Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• demonstrate understanding of how learners grow and develop, recognizing that patterns of learning and development vary individually within and across the cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, behavioral health continuum, and physical areas, and individualize developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences for learners of all cognitive abilities.
• use understanding of individual differences and diverse cultures and communities, including American Indians and tribes in Montana and English Language Learners (ELL), to ensure inclusive environments that enable each learner to meet high standards.
• work with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
• demonstrate understanding of the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) the candidate teaches and create individualized learning experiences that make the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners to assure mastery of the content, and include the instruction of reading and writing literacy into all program areas.
• demonstrate understanding of how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues.
• use multiple methods of assessment, including formative and summative assessments, to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacherꞌs and learnerꞌs decision making.
• plan and implement individualized instruction that supports students of all cognitive abilities in meeting rigorous learning goals by drawing upon knowledge of content areas, curriculum, cross-disciplinary skills, and pedagogy, as well as knowledge of learners and the community context.
• use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage learners to develop deep understanding of content areas and their connections and build skills to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
• engage in ongoing professional learning and use evidence to continually evaluate candidateꞌs practice, particularly the effects of candidateꞌs choices and actions on others (learners, families, other professionals, and the community), and adapt practice to meet the needs of each learner.
• interact knowledgeably and professionally with students, families, and colleagues based on social needs and institutional roles.
• engage in leadership or collaborative roles, or both, in content-based professional learning communities and organizations and continue to develop as professional educators.
• demonstrate understanding of and ability to integrate history, cultural heritage, and contemporary status of American Indians and tribes in Montana.

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
General Education Requirements		31
The General Education requirements for elementary education majors have been designed to prepare pre -service educators in a liberal arts curriculum that: stimulates scholarship; promotes a critical understanding of human concepts; fosters individual fulfillment; nurtures the development of free, rational, and responsible professions; cultivates an appreciation for the values associated with life in a free, democratic society; develops intellectually competent, imaginative and vigorous educators; and encourages an analysis of values inherent in foreign cultures, the variety of American ethnic cultures with an aim toward developing a clearer understanding of other peoples. The General Education program for elementary majors is similar to the General Education program established for all students at Montana State University Billings. Students should select General Education courses in consultation with their academic advisors.
Global Academic Skills
Mathematics:
M 130	Math for Elementary Teachers I *
English:
WRIT 101	College Writing I *
or WRIT 201	College Writing II
Communication & Information Literacy:
COMX 111	Intro to Public Speaking *
or COMX 115	Intro to Interpersonal Comm
Natural Sciences
Life Sciences & Physical Sciences:
SCIN 101	Integrated Sciences I *
SCIN 103	Integrated Sciences II *
SCIN 102	Integrated Sciences Lab I *
or SCIN 104	Integrated Science Lab II
Social Sciences and History
Social Sciences:
PSCI 210	Intro to American Government *
or PSCI 220	Intro to Comparative Govt
History:
HSTA 101	American History I *
or HSTA 102	American History II
Cultural Diversity
NASX 105	Intro Native American Studies *
or NASX 205	Native Americans in Contmp Soc
Arts and Humanities
Fine Arts:
MUSI 101	Enjoyment of Music *
Humanities:
Select from list
Professional Core for Elementary Education
EDSP 204	Intro to Tchng Exceptnl Lrnrs	3
EDU 105	Education and Democracy	3
EDU 220	Human Growth & Development	3
EDU 221	Educ Psyc & Measurement	3
EDU 353	Junior Field Experience	2
EDU 381	Curriculum Theory & Design	3
EDU 406	Phil, Legal & Ethical Issues	3
EDU 495B	Student Teaching: K-8	12
HTH 201	Health Issues for Educators	3
Subtotal		35
Required Elementary Education Courses
ARTZ 102	Fund of Art for Elem Teachers	2
EDSP 410	Spprtng Div Lrnrs thru Collab	3
EDU 270	Instructional Technology	3
EDU 331	Lit & Literacy for Children	3
EDU 343	Strat for Mnging Div Learners	2
EDU 383	Assessment in Education	3
EDU 397A	Methods: K-8 Language Arts	3
EDU 397B	Methods: K-8 Social Studies	3
EDU 397C	Methods: K-8 Mathematics	3
EDU 397D	Methods: K-8 Science	3
EDU 397M	Methods K-8:Intgrtng Arts/Curr	4
EDU 433	Reflective Practice Tchng Rd	3
EDU 438	Literacy Assessmnt, Diag, Inst	3
GPHY 121	Human Geography *	3
HEE 309	Health Enhancement Strat K-8	3
M 131	Math for Elementary Teacher II	3
Area of Concentration electives in consultation with advisor		15
Subtotal		62
Total Minimum Credits		128

