interdisciplinary studies elementary education
Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education Program Overview
Prepare to make a difference in the lives of young students. This program offers a comprehensive blend of theory and practice, covering all child development aspects. From physical and cognitive development to language and creative skills, this Interdisciplinary Studies Elementary Education program provides you with the tools to become a well-rounded educator.
Department:
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
Department chair name:
Amy Downey
Ed.D.
Program Coordinator:
Mrs. Ashley Estes
Learning at FHU
Why study interdisciplinary studies elementary education at FHU?
This program provides a comprehensive education on a child’s theoretical and practical development. From physical to emotional growth, this program ensures that you have the knowledge and skills required to provide a holistic education for your students. With FHU’s commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, you will graduate well-equipped to meet the challenges of today’s classrooms.
Program Highlights:
- Create impactful lesson plans for your students
- Utilize interdisciplinary studies
- In-depth understanding of childhood development
- Become a positive role model in your community
- Tools and resources to inspire young minds
- Achieve excellence in education through FHU’s specialized program
Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education Four-Year Plans
2023-2024 4-Year Plan(s)
Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
2022-2023 4-Year Plan(s)
2021-2022 4-Year Plan(s)
2020-2021 4-Year Plan(s)
Careers for Elementary Education Majors
As an interdisciplinary studies education major, the possibilities for your future career are boundless. With the skills and knowledge acquired through your studies, you are well-equipped to pursue a career path that blends multiple disciplines and areas of expertise. Perhaps you decide to go into education, where you can bring an innovative approach to teaching and learning. Or maybe you choose to pursue a career in politics or public policy, where your interdisciplinary background allows you to approach complex issues with a well-rounded perspective.
- Teaching
- Education
- Community Development
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Law
- Politics/Public Policy
- Administration
Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education Degree Requirements
With the Professional Core requirements outlined by the Department of Education, you’ll gain hands-on experience through an entire semester of integrated practicum and student teaching in public school settings. By completing this program, you’ll have the opportunity to become certified to teach kindergarten through fifth grade. Imagine the satisfaction of helping young minds grow and shaping the future generation. With an Elementary Education degree, the possibilities are endless!
I. Liberal Arts Core Requirements
Listed in the catalog under Academics: Liberal Arts Display
Limit III. A. Behavioral Sciences to SOC 241 General Sociology
Limit III. B. BIO: 100, 105, 110, 111, 112, or 211 (must include related lab)
Limit III. C. 1. History to HIS 221 American History I or HIS 222 American History II
Limit III. C. 2. Critical and Creative Works to Literature (ENG: 215, 225, or 235)
Limit III. C. 3. Humanities Capstone to HUM495 Values in Human Thought
II. Additional Liberal Arts Core Requirements for the Major (6-7 hours)
A. Choose one (1) of the following Fine Arts Courses
| ART 110 | Art Appreciation OR | (3) |
| ART 201 | Introduction to Photography OR | (3) |
| ART 234 | Introduction to Creativity (W) OR | (3) |
| MUS 110 | Music Appreciation OR | (3) |
| MUS 214 | The Development of American Music OR | (3) |
| THE 160 | Introduction to Theatre OR | (3) |
| THE 265 | Acting I OR | (3) |
| THE299A | New York Theatre Survey | (3) |
B. Choose one (1) of the following options (3-4 hours)
Must include related lab.
| PHS 111 | Physical Science I OR | (3) |
| PHS 112 | Physical Science II | (3) |
| OR: | ||
| CHE 121 | General Chemistry I WITH | (3) |
| CHE 121L | General Chemistry I Lab | (1) |
III. Major Professional Core for Elementary Education (K-5) - 46 hours
Must be admitted to Teacher Education Program to take the following
| EDU 310 | Literacy I: Emergent Literacy Methods Across Content Areas | 3 |
| EDU 311 | Literacy II: Literature and Literacy (W) | 3 |
| EDU 320 | Technology in the Classroom | 3 |
| EDU 327 | Tests and Measurements | 3 |
| EDU 330 | Teaching Mathematics: Methods, Strategies, and Techniques | 3 |
| EDU 350* | Professional Reflective Seminar II | 1 |
| EDU 415* | Literacy IV: Teaching Methods Across Content Areas | 3 |
| EDU 428* | Classroom Management | 2 |
| RDG 312 | Literacy III: Teaching Literacy | 4 |
Must be admitted to Student Teaching to take the following
| EDU 445 | Student Teaching, Elementary | 12 |
| EDU 450 | Professional Reflective Seminar III | 1 |
*These courses must be taken the semester prior to Student Teaching.
