Interdisciplinary Studies Major for Elementary Teacher Certification

CIP Code

30.0000

The Interdisciplinary Studies (IS) major is for students who wish to teach elementary school.  It provides students with a balanced set of courses in the arts and sciences - English, history, political science, geography, mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics - as well as the opportunity to explore one of the aforementioned areas in depth. The IS major consists of 34 credits and nine (9) required supporting credits, all with grade of C or higher required. Students also take 51 credits in education courses during the junior and senior years, all with grade of C or higher and 2.8 GPA required.  Students must complete the fifth year to be eligible for certification.

The IS major is a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a minimum of 121 credits required for graduation.

Undergraduates who have a 2.8 GPA or higher may apply for admission to the Five-Year Program by January of their sophomore year.

Major requirements begin fall semester freshman year and end spring semester senior year. Professional Education Courses begin fall semester junior year and end spring semester senior year.

Students should seek course selection advisement from their Major Advisor.

General and course requirements, as well as FCEHD policies and interpretations of state certification regulations, are subject to change.

Course Sequence

Suggested Four Year Sequence of Study

 

Year 1 - Semester 1 (16cr)

• FYWS 125 or CTL 125
• PO 121 or PS 110
• MA 107
• HI 100 or HI 102
• Foundational Core (Arts/Design/Comm.)

 

Year 1 - Semester 2 (15cr)

• FYWS 125 or CTL 125
• PO 121 or PS 110
• BI 109
• ENG 201
• MA 108

 

Year 2 - Semester 3 (15cr)

• PY 101
• CIT 201
• ENG 244
• MA 111
• Foundational Core (Philosophy)

 

Year 2 - Semester 4 (15cr)

• CH 101
• ENG 245
• CIT 202
• GS 150
• HI 222 or HI 223

 

Note: Plan your 5th and 6th semesters' schedules to include time to spend 6 hours a week in clinic

Year 3 - Semester 5 (15cr)

• PS 273
• ED 311
• ED 300
• ED 301
• ED 343
• TAKE PRAXIS II THIS SEMESTER

 

Year 3 - Semester 6 (15cr)

• ED 404
• ED 411
• ED 314
• ED 344
• Foundational Core (Theory/Religion)

 

Note: Plan your 7th semester's schedule to include time to spend one day a week in clinic

Year 4 - Semester 7 (15cr)

• ED 410
• ED 420
• ED 440
• ED 412
• Elective

 

Year 4 - Semester 8 (15cr)

• ED 491
• ED 490
• ED 400

 

Note: For Study Abroad Only

• ED 341

Note:

• Foundational Core Courses should be completed by the end of junior year
• Liberal Arts Explorations (LAE) Core Courses should be completed by the end of 1st semester sophomore year
• Students must average 15 or more credits/semester to graduate on an 8 semester schedule

 

Graduate Program Sequence

 

Summer 1 (6cr)

• Education Elective
• Education Elective

 

Summer 2 (6cr)

• Education Elective
• Education Elective

 

Fall (12cr)

• ED 672
• ED 673
• ED 609

 

Spring (15cr)

• ED 679
• ED 680
• ED 523
• ED 578

For further specifics about the Teacher Education programs or about advanced teaching degrees and certification programs for those who have already earned a bachelor’s degree, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at [phone].