Advising and Recruiting Webpage

Programs of Study

• Elementary Education
• Social Studies Education
• Special Education: Mild Intervention/Elementary Education

Minor

• Global Studies

• General Education: Curriculum and Instruction
• General Education: Educational Studies

Licensure Programs

Elementary Education

Elementary Education reflects what is known about the best practices in teacher education and is aligned with state and national standards for elementary school teacher preparation. Professional courses are grouped together and taken sequentially in 6 semester blocks. Each block has an associated Theory into Practice (TIP) field experience that allows students to apply subject matter knowledge and best practices in school, university, and community settings.

Four strands run through and guide the program: (a) diversity, (b) technology, (c) field experience, and (d) performance assessment, including the use of electronic portfolios. Teacher candidates develop the dispositions to be caring and dedicated education professionals. 

Career Opportunities

• Childcare worker
• Camp counselor
• Child psychologist
• Education administrator
• School counselor
• Teacher

Elementary Education (PDF)

Social Studies Education

Social Studies Education reflects the best practices in teacher education and is aligned with state and national standards to prepare individuals to teach social studies at the secondary level. Students take courses in three areas: Historical Perspectives, and two additional areas chosen from Economics and/or Government and Citizenship, or Psychology or Sociology. Professional courses are grouped together and taken sequentially in 2 semester blocks. Each block has an associated Theory into Practice (TIP) field experience.

Four strands run through and guide the program: (a) diversity, (b) technology, (c) field experience, and (d) performance assessment, including the use of electronic portfolios. Teacher candidates develop the dispositions to be caring and dedicated education professionals. 

Career Opportunities

• Archaeologist
• Historian
• Lawyer
• Teacher

Social Studies Education (PDF)

Special Education

Special Education meets the unique needs of individuals with disabilities by preparing educational professionals with the knowledge, disposition and skills necessary to effectively serve individuals with diverse needs. It is aligned with state and national standards to prepare individuals to teach Special Education AND Elementary Education. The undergraduate program is designed within an inquiry framework consistent with other Purdue teacher preparation programs, which emphasize (a) creating connections between subject matter knowledge and teaching, (b) valuing the diverse characteristics of students and the ability to address the needs of all students, and (c) understanding the contextual aspects of teaching (e.g., the organizational and policy context).

Four strands run through and guide the program: (a) diversity, (b) technology, (c) field experience, and (d) performance assessment, including the use of electronic portfolios. Teacher candidates develop the dispositions to be caring and dedicated education professionals.

Special Education graduates are eligible for dual licensure in the areas of Special Education: Mild Intervention, which enables them to serve children who experience mild emotional, learning, or mental disabilities at the preschool through 12 grade levels AND Elementary Education, which enables them to serve children at the kindergarten through 6 grade levels. In addition, graduates are "highly qualified" in both Special Education and Elementary Education. Graduates learn to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), use assistive technology, and develop instructional material and environmental modifications-all essential elements when teaching individuals with diverse needs.  

Career Opportunities

• Child psychologist
• Social worker
• Teacher

Special Education: Mild Intervention/Elementary Education (PDF)

Minor

Global Studies Minor (PDF)  

Non-Licensure Programs 

General Education: Curriculum and Instruction

The curriculum and instruction major is a non-licensure program that provides educational leadership in an increasingly diverse, interconnected, and technology-rich world and that values collaboration, community, diversity, global perspectives, inquiry, and reflection. Research on various aspects of educational practices is conducted and disseminated.  A focus on theory-into-practice leads to new discoveries in the teaching and learning process across a wide variety of educational contexts.

Four strands run through and guide the program: diversity, technology, field experience, and performance assessment (including the use of electronic portfolios). 

Career Opportunities

• Childcare worker
• Camp counselor
• Graduate or professional school (e.g., child psychologist, school counselor) 
• Policy maker
• Researcher

 General Education: Curriculum and Instruction (PDF)

General Education: Educational Studies

The educational studies major is a non-licensure program that provides a strong background in educational theory, practice and research. Research is conducted and disseminated on varied educational aspects of teaching, learning, and human development through discovery, teaching and engagement activities.

Four strands run through and guide the program: diversity, technology, field experience, and
performance assessment (including the use of electronic portfolios). 

Career Opportunities

• Childcare worker
• Camp counselor
• Graduate or professional school (e.g., child psychologist, school counselor)
• Policy maker
• Researcher

General Education: Educational Studies (PDF)