Elementary Education Program
(Iowa Teaching Endorsement #102)

Simpson is a college full of tradition and pride in our heritage. For more than 150 years, we’ve graduated accomplished students, and our education program is one of which we’re especially proud.

Simpson’s location in central Iowa offers many advantages. Our experienced professors have formed outstanding relationships with teachers in area school districts, which opens more doors for you to gain classroom experience. The depth and breadth of Simpson’s endorsement areas help you decide where you fit in.

All Simpson education students seeking elementary certification complete a dual major: Professional Studies Major and Liberal Studies Major. This helps prepare you for a teaching job and all the content areas included in the K-6 curriculum.

In addition to an elementary education program, Simpson also has a secondary education program and offers graduate programs for Master of Arts in Teaching (Secondary) and Transition to Teaching Program (Secondary).

We believe that preparation for effective teaching includes five essential components: a) a liberal arts foundation; b) a grounding in educational theory, content knowledge, and pedagogical skills; c) in-depth study in at least two content areas; d) multiple opportunities to observe and practice teaching in a variety of settings; and e) the ability to reflect and think critically about the many aspects of teaching and learning. Therefore, Simpson Elementary Education graduates must complete the following requirements in addition to the college graduation requirements:

I. Liberal Studies Major for Elementary Education

Liberal Arts Content Core

Communication and Literacy

Eng 108 Linguistics and Composition

Comm 102 Public Speaking in Society

Mathematics

Math 116 Foundations of Arithmetic for Elementary Teachers

Math 117 Foundations of Geometry for Elementary Teachers

Sciences (Life, Physical, Earth/Space) (6-8 credits)

Life Sciences (3-4 credits) Any biology course except BIOL 103 — suggested courses:

Biol 104 Human Biology

Biol 110 Principles of Biology I

Biol 145 Introductory Plant Biology

Physical/Earth/Space Sciences (3-8 credits) Must include a course in each science groups.

Physical Science (any chemistry, any physics class, or NaSc 190 Physical and Earth Science for Elementary Teachers) — suggested courses:

NaSc 190 Physical Science for Elementary Teachers*

Biol 103 Environmental Issues (contains elements of chemistry)

Chem 101 General Chemistry I

Chem 150 Chemistry and Society

Earth and Space Sciences

NaSc 190 Physical Science for Elementary Teachers*

NaSc 102 Meteorology

*Fulfills requirement for both science groups.

Social Sciences/Humanities (3-4 credits in US History and 3-4 credits in American Government)

American Government—suggested course:

PoSc 101 American Government

US History—suggested courses:

Hist 201 US History to 1877

Hist 202 US History since 1877

Ethics Course (3-4 credits) Any course with “ethics” in title —suggested course:

Comm 301 Media Law & Ethics

Phil 105 Introductions to Ethics

Phil 211 Feminist Ethics

Phil 255 Ethics of Development & Consumption

Rel 263 Ethics, Religion and Conflict

Rel 251 Introduction to Christian Ethics

Rel 262 The Body in Christian Ethics

The Arts

Educ 238 The Arts and Physical Wellbeing

Concentration in a Discipline (six courses with four at the 300 level)

Educ 118, 222, 237, 300, 303, 304, 305, 312, 321, 326, 329

Capstone: Student Teaching*or Internship (Minimum of 4 credits)

Educ 388 Student Teaching*

Educ 389 Student Teaching Seminar*

Educ 319 Internship

*All candidates must complete a minimum of 15 weeks of student teaching plus the student teaching seminar in order to be recommended for teacher licensure.

II. Professional Studies Major for Elementary Education

Educ 114 Foundations of Education

Educ 118 Student Development and  Learning

Educ 222 Assessment, Planning, and Teaching

Educ 237 Children’s Literature

Educ 300 Reading/Language Arts Education and Practicum (Requires concurrent enrollment in Educ 305 and 326P)

Educ 303 Science and Health Education (Requires concurrent enrollment in Educ 304 and 329P)

Educ 304 Mathematics Education (Must be taken concurrently with Educ 303 and 329P)

Educ 305 Social Studies Education (Must be taken concurrently with Educ 300and Educ 326P)

Educ 326P Advanced Elementary Practicum I (Must be taken concurrently with Educ 300 and 305)

Educ 329P Advanced Elementary Practicum II (Must be taken concurrently with Educ 303 and 305)

Educ 312 Exceptional Students

Educ 321 Human Relations in Teaching

Capstone: Student Teaching*or Internship (Minimum of 4 credits)

Educ 388 Student Teaching*

Educ 389 Student Teaching Seminar*

Educ 319 Internship

*All candidates must complete a minimum of 15 weeks of student teaching plus the student teaching seminar in order to be recommended for teacher licensure.

 

Endorsement Programs (for all grade levels)

Endorsements	Grade   Levels
	K-8	5-12	K-12
All Business		X*
Art	X	X
Coaching			X
English/Language Arts	X	X*
World Languages
French	X	X*
German	X	X*
Spanish	X	X
Health	X	X
Journalism		X*
Mathematics	X	X*
Music	X	X
Physical Education	X	X
Reading	X*
Science
Basic	X
Biological		X*
Chemistry		X*
General Science		X*
Physics		X*
Social Sciences
American Government		X*
American History		X*
Economics		X*
History		X*
Psychology		X*
Social Studies	X
Sociology		X*
World History		X*
Special Education
(Instructional Strategist I)	X*	X*
Speech Communication/Theatre	X	X*

X = Endorsement programs offered at the undergraduate level.

*Endorsement programs offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels

NOTE: For candidates who complete an endorsement in psychology and/or sociology, they must complete another endorsement in an area other than sociology or psychology.