Core courses create a foundation for the field of education.  

Students take a total of 18 credits of core courses.  This equates to six, 3-credit courses.  

EDUC 103:  Foundations of Education*

Content components include history of education, structure of American education, educational philosophies, legal and ethical issues in teaching, basic learning theory, lesson planning, and use of technology applications. In addition, 40 hours (10-week period) of in-school teaching experience in Des Moines area schools are required. 

EDUC 108:  Student Development and Learning

This course is focused on human growth and development and learning theory, with special attention paid to motivation, classroom management, human behavior, and mental health, and their implications for curriculum and classroom teaching. 

EDUC 109:  Education Technology^ 

EDUC 111:  Education Planning and Assessment 

This course contains major components of a professional educator's knowledge base. This course will provide students with opportunities to learn about student diversity, instructional planning, and classroom and large-scale assessment. During the course, students will engage in a variety of activities that will enable them to demonstrate and apply their learning. 

EDUC 164:  Perspectives on Race, Ethnicity, and Gender^

Prerequisite:  EDUC 103.

SPED 120:  Introduction to Exceptional Children & Adults

This course orients the learner to the etiology, learning and behavioral characteristics of exceptional children and adults. The history, philosophy, and legal foundations underlying instructional programs and services to accommodate exceptional persons in the schools and community are examined. Techniques appropriate for regular classroom instruction of exceptional children and youth, including individualized instruction, behavior management, and consultative and diagnostic services are described and illustrated.

* Includes 40 practicum hours
^ This course can be taken before or after Teacher Education Acceptance

Admission to Teacher Education

Prior to taking any methods courses, students must fulfill requirements to be accepted into Teacher Education.  Talk to your advisor about requirements and timeline.  

Teacher Education Admission Requirements 

• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
• All InTASC Standards met at the BEGINNING level
• A completed application
• Two checklist forms or recommendation, at least one from a School of Education faculty member
• Successful background check 

For Elementary Education 

Students take a total of 23 credits of methods courses.

EDUC 122:  Curriculum and Pedagogy* (3 credits) 

Study of basic principles and skills for effective planning, instruction, and classroom management in the elementary school.

EDUC 123:  Physical Education and Health in the Elementary School (3 credits) 

Methods and materials for teaching elementary school physical education and health.

EDUC 124:  Literature of Children and Youth (3 credits) 

Designed to acquaint students with the world of children's and young adult literature and to explore the many roles it plays in the elementary and middle school classroom. 

EDUC 126:  Methods of Teaching Elementary Math* (3 credits)

Study of research in the teaching of mathematics. Survey and evaluation of programs and new methods of teaching. 

EDUC 128:  Methods of Teaching Elementary Social Studies* (3 credits) 

Strategies, methods, and materials for effective social studies instruction in the elementary school. 

EDUC 137:  Teaching Reading in the Elementary Classroom* (3 credits)

This course will focus on the reading process and reading instruction for students in elementary classrooms. Topics covered include the five essential components of reading, effective literacy instructional methods and assessment. 

EDUC 139:  Teaching Communicative Arts in the Elementary Classroom* (3 credits)

This course explores the teaching of the communicative language arts in the elementary classroom including listening, speaking, writing and visual literacy. Special focus is given to the writing process, writing development and writing instruction.  

* Includes 10 practicum hours

For Secondary Education  

Students take a total of 9 credits of methods courses.

EDUC 132: Secondary Methods* (3 credits)

Methods of Teaching Secondary School is designed for pre-service teachers who plan on teaching in middle or high school. Course components include: a review of educational philosophy and psychological learning theory, curriculum design and instruction, an introduction to classroom management, and other topics associated with teaching and learning at the secondary level. Successful completion of this course includes a 40-hour practicum field experience.

EDUC 142: Reading - Secondary Level & Interdisciplinary (3 credits)

The focus of this course will be the integration of reading comprehension strategies and interdisciplinary curriculum into content areas. Through a workshop design, participants will be studying, discussing and sharing teaching and learning strategies with the class. Students will be expected to actively engage in their own learning as they develop a repertoire of strategies to use with secondary students. In addition, activities and assessments will require participants to act as reflective practitioners.

EDUC 1XX: Content Area Special Methods (2 or 3 credits)

* Includes 40 practicum hours

Each student must complete at least one endorsement. 

You can choose from over 30 different areas of specialization to supplement your degree and increase your attractiveness with future employers.

Visit the Endorsements page for a full list of endorsement options. 

Student teaching allows you to apply your learning.  

EDUC 163: Student Teaching Seminar (1 credit)

School curriculum development and organization, instructional planning, and classroom management. To be taken concurrently with EDUC 168.

EDUC 166: Student Teaching - Elementary (8 credits)

OR

EDUC 168: Student Teaching - Secondary (8 credits)

Supervised teaching experience for students in teacher education programs. To be taken concurrently with EDUC 167.

EDUC 169: ePortfolio Seminar (1 credit)