Graduate Certificate in Enhanced Teaching Practice for Elementary Teachers

Research provides a clear connection between student success and teacher success. That’s why Indiana licensing regulations and teacher evaluations have moved to a model of improving teacher effectiveness. While teacher effectiveness is a district responsibility, the goal of the evaluation process is to increase teacher effectiveness to achieve the “Highly Effective” teacher rating.

As part of your professional growth plan toward becoming an increasingly “Highly Effective” teacher, the online certificate in enhancing teaching practice for elementary teachers concentrates on the areas of:

• Classroom management
• Classroom assessment
• Technology use
• Reading and writing instruction
• Differentiated instruction

The certificate is taught by faculty who hold doctorates and teach in Ball State's Teachers College, one of the most comprehensive and renowned colleges of education in the country. The certificate can be completed in two or three semesters.

The 15-credit certificate is also a good option if you’re considering a master’s degree in the future because it partially completes requirements for the master's in elementary education (MAE).

Program Contacts

Becky Druetzler
Academic Advisor

Lisa Hawkins
Director of Graduate Programs

Course Requirements

The certificate consists of five courses. There are no course prerequisites.

• EDRD 610 The Teaching of Reading in the Elementary School (3 credits)
• EDEL 626 Discipline and Classroom Management (3 credits)
• ECYF 630 School, Family, and Community Partnerships (3 credits)
• EDEL 655 Principles of Differentiation in the Elementary Classroom (3 credits) or EDEL 657 Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of Elementary Classroom Programs (3 credits)
• EDEL 660 The Effective Use of Technology in the Elementary Classroom (3 credits)

For a complete list of program requirements and courses, see the course catalog.

View Catalog

Completion of this certificate does not lead to initial licensure.

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Students from Other States

Ball State is authorized to accept online students from all U.S. states. However, certain states have regulations regarding licensing programs in nursing and education. Learn more about state authorizations for non-Indiana students.