An elementary school teacher not only helps children learn, but prepares tomorrow's leaders. Our bachelor's degree in elementary education prepares you to teach kindergarten through sixth grade.
As an elementary education major, you'll have multiple opportunities to work with children and teachers in local schools and community organizations. While gaining a foundation in a wide range of subjects, you'll also choose a specific area of emphasis through one of 12 concentration areas.
You'll participate in a semester of student teaching. This experience will give you a planned, supervised environment where you will demonstrate the knowledge, performance, and dispositions you learned in your Ball State classes. You may choose to student teach here in Indiana or pursue an opportunity throughout the U.S. or abroad. Learn more.
Program Benefits
You'll learn from and work directly with dedicated faculty members who have at least three years of professional experience in classrooms and other school settings.
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You'll begin working in the field, directly with students and professional teachers, and this will continue through student teaching to graduation.
Through Ball State's Professional Development Schools program, we partner with a number of elementary schools and early childhood centers to provide placements for our practicum students and student teachers.
Our Urban Experience, which has been running for more than 20 years, will allow you to take all of your courses off campus at a school in the Indianapolis area. This program is during the first semester of your senior year, which allows you stay in the district to student teach, if you wish.
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Our programs offer real-world applications and immersive learning projects, in which you'll gain valuable, hands-on experience working alongside community organizations such as museums, childcare centers, and community agencies.
You also have a variety of opportunities to travel and learn, including studying abroad in England and student teaching in Texas or Germany.
Study Abroad SCC Immersive Learning
Elementary Education Majors will have access to the Instructional Technology Design Studio (iTDS) program to gain hands-on experience in integrating technology into teaching. iTDS empowers educators and students through workshops, project support, and a creative space that fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation. This program builds valuable skills in technology adoption, instructional planning, and leadership for success in today’s dynamic learning environments.
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As a freshman, you’ll live in Palmer/Davidson Halls with other Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies students.
Our Living-Learning Community will allow you to get to know your classmates and connect with our campus through team-building activities that promote higher academic achievement.
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On top of the dozens of scholarships the university offers its students, our department gives awards every year to its own students to recognize them for their achievements. Learn more.
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Take the Next Step
If you’d like to learn more about our Elementary Education Major, please contact us. Or one of the best ways to get a true feel for Ball State is to see it for yourself, so schedule a visit today! And if you’re ready to apply, review our admission requirements and complete our online application.