Bachelor of Science Elementary Education

For many, teaching elementary school is more than a job—it’s a calling. It is a gratifying profession that allows you to make a tangible difference in young lives and instill the joy of learning in future generations. If you appreciate care, creativity, and connection, teaching elementary school may be for you.

Elementary educators play a crucial role in nurturing the academic growth, social development, and emotional well-being of the youngest among us. They strive to foster positive relationships with students and families and to make learning fun with engaging lesson plans, hands-on activities, and innovative teaching methods designed to cater to different learning styles and interests. Every day at UT Southern’s Grissom School of Education brings new opportunities to inspire young minds and shape the future.

We believe in preparing knowledgeable educators adaptable to professional, social, and technological change. Our mission is to foster lifelong learners committed to service and continuous professional development through inquiry and reflective practice.

Whether you choose our Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, a particular subject with K-12 licensure, or Special Education with interventionist licensure, our programs are designed to empower you with the skills and credentials to thrive in diverse educational settings. We’re especially thrilled to share that over the past three years, all elementary education graduates have swiftly found teaching positions, a testament to the readiness and excellence of our program.

However, it’s important to know that because licensure programs are professional programs, you must formally apply and be granted admission into a particular program. You can learn more about these requirements in the UT Southern Course Catalog. Further, Tennessee teacher licensure, as is often the case throughout the country, includes a pivotal clinical practice component. This hands-on experience, which lasts fifteen weeks and involves two placements within a 50-mile radius of our campus, prepares you for the challenges and rewards of classroom leadership.

Even if your career path doesn’t include traditional licensure, our non-licensure track in elementary education offers an enriching alternative. You can engage in upper-division coursework focused on English, religion, sociology, social work, or psychology, as well as a Senior Capstone, allowing you to contribute to educational discourse and practice.

Also, students in our programs have the flexibility to specialize further and tailor their education to their interests and career goals. For example, you can pursue an endorsement in Special Education by taking five additional courses. Or you can opt for a minor in Coaching or pursue specialized training through our state-approved Driver’s Education Endorsement, which is available to all education majors.

A Word About Minors

A minor in another field of study may be possible. A minor, which is typically eighteen credit hours, is a grouping of courses in a particular academic field of study designed to provide you with expanded knowledge and competency in an area outside your major. Reach out to a program coordinator for more information.