*

May satisfy General Elective requirements.

Suggested Plan of Study

Students should talk with their faculty advisors prior to registration for classes.  It is a good practice to visit with the faculty advisor each semester.  The following suggested schedule provides a general overview of courses and work that will enable the Elementary Education major to progress through the degree in an orderly and timely manner.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
First Year
Fall
EDU 105	Education and Democracy	3
M 130	Math for Elementary Teachers I	3
WRIT 101	College Writing I	3
or WRIT 201	College Writing II
HSTA 101	American History I	3
or HSTA 102	American History II
COMX 111	Intro to Public Speaking	3
or COMX 115	Intro to Interpersonal Comm
Total		15
Spring
PSCI 210	Intro to American Government	3
or PSCI 220	Intro to Comparative Govt
ARTZ 102	Fund of Art for Elem Teachers	2
EDU 220 & 220L	Human Growth & Development and Human Growth & Development Lab	3
M 131	Math for Elementary Teacher II	3
MUSI 101	Enjoyment of Music	3
Gen Ed Humanities		3
Total		17
Submit fingerprints for Criminal Background Check first semester
Second Year
Fall
EDSP 204	Intro to Tchng Exceptnl Lrnrs	3
EDU 221	Educ Psyc & Measurement	3
EDU 270	Instructional Technology	3
HTH 201	Health Issues for Educators	3
SCIN 101	Integrated Sciences I	3
SCIN 102	Integrated Sciences Lab I	1
or SCIN 104	Integrated Science Lab II
Total		16
Apply for Admission to Educator Preparation Program Spring semester.
Spring
SCIN 102	Integrated Sciences Lab I (if not taken in Fall)	1
or SCIN 104	Integrated Science Lab II
SCIN 103	Integrated Sciences II	3
EDU 381	Curriculum Theory & Design	3
GPHY 121	Human Geography	3
NASX 105	Intro Native American Studies	3
or NASX 205	Native Americans in Contmp Soc
EDU 331	Lit & Literacy for Children	3
Total		16
Third Year
Fall
EDU 343	Strat for Mnging Div Learners	2
EDU 383	Assessment in Education	3
EDU 397A	Methods: K-8 Language Arts	3
EDU 397B	Methods: K-8 Social Studies	3
Area of Concentration		6
Total		17
Spring
EDSP 410	Spprtng Div Lrnrs thru Collab	3
EDU 353	Junior Field Experience	2
EDU 397C	Methods: K-8 Mathematics	3
EDU 397D	Methods: K-8 Science	3
EDU 433	Reflective Practice Tchng Rd	3
Area of Concentration		3
Total		17
Take PRAXIS II exam
Fourth Year
Fall
EDU 397M	Methods K-8:Intgrtng Arts/Curr	4
HEE 309	Health Enhancement Strat K-8	3
EDU 438	Literacy Assessmnt, Diag, Inst	3
Area of Concentration		6
Total		16
Spring
EDU 406	Phil, Legal & Ethical Issues	3
EDU 495B	Student Teaching: K-8	12
Total		15
Apply to student teach Fall semester.
Apply to graduate Fall semester.
Apply for licensure Spring semester.