IV. Additional Required Courses (33-36 hours)
| HEA 216 | Personal Health | 3 |
| HUM 320 | Diversity in America (W) | 3 |
| MAT 206 | The Real Number System | 3 |
| POL 231 | American Government | 3 |
| PSY 201 | Child Development and Lab | 3 |
| PSY 306 | Educational Psychology (W) | 3 |
| SPA 131 | Elementary Spanish I | 3 |
| SPA 132 | Elementary Spanish II | 3 |
| Humanities Electives (upper-division) | 6 | |
| Math & Natural Science Electives (upper-division) | 3 |
Plus one (1) of the following
| HEA 217 | First Aid and CPR OR First Aid/Red Cross Certification |
(3) (0) |
V. Electives (including additional Bible) - 7 hours
Important Education Links
Meet Our Faculty
Frequently Asked Questions About a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies With A Concentration In Elementary Education (K-5) at FHU
Below are answers to questions prospective students often have when considering a major in Elementary Education (K-5). If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact [email protected] and they will happily answer questions and provide additional details about our program.
What are the benefits of an Interdisciplinary Studies degree at FHU?
An Interdisciplinary Studies degree at FHU (Freed-Hardeman University) offers several benefits for students seeking a customized education that combines multiple fields of study. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Customizable Curriculum: The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program at FHU allows students to create a customized curriculum that combines multiple fields of study. This will enable students to explore areas of interest and develop a unique educational experience.
- Integrative Learning: The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program at FHU emphasizes integrative learning, which involves connecting knowledge and skills across multiple disciplines. This helps students develop a broad understanding of complex issues and develop critical thinking skills that can be applied in various contexts.
- Career Preparation: The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program at FHU is designed to prepare students for a variety of career paths. By combining multiple fields of study, students can develop diverse skills that can be applied in various careers.
- Flexible Format: The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program at FHU allows students to customize their educational experience to fit their individual needs.
- Individualized Attention: The Interdisciplinary Studies degree program at FHU provides students with individualized attention from faculty members who are experts in their respective fields. This ensures that students receive high-quality instruction and support throughout their educational journey.
- Christian Foundation: FHU’s Interdisciplinary Studies degree program is grounded in Christian values, emphasizing the importance of ethical and moral principles in all areas of study. This helps students develop a strong sense of integrity and responsibility, which is essential for success in any career path.
An Interdisciplinary Studies degree at FHU offers a customizable curriculum, integrative learning, career preparation, a flexible format, individualized attention, and a Christian foundation. This provides students a unique educational experience tailored to their interests and career goals.
Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) is an accredited institution offering a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education (K-5). In this degree program, students will study core courses such as Educational Psychology, Student Teaching, Classroom Management, and Special Education Foundations. They will also choose from electives in the humanities, math and natural sciences, and other related fields.
Students will gain the skills and knowledge needed to become successful elementary education teachers, equipping them for careers in teaching or other educational roles. FHU also offers graduate studies programs for those who wish to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching or Education Leadership degree.
What is the difference between a concentration and a major?
The “concentration” and “major” are often used interchangeably in higher education, but there are some key differences between them. Here’s an explanation of the differences:
A major is a specific area of study that represents the student’s primary focus. It typically requires completing core courses and electives that provide a comprehensive education in the chosen field. For example, a student majoring in biology might take courses in cell biology, genetics, ecology, and evolution.
