B.A. in Elementary Education
The Elementary Education Program prepares candidates to meet the educational requirements for South Carolina licensure in elementary education (grades 2-6). Students pursuing a degree in elementary education develop their knowledge, skills, and dispositions through challenging, inquiry-based learning experiences; these include study in the core areas of literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies as well as art, music, health, and physical education. Together with an in-depth study of child growth and development, educational psychology, teaching methodology, instructional technology and focused, off-campus clinical experiences, the Elementary Education Program at Coastal Carolina University offers students a program rich in practicality, relevance, and professional growth opportunities.
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- The Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences is nationally accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) and the South Carolina Board of Education.
- Students who earn a degree from Coastal Carolina University and who are granted licensure by the state of South Carolina are eligible for reciprocal licensure* in every other state.
- The Elementary Education Program includes extensive clinical experiences in area schools. This field work begins in a candidate's first education course and culminates with a semester-long student teaching internship during a candidate's senior year. Initial field work includes interviews with teachers and guided observation and documentation of classroom events; this work is followed by expectations for candidates to conduct individual, small group and whole-class instruction
- Coastal Carolina University offers two student organizations for education majors: The South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) and the national education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi.
*Does not mean full reciprocal. Graduates are responsible for contacting their respective state department of education to determine licensure eligibility. We can only guarantee licensure in South Carolina.
TeachSC Resources and Support
Our partner, TeachSC, is a program that provides free support to anyone who’s thinking about becoming a teacher. When you sign up, you get perks like 1-on-1 coaching, up to $100 back in fee reimbursements towards expenses related to applying to our programs (including testing and fingerprints), and a chance to win a regional $1,000 scholarship! Access these resources by signing up here!
Admission to the Program
All students enter the program as pre-majors. Candidates may complete a formal application for admission to the professional program in teacher education (PPTE) when they have completed at least 60 hours of college-level coursework and have met the following requirements:
- Earn at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA;
- Earn a "C" or better in ENGL 101, ENGL 102 or ENGL 211, EDUC 111, EDUC 204, Math 201, Math 202, and foreign language;
- Pass all three areas of Praxis Core or meet the exemption policy;
- Successfully clear a criminal background composite disciplinary action disclosure statement;
- Be missing no more than four core courses outside of the professional program;
- Complete a Professional Reference.
(Candidates are reviewed for acceptance into the Professional Program in Teacher Education by the Portal I Faculty Committee.)
Areas of Study:
Elementary Education majors take courses including Elementary School Curriculum & Organization, Teaching of Elementary Mathematics, Classroom Management for Diverse Settings, and Teaching of Elementary Science.
For More Information:
Heather Hagan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Elementary Education Program Coordinator
Spadoni College of Education and Social Sciences
Prince Building 119D
843-349-5047
hhagan@coastal.edu