B. A. in Elementary Education
Overview
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must declare the major, have completed at least 9 hours of education coursework, and have on file a cumulative Praxis Core score of at least 468, or an SAT score of at least 1100 (math and verbal only), or an ACT cumulative score of at least 24. If taken after March 2016, the SAT score must be at least 1170. In addition, a student must have at admission, and maintain throughout the program, a GPA of 2.75 with no grade lower than a “C” in major courses. A student must submit an Application for Admission to the Elementary Education Teacher Licensure Program and pass a national background check. Students must be accepted into the program before beginning the Professional Sequence courses. The Professional Sequence is comprised of three distinct semesters. The four courses in Professional Sequence I (PS I) serve as prerequisites to Professional Sequence II (PS II), while the four courses in PS II serve as prerequisites to Professional Sequence III (PS III).
Students may only repeat an education course once. If unsuccessful in a required education class after two attempts, the student may not retake the class a third time and will not be allowed to major in Elementary Education or Educational Studies.
*Elementary Education majors must complete FS101 Financial Literacy (1 hour) prior to graduation.
Recommendation for Licensure
Upon completion of all program requirements, including those summarized below, a student is eligible for recommendation for teacher licensure in North Carolina. Recommendation for licensure in other states is subject to the laws and requirements of those states, and compliance with those regulations is the responsibility of the student. The process for the recommendation for licensure is explained in the Student Teaching Handbook.
To receive Belmont Abbey College’s recommendation for initial licensure in North Carolina* a student must:
- Complete all required coursework (core, major, and electives) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75.
- Receive the recommendation of the Chair of the Department of Education and of the Licensure Officer.
- Receive the recommendation of the student teaching supervisors (IHE and LEA) and the designated LEA official responsible for LEA coordination of the senior-year student-teaching experience (Form IHE-01b).
- Successfully pass a background check conducted during student teaching.
- Complete all necessary application materials, obtain official transcripts, and pay any required state licensure fee(s)
As of August 2015, North Carolina allows elementary education program completers to teach for three years in NC public schools before passing required licensure exams and passing the edTPA performance assessment. Without passing scores, BAC will attest to program completion and the teacher candidate will pursue licensure through the state once the NCTEL passing scores are achieved.
Federal and State Compliance
The Elementary Education Teacher Licensure Program at Belmont Abbey College is fully accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI).
https://www.dpi.nc.gov/educators/educator-preparation/approved-programs
The Sister Christine Beck Department of Education of Belmont Abbey College is in compliance with Section 207 of Title II of the Higher Education Act of the United States Department of Education. This act requires Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) to report to the federal and state governments, as well as to the public. These reports and relevant data are available upon request from the Sister Christine Beck Department of Education Office.
It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Curriculum Requirements
The Core Curriculum (50-53 hours)
Please reference the Core Curriculum Requirements
Major Program Requirements (54 hours)
| Prerequisites for Professional Sequence | 15 |
| ED300 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| ED303 | Childrens Literature | 3 |
| ED305 | Introduction to the Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ED310W | Educ. Development & Psychology | 3 |
| ED315 | Arts Integration | 3 |
Professional Sequence
Professional Sequence I
| ED400 | Classroom Management | 3 |
| ED402 | Curriculum and Instructional Design | 3 |
| ED404 | Foundations of Math for Elem Teachers | 3 |
| ED405 | Educational Assessment | 3 |
| ED406 | Language Arts | 3 |
Professional Sequence II
| ED407 | Literacy and Assessment | 3 |
| ED408 | Teaching Social Studies in Elem Sch | 3 |
| ED409 | Teaching Science in Elementary School | 3 |
| ED410 | Teaching Mathematics in the Elementary School | 3 |
Professional Sequence III
| ED471 | Student Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| ED475 | Student Teaching | 9 |
Other Elective Courses (10-15 hours)