A concentration is a specialized area of study within a major. It allows students to explore a specific aspect of the major in greater depth. For example, a student majoring in business might choose to concentrate on marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship. This concentration would require additional coursework in the selected area of study.
Generally, a major is broader than a concentration and requires more coursework. A concentration provides a deeper understanding of a specific area within the major. In some cases, a concentration may be required as part of a major, while in others, it may be optional.
Another difference between a concentration and a major is the level of specificity. A major is a broad area of study, while a concentration is a more specialized subset of the major. For example, a student majoring in English might choose to concentrate on creative writing, which would allow them to focus specifically on writing fiction, poetry, or nonfiction.
In summary, a major is the primary field of study, while a concentration is a specialization within the major. The major requires more coursework than the concentration, and the concentration provides a deeper understanding of a specific area within the major.
At Freed-Hardeman University (FHU), we offer a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education (K-5). Aspiring educators can gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful elementary education teachers while exploring multiple fields of study. The program is flexible and allows prospective elementary school teachers and students to customize their educational experience in an interdisciplinary way. With the combination of core courses and electives, students can make the most of their college career and pursue a rewarding career in teaching.
What are the requirements for a concentration in Elementary Education at FHU?
The concentration in Elementary Education at FHU (Freed-Hardeman University) is designed to prepare students for an elementary school teaching career. Here are the requirements for this concentration:
- Completion of the Elementary Education Core: Students must complete the Elementary Education core, which includes courses in child development, instructional strategies for diverse learners, and classroom management.
- Completion of Professional Education Courses: Students must complete a series of professional education courses required for teacher certification in Tennessee. These courses cover topics such as literacy development, mathematics instruction, and assessment.
- Completion of Elementary Education Methods Courses: Students must take a series of methods courses specific to elementary education. These courses cover language arts instruction, social studies curriculum, and science instruction.
- Completion of Field Experience Requirements: Students must complete at least 100 clock hours of field experience in elementary school classrooms. This includes observation, participation, and teaching under the supervision of a licensed teacher.
- Completion of Student Teaching: Students must complete a full-semester student teaching experience in an elementary school classroom. This involves planning and delivering lessons, assessing student learning, and managing classroom behavior.
- Completion of Praxis Exams: Students must pass the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators exam and the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects exam to be eligible for teacher certification in Tennessee.
The concentration in Elementary Education at FHU requires completing the Elementary Education core, professional education courses, elementary education methods courses, field experience requirements, student teaching, and Praxis exams. These requirements for elementary education degree programs ensure that graduates are well-prepared for an elementary school teaching career.
What are the career options with a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education?
A Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education provides graduates with various career options. Here are some of the most common career paths:
- Elementary School Teacher: Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education are qualified to teach in elementary school classrooms. They can teach multiple subjects and grade levels and may work in public or private schools.
- Elementary Curriculum Developer: Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education can use their knowledge of curriculum development to create educational materials for elementary school students. This could include textbooks, lesson plans, or online learning resources.
- Educational Consultant: Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education can work as educational consultants, providing guidance and advice to schools and school districts on issues related to curriculum development, teacher training, and student achievement.
- Instructional Coordinator: Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education can work as instructional coordinators, helping to develop and implement educational programs, evaluate teaching methods, and assess student outcomes.
- Private Tutor: Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education can work as private tutors, providing individualized instruction and academic support to students who need extra help.
- Education Administrator: Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education can work as education administrators, overseeing educational programs and policies in schools or school districts.
A Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education prepares graduates for a variety of careers in education, including teaching, curriculum development, educational consulting, instructional coordination, private tutoring, and education administration.
At FHU, we are committed to providing students with an interdisciplinary education that prepares them for rewarding careers in teaching. With our comprehensive curriculum and flexible learning options, we strive to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful elementary school teachers.
If you’re interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education, we invite you to explore the opportunities available at FHU today. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to support you every step of the way as you pursue your educational goals.
We look forward to helping you unlock your potential and succeed in your teaching career!
Still Deciding on a major?