Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Agricultural Education

Agricultural education students combine their interest in agriculture with their desire to work with people. Students are prepared to teach agricultural science, business, and related subjects in junior high, high school, or college settings.

Elementary Education

The Elementary Education program is committed to preparing future elementary teachers who have a deep understanding of the diversity of learners and the social justice context of education and who engage with a culturally diverse and global community. The Elementary Education program emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, and deep knowledge in all content areas, including the signature STEM focus. Through professional courses and seminars that are paired with extensive experiences in partner schools and in the community (with opportunities to study abroad), the program prepares teachers who are responsive and reflective practitioners of research-based, inquiry-oriented pedagogy. Elementary Education reflects what is known about the best evidence-based practices in teacher education and is aligned with state and national standards for elementary school teacher preparation.

Engineering/Technology Teacher Education

If you’ve always wanted to be a middle school or high school instructor and you have an affinity for STEM, the engineering/technology teacher education major might be right for you! You’ll share your knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math with students when you learn how to teach such STEM-related subjects as automation, robotics, prototyping, engineering design, construction and architecture.

English Education

The undergraduate secondary English education teaching major is a comprehensive four-year program designed to prepare students to teach middle and high school English. After completing the requirements of the program, students will be qualified to obtain a license to teach English in the state of Indiana in grades 5-12. Students complete coursework in both the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts, including four discipline-specific methods courses: composition for teachers, literature in the middle and secondary school, teaching English in the secondary school, and teaching English language arts in the middle school and junior high.

Family and Consumer Sciences Education

Making a difference in the lives of young people is what Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Education is all about. Family and consumer sciences educators help young people become independent, assume family and community roles, and succeed in the workplace. The Family and Consumer Sciences Education curriculum prepares students to be professional educators in areas related to individual and family life. Students take a wide variety of courses in human development, nutrition, textiles and fashion, personal finance, and other areas.

General Education: Curriculum and Instruction

Focus on educational leadership in today’s increasingly interconnected and technology-rich world with a degree in general education. The curriculum and instruction major is for those interested in a career in the field of education but not necessarily classroom teaching. This major is a non-teaching license program.

Mathematics Education

Mathematics education prepares future mathematics teachers for certification at the middle and high school grades. Mathematics education provides students with a mathematics major and modern theories of learning and education.

Science Education

A College of Science degree in Science Education prepares future science teachers for certification at the middle and high school level. Students customize their focus by selecting a major area of study in biology, chemistry, physics, or earth and space science within an interdisciplinary science framework. The Science Education degree ensures students are thoroughly educated in their content discipline and modern theories of learning and education. Graduates are in high demand as STEM education and careers continue to grow in demand.

  • Biology Concentration
  • Chemistry Concentration
  • Earth/Space Science Concentration
  • Physics Concentration

Social Studies Education

Earn a degree in social studies education and put your interest in history, geography, politics, civics, and government to work. A social studies education degree will enable you to teach social studies at the secondary level (grades 5-12). Social studies education is an interdisciplinary integration of several social sciences including economics, government and citizenship, historical perspectives, psychology, and sociology.

Visual Arts Education

Visual Arts Education develops a broad understanding of the visual arts, and the desire to communicate this understanding to others. The program provides a solid foundation in the liberal arts as well as specialized skills in studio arts, curriculum planning, teaching strategies, and verbal communication. Visual Arts Education students take studio courses in a wide range of fine arts areas in order to gain knowledge and skills used by artists in each of those areas. They refine their skills as artists and learn how to creatively express themselves with a full array of art materials and processes.

Visual Arts Design Education

Visual Arts and Design Education has an emphasis in design. The major develops a students’ broad understanding of the visual arts, and the desire to communicate this understanding to others. The major provides a solid foundation in the liberal arts as well as specialized skills in studio arts, curriculum planning, teaching strategies, and verbal communication. Visual Arts and Design Education students take studio courses in a wide range of fine arts areas in order to gain knowledge and skills used by artists in each of those areas. They refine their skills as artists and learn how to creatively express themselves with a full array of art materials and processes.