Elementary Education
Bachelor of Arts
Major
School of Education
4-Year Degree
Overview
Dive into the world of elementary education through extensive mentoring, helpful supervision by engaged faculty, and field opportunities at diverse schools. Our comprehensive approach prepares graduates to face any challenge the education field may offer. Students emerge with the skills and temperament that are key to effective teaching in an elementary classroom environment.
Who It's For
If you’ve always hoped to make a major difference by working with the youngest minds in our education system, this program is the right fit for you. You’ll earn the experience and credentials you need to begin your journey as an educator.
Key Benefits
- Develop your skills through valuable mentorship. Our faculty supports students through individualized attention and constructive feedback.
- Learn by doing. Student-teaching placements outside of Westminster’s classroom—and inside actual elementary school settings—build your confidence and skill set.
"I will never forget my experiences with Westminster’s School of Education. My peers and the faculty were like family, and provided unwavering support. At Westminster, I was guided toward greatness and opportunity."
About the Program
You will develop the skills and knowledge to teach comfortably and effectively in an elementary school classroom. From teaching methods to classroom management, portfolio development, and student-teaching, our program is poised to help you succeed.
What You'll Learn
The School of Education adopted the Utah Effective Teaching Standards for the teacher education program in the Fall of 2015. Students must satisfy these standards to complete the program and be recommended for a teaching license. These standards are education-specific versions of the college-wide learning goals.
- Learner Development: Understand cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical areas of student development.
- Learning Differences: Understand individual learner differences and cultural linguistic diversity.
- Learning Environments: The teacher works with learners to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, positive social interactions, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
- Content Knowledge: Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline.
- Assessment: Use multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, monitor their progress, guide planning and instruction, and determine whether the outcomes described in content standards have been met.
- Instructional Planning: Plan instruction to support students in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, Utah Core Standards, instructional best practices, and the community context.
- Instructional Strategies: Use various instructional strategies to ensure that all learners develop a deep understanding of content areas and their connections and build skills to apply and extend knowledge in meaningful ways.
- Reflection and Continuous Growth: Use evidence as a reflective practitioner to continually evaluate and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner.
- Leadership and Collaboration: Engage collaboratively with learners, families, colleagues, and community members as a leader to build a shared vision and supportive professional culture focused on student growth and success.
- Professional and Ethical Behavior: Demonstrates the highest standard of legal, moral, and ethical conduct as specified in Utah State Board Rule R277-515.
Plan of Study
Liberal Education Courses
You must complete the WCore program or join the Honors College (and complete requirements) to fulfill your liberal education credits.
Want to learn more about the Elementary Education program?
A dedicated admissions counselor will reach out to you with personalized information to help with your search for the right program.
Request More InfoCareer Opportunities
Students gain from our strong, longstanding relationships with school districts and administrators in our area. Beginning in March of your final semester, our Career Center will arrange on-campus interviews for local school districts.
Potential Careers
Be highly sought-after among elementary schools in the local and surrounding communities. Many of our graduates secure teaching positions well before graduation.
“I am concerned as an educator about issues of justice, inequality, and equity where some languages are valued more, some are considered more scholarly, and some people’s experiences are valued more than others.”
"I made life-long friends, and I signed a contract before I even finished classes at Westminster."
Tuition and Aid
There's No Better Investment Than You
Westminster College knows you want an education where you matter—a place that will serve as a launchpad for a successful career and a meaningful life. Westminster will work with you individually through every step of the financial aid process. From scholarships to grants and loans, Westminster helps you make it happen.
With the highest percentage of students who complete one or more internships in the state, Westminster students hit the ground running with real-world experience. Plus, 90% of students were either employed or attending graduate school within 5 months of graduating. With a Westminster degree, you don't have to choose between a successful career and a fulfilling life.
You’ll be automatically considered for scholarship and grant opportunities.
In addition to general merit scholarships, there are other scholarship programs to support you throughout your time at Westminster.
Check Out Scholarships