Why study Elementary Education?

Why study Elementary Education?

The University of Cincinnati’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (ELEM) program prepares graduates to earn an Ohio Primary License. Graduates will be prepared to teach pre-kindergarten to grade five. Our graduates are able to teach in preschool facilities, Head Start programs, child-care centers, and kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms. Our faculty is committed to creating an early education curriculum that prepares our students to be committed, caring and competent educators who support each individual child’s learning and development abilities.

During the second, third and fourth years of the program, each candidate will receive hands-on experience within preschool, kindergarten, and grade school classrooms. In order to receive a teaching license, candidates must pass the Ohio Assessments for Educators exams. This program values diversity and aims at implementing inclusion, equity, and individual construction of knowledge within the curriculum.

During their learning experiences, students seeking licensure must be available full-time for ELEM classes and field experiences between the hours of 8a - 4p. They must also expect late afternoon/evening classes and evening teacher hours.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of this program will be prepared for the careers listed below. All opportunities may not be listed.

Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid).   To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage. 

Minoring in Elementary Education

The early childhood education and development minor offers students the opportunity to develop an understanding of how children develop from birth to age five. Students will get an introductory experience with early child care and infant and toddler care.

This minor provides students with knowledge about developmental concerns with young children and how to best work with the families of children. Student will be introduced to the concept of play as an important part of a child’s early learning and development. Students will also learn about the basics of developing creative instructional environments for young children. The required courses provide students with a beginning overview of child development and components of early learning environments. 

Major Maps

• Guide: Elementary Education (Updated Fall 2023)

Advising

CECH Student Services Center
College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services
360 Teachers-Dyer Complex
PO Box 210014
Cincinnati, OH 45221
513-556-2336
cechssc@uc.edu

UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Formed as the Teachers College in 1905, the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services continually merits local, state and national recognition. Recent commendations include:

• accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education
• a 65th ranking in U.S. News & World Report
• the Best Practice Award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
• consistently high scores by candidates on state mandated licensure exams

In addition, this program provides small classes, talented faculty in each discipline and extensive field clinical experiences in urban and suburban schools.

Special Programs

Future Educators of America (FEA)

UC’s FEA chapter is dedicated to fostering the love of teaching, examining the reality of teaching and promoting the rewards of teaching. FEA is open to all UC students; however, our main focus is to offer a path for teacher education students to stay connected to their college and to their future profession. Members have the opportunity to work with children and young adults in local schools and FEA chapters.

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP)

Kappa Delta Pi is a prestigious international honor society that recognizes scholarship and excellence in the field of education. Members must have a college GPA of at least 3.0 for undergraduate students or 3.25 for graduate students. KDP members work on several volunteer activities that focus on education. Some of the benefits of being a member of KDP include annual scholarships, professional development, a nationwide job database and access to the ideas, research, insights and expertise of internationally renowned educators.

Minority Association of Future Educators

The purpose of this organization is to provide minority students with a space where they can speak about the challenges they face in and out of the classroom, as well work to motivate and inspire them to be successful and outstanding teachers and role models.

Student Council for Exceptional Children (SCEC)

SCEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, gifted children, and typically developing students. If you are committed to children, focused on becoming the best educator and want to meet new people, then SCEC is for you! Membership dues permit you to receive professional development opportunities, journals and newsletters with new research and classroom practices and the opportunity to attend conventions and conferences.

Students for the Education of Young Children (SEYC)

SEYC helps students prepare to enter the teaching profession as early childhood educators. It provides opportunities to network with other professionals and members of the Cincinnati Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) and its state and national affiliated groups. Students provide outreach to centers/schools (preschool through grade three), participate in service projects, and contribute to CAEYC activities such as Week of the Young Child, annual conference, and community lecture series. Students have presented at the NAEYC conference in Washington, DC. Past members welcome and mentor all new students.

CECH Tribunal
The purposes of the CECH Tribunal are to ensure that the interests of the students of the college are voiced and to provide student representation on behalf of all undergraduate students in CECH where representation is warranted. Also, the tribunal organizes programs and social events for students of the college.

CECH Student Ambassadors

The Student Ambassador program represents CECH at the University of Cincinnati by assisting with the recruitment and retention of students in the college. CECH student ambassadors provide a valuable service by representing the student perspective of university life to prospective and new students. Ambassadors also represent the college at numerous collegiate functions, professional events and key promotional events. Being selected as a CECH student ambassador is an honor that reflects academic rigor and a commitment to the fields of education, health promotion and education and criminal justice.

Admission Requirements

Admission into the Elementary Education licensure program is a two-tiered process. After being accepted into the ELEM program, students apply in the fall semester of their sophomore year to ELEM Teacher Candidacy. 

Elementary Education Program Admissions:

Freshmen applicants, please visit the Admission Requirements page for more information.

Elementary Teacher Candidacy Admission:

1) ELEM students must apply for admission to ELEM Teacher Candidacy during fall semester sophomore year.

2) Minimum GPA of a 3.0 required.

3) ACT 22 or SAT 1080 (math and verbal combined) recommended.

4) If no ACT or SAT is submitted or the recommended minimum test score is not met, students must take and submit their score for the official UC Math Placement Assessment. Minimum score of 30 required for admission to Teacher Candidacy.

5) Grade of "C" or better in all education courses.

6) Complete all required pre-requisite Teacher Candidacy course work and program requirements.

7) In good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.

8) Provide clean BCI/FBI background checks.

Transferring to UC Requirements

Admission to this program is generally available for students transferring to the University of Cincinnati if they were admissible directly from high school and have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (all prior institutions combined).

Students who were NOT admissible directly from high school must have:

• 24 semester (36 quarter) hours earned
• at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (all prior institutions combined)

All transfer students must apply and be admitted to the ELEM program and, separately, to ELEM Teacher Candidacy.

• All transfer students must meet the cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0.
• Students who do not meet the recommended ACT 22 or SAT 1080 scores (math and verbal combined), must take and pass the UC Math Placement Assessment with a minimum score of 30.

Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers. Please meet with an academic advisor in the CECH Student Services Center for details.

International Student Requirements

International students should contact the University of Cincinnati's Office of Admissions for details regarding admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from the UC College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, a student must:

• Complete all required course work and program requirements.
• Obtain at least a 3.0 university grade point average.
• Submit EdTPA.
• Be in good academic standing; that is, not on academic or disciplinary probation or suspension.
• Meet the college residency requirement of 30 semester credit hours.
• File formal application for the degree by the posted deadline.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester

Freshmen:

• Early Action Deadline (non-binding): Dec 1*
• Rolling Deadline March 1
• Confirmation Deadline: May 1

* Your application must be complete by this date in order to be considered for scholarships and the Honors Program.

Transfer:

• Application Deadline: July 1
• Confirmation Deadline: Aug. 1

Spring Semester

Freshmen and Transfer: 

• Application Deadline: Nov. 1
• Confirmation Deadline: Dec. 1

Summer Semester

Freshmen: 

• Application Deadline: March 1
• Confirmation Deadline: April 1

Transfer:

• There is no summer admission for transfer students. Please apply to fall or spring terms only.

Accreditation

The educator preparation programs at the University of Cincinnati are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This program has been determined to meet the Ohio reading mandate and is aligned with the Ohio Content Area Standards.