BS - Integrative Studies - Elementary Teacher Training with Elementary Education Minor
The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Integrative Studies is designed to develop students’ abilities to integrate learning across courses, over time, and between academic and life experiences. The Integrative Studies major may not be taken as an additional major or degree, and is not available for students who have completed other IWU Bachelor programs.
The concentration in Elementary Teacher Training emphasizes the major theories and concepts related to learning processes, child development, literacy development, and classroom management.
The minor in Elementary Education is structured to enhance and expand upon candidates’ existing subject matter expertise, assessment knowledge, and differentiated instructional practices to elementary learning environments. The curriculum emphasizes methods of teaching in the content areas, meeting the learning needs of diverse students, providing literacy assessment and instruction, and experiencing a hands-on student-teaching experience. The minor meets accreditation and licensure requirements to recommend graduates for Elementary Generalist K-6 teacher licensure in Indiana.
Students graduating from Indiana Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Integrative Studies should be able to:
- Explain connections between life experiences and fields of study.
- Synthesize examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.
- Solve problems by applying acquired skills and knowledge to new situations.
- Communicate in oral, written, or visual ways that enhance meaning, making clear the interdependence of language and meaning, thought, and expression.
- Evaluate changes in one's own learning over time to envision a future self.
- Integrate Christian faith, ethics, and character with the knowledge and skills from fields of study and the liberal arts.
- Demonstrate professional, moral, and ethical behaviors and dispositions grounded in related biblical principles.
- Implement methods of teaching in specific content areas that are appropriate for elementary learners.
- Apply concepts that meet the learning needs of elementary learners with diverse backgrounds and different abilities.
- Apply best practices, including data-driven decision making, in instructional planning and delivery.
- Communicate with stakeholders in the field of education.
- Design a safe, productive, equitable, and inclusive learning environment using sound classroom management strategies and high standards for all elementary learners.
Admission Requirements
The admission requirements for bachelor degree programs offered through the College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) are as follows:
- Proof of high school graduation or GED certification.
- Original transcripts from all previous college or university study at college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
- Prior completion of at least 60 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or an institution accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education is required before the student is eligible to start a bachelor core program.
- A maximum of 40 credit hours may be earned through the assessed learning process toward the required 60.
- A criminal history background check that meets School of Integrated Learning and Development guidelines.
- A signed FERPA Release Form.
NOTE: Applicants should be aware that Indiana State Legislation has mandated that expanded background checks are required for those working with students in Indiana schools. Applicants will also be required to adhere to any additional State Mandates required for educators. Though candidates will be required to submit an initial background check as a part of their application materials, this background check will only serve to gain admittance to the academic program. School corporations are governed by a locally elected Board of Trustees who set policy for their school corporation. All accepted candidates should understand that additional background checks at the candidate’s expense may be required by school corporations before participating in clinical experiences.
Minor Requirements
- All candidates will be required to provide passing scores for Indiana’s approved content area examination(s) based on the following schedule, or will be administratively withdrawn from the program:
- If scheduled for student teaching in September, testing is due the preceding April 1st.
- If scheduled for student teaching in January, testing is due the preceding September 1st.
- Candidates who are unable to complete a course or who receive an unsatisfactory grade will repeat that course before moving on in the program. Tuition and fees will be charged for repeating the course.
Clinical Experience Requirements
- All candidates must complete field experiences throughout the program as well as a 14-week full-time student teaching experience in a K-6 classroom.
- All course work from the concentration and the minor prior to student teaching must be completed with a minimum grade of no less than “C” in each course to be eligible to student teach.
- All clinical placements will be made by the Office of Clinical Experiences, unless otherwise outlined in course curriculum. Candidates are not to contact any school or attempt to secure their own student teaching assignment at any time.
- Removal from a clinical experience may result in the candidate not passing the course and/or being permanently withdrawn from the program.
Graduation Requirements
To graduate with a baccalaureate degree the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of 120 semester hours.
- Completion of 30 semester hours of general education requirements as specified or by transferred academic category equivalents. See the requirements for Bachelor of Science degrees (General Education Requirements).
- Completion of 18 semester hours of upper-level courses (300-400 level).
- Cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Completion of concentration and minor requirements with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Successfully complete all Clinical Experience requirements associated with the program.
- Provide passing scores for all required state licensure content and pedagogy examinations.
- Payment of all tuition and fees is required to receive a diploma.
Upon completion of the candidate’s Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Integrative Studies, a concentration in Elementary Teacher Training, and a minor in Elementary Education (Indiana licensure) program, candidates will be recommended for K-6 Educator Licensure in the state of Indiana. Candidates seeking licensure in states other than Indiana bear the responsibility to determine whether completion of the program will meet the academic and assessment requirements of the state in which licensure is sought.
Integrative Studies (BS) - Elementary Teacher Training Concentration - Elementary Education Minor Program of Study
Foundational Course
Integrative Studies Core
| UNV-104 | Introduction to Integrative Learning | 1 |
| UNV-120 | Career Development | 3 |
| UNV-401 | Integrative Learning Advanced Capstone | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Elementary Teacher Training Concentration
| EDUT-310 | Elementary Instructional Planning | 3 |
| EDUT-305 | Educational Psychology for Elementary Educators | 3 |
| EDUT-345 | Assessment in the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| EDUT-320 | Teaching Phonics for Elementary Educators | 3 |
| EDUT-321 | Teaching Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Writing for Elementary Educators | 3 |
| EDUT-448 | Elementary Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDUT-450 | Methods of Teaching for the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
Elementary Education Minor
The minor includes two previously completed concentration courses (
EDUT-448,
EDUT-450).
| EDUT-448 | Elementary Classroom Management | 3 |
| EDUT-450 | Methods of Teaching for the Elementary Classroom | 3 |
| EDUT-455 | Teaching Methods in the Elementary Content Areas | 3 |
| EDUT-470 | Elementary Students with Diverse and Different Learning Needs | 3 |
| EDUT-475 | Literacy Assessment and Intervention for Elementary Educators | 3 |
| EDUT-490A | Student Teaching in the Elementary Classroom | 6 |
| EDUT-490B | Student Teaching in the Elementary Classroom | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Upper Division Requirement
18 hours must be upper-level (300-400 level courses).
