary certification can enroll in a program that combines with a special education core and leads to dual certification. This program is recommended for anyone interested in employing special education skills in a regular classroom. Learn more about this program here.

The UHart Difference

On-Campus Magnet School
front entrance of University magnet school

The University of Hartford Magnet School, a pre-K to grade 5 elementary school, is one of several schools located on campus or within walking distance. All provide opportunities for fieldwork and student teaching.

  • Real-world learning begins right away - you’ll have supervised classroom experience beginning your first semester.
  • With five schools on campus or within walking distance, we have multiple opportunities for teacher training right in our backyard.
  • Undergraduates can pursue research with our experienced faculty members.
  • In our honors program you can complete an honors thesis or independent project. You can also join the UHart chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education.
  • Class sizes are small, and you’ll receive ample individual mentoring from our faculty.
  • Our Montessori concentration allows you to earn a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an internationally recognized Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) diploma in one program.

Degree Requirements

The bachelor’s degree in elementary education is a minimum of 126 credits. A sample of courses is listed below. View the full curriculum here.

Professional Education Courses - 46 credits

Introduction to Education: Schooling and Human Services
Educational Psychology
Reading and Language Arts Instruction
Mathematics Instruction and Methods
Differentiated Instruction
Integrated Methods: Science, Social Studies and the Arts
Student Teaching

General Education Requirements (47-48 credits)

Academic Writing
Computers in the Classroom
Mathematics for Elementary School
Infant and Child Development
Creativity: The Dynamics of Artistic Expression
Discovering America: American Civilization

Career Outlook

Job growth for kindergarten and elementary school teachers is expected to grow 7 percent from 2022 to 2032, according to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, so the demand for teachers will remain strong.

Accelerated 4+1 Program

Fast-track your education by earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in only five years in our 4+1 option. You can earn a BS in Elementary Education and a Master of Education (MEd) in Special Education Cross-Endorsement in one program. The entire curriculum can be completed in five years, including summer classes after your senior year.

Connecticut and many other states require teachers to complete a master’s degree in order to maintain their teaching certification. In addition, teachers with master’s degrees typically earn higher salaries than those with only a bachelor’s degree.

The MEd in Special Education Cross-Endorsement is a 36-credit program and includes 14 weeks of student teaching.

Additional benefits:

  • Direct admission to the master’s degree program without re-applying.
  • Earn a second certification in Special Education that can give you additional career options. See the full curriculum here.

Real-world learning from the start

All of UHart's education programs get students out into the classroom starting in your first semester, giving you hands-on experience with children right from the start. Hear more from student Brian Durocher '21 and Department Chair Sheetal Sood in this short video.

Admission

Education students in classroom

Students applying to the elementary education program are accepted for admission in either the fall or the spring semester. Although there are no strict application deadlines, we recommend you apply by December 1 for entrance in January and by March 1 for entrance in September.

For admission to programs in the Department of Education, 16 units of secondary subjects are expected and should include the following as minimal:

  • English: 4 units
  • Social studies: 2 units
  • One language: 2 units
  • Science: 2 units
  • Mathematics: 2 units (including 1 unit of algebra)
  • Other academic subjects: 4 units

Professional Program Requirements

Education students must apply for admission to the professional program during the fall of sophomore year. Professional program admission requirements include:
  • SAT, ACT or Praxis Core scores. Although the University does not require SAT, ACT or Praxis scores for admission, the State of Connecticut requires these scores for teaching certification.
  • Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  • Completed dispositions interview form.  

Please see the Catalog for grade requirements for preprofessional and professional level courses.  

Transfer Admission

To transfer into a teacher education program as a college junior (48 credits or more), you must show evidence of having taken the SAT, ACT, or the Praxis Core. In addition, you must have obtained a minimum of a 3.0 (B) grade point average (GPA) in your previous coursework. Your ability to complete the program in two calendar years will depend on the specific courses required and your flexibility regarding summer coursework. Once admitted you must immediately complete the Professional Program Application. We would be happy to review your records and map out a sample plan of study. Please contact the Office of Admission:

Office of Admission
860.768.4296
admission@mxy163.com

 

Additional Information

CANDIDATE EFFECT ON STUDENT LEARNING

Assess their ability to plan effective instruction based on their student outcomes.
Gauge and reflect on whether they are able to assess student outcomes using pre- and post-assessment.

Plan effective instruction based on state standards and assessment data.

LESSON PLANNING


Plan a standard-based sequence of instruction using national and state standards.

Align assessments with meaningful learning objectives.

Differentiate instruction for different learning needs.

STUDENT TEACHING PORTFOLIO

Align activities with curriculum objectives, as well as state and national standards.
Write clear objectives and plan developmentally appropriate lesson plans based on student needs.

Differentiate instruction and use appropriate scaffolding, thereby ensuring that all students can learn.

Use effective instructional techniques and maintain a positive environment in the classroom.

Reflect on their performance and its effect on student understanding.

Work in collaboration with others.

SERVICE LEARNING

Gain firsthand experience observing/working in included classrooms and reflect on these experiences.

If you are a full-time undergraduate student applying to the elementary education program, you will be considered for financial aid programs that the University of Hartford administers. In addition to our own funds, the University participates in all Federal Title IV programs and Federal Family Education Loan programs. Residents of Connecticut and those states with reciprocal agreements with the State of Connecticut may also be eligible to receive state scholarships or grants.

Find detailed information on tuition and fees and financial aid

Financial Aid Office
860.768.4296
finaid@mxy163.com

Department of Education 

860.768.5263

deptofed@mxy163.com

Accreditation

Accreditation and State of Connecticut Certification

Certification programs in the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions are accredited based on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) through the CAEP Accreditation System (CAEP), as well as the State of Connecticut Department of Education. The Educational Testing Service's Praxis II exam is utilized for certification of teachers in Connecticut. See Pass rate.

Professional Licensing Disclosure

Visit Out-of-State Educators to see the Connecticut State Department of Education reciprocity agreement. The NASDTEC website details the interstate reciprocity agreement across states.

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Special education teacher with student

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