The 3+2 Elementary Education Program allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Education in five or more years. To be accepted into the 3+2 Elementary Education Program, each student must:
- Provide letters of recommendation from at least one Education Department faculty member and one faculty member of a core content area discipline
- Have demonstrated content knowledge by passing the relevant Praxis exam(s) as defined by the Colorado Department of Education
- Be accepted into Western's Teacher Licensure Program
- Successfully complete EDUC 340 Application of Pedagogy and Practice or show proof of registration
- Be on track to complete all coursework required within the academic major
Upon completing these requirements, students will be designated as "MAED candidates with provisional acceptance." Students will be designated as "MAED degree-seeking students" once they select their degree. Students who have completed all other requirements of the 3+2 Elementary Education Degree Program and all Western undergraduate requirements yet choose to leave the MAED program before Year Five will still have completed the BA in Elementary Education and are eligible to apply for their initial teacher license.
Program Requirements
Students seeking Elementary Licensure in the 3+2 Elementary Education Program (grades K-6) must complete the interdisciplinary requirements of the Elementary Education Major, all other University requirements, and the Elementary Licensure requirements set forth by the Colorado Department of Education.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary Education/Special Education Core Content: | ||
| BIOL 130 | Environmental Biology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 135 | Environmental Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| GEOL 101 | Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| GEOL 105 | Physical Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| or MATH 113 | Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) | |
| MATH 221 | Foundations of Mathematics for Teaching I | 3 |
| MATH 222 | Foundations of Mathematics for Teaching II | 3 |
| MATH 323 | Foundations of Mathematics for Teaching III | 3 |
| PHYS 140 | Introductory Physics (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| Two of the following: | 6 | |
| Introduction to Literature (GT-AH2) | ||
| Introduction to Creative Writing (GT-AH1) | ||
| Grammar and the English Language | ||
| Critical Approaches to Literature | ||
| Literature and Ethnicity: Studies in: | ||
| Poetry: Studies in: | ||
| Women Writers | ||
| Children's Literature | ||
| Four of the following (courses must include at least 3 disciplines): | 12 | |
| Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) | ||
| Microeconomics | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Introduction to Human Geography (GT-SS2) | ||
| Geography of North America (GT-SS2) | ||
| Geography of Latin America and the Caribbean | ||
| Topics in World History (GT-HI1) | ||
| American History through Reconstruction (GT-HI1) | ||
| U.S. History from the Civil War (GT-HI1) | ||
| Introduction to Environmental History (GT-HI1) | ||
| HIST OF THE MIDDLE EAST GHI1 | ||
| History of Europe (GT-HI1) | ||
| History of Africa (GT-HI1) | ||
| East Asia, 1500 - present | ||
| History of Latin America GHI1 | ||
| Colorado History | ||
| History of the Hispanic Southwest | ||
| Introduction to Political Ideas (GT-SS1) | ||
| Introduction to American Politics (GT-SS1) | ||
| Politics of the Environment | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
Specialization:
The Elementary Education Major requires students to take at least 18 credits in a specialized area of interest. The student may choose one of the following options:
Option 1 is to minor in any minor offered at Western Colorado University
Option 2 is to complete at least 18 credits in one of the Areas of Emphasis below:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity | ||
| Select six of the following: | 18 | |
| Borderlands: Representing Race, Class, Gender, and Sexuality | ||
| Women and Literature | ||
| Literature and Ethnicity: Studies in: | ||
| Women Writers | ||
| Geography of Latin America and the Caribbean | ||
| History of Africa (GT-HI1) | ||
| History of Latin America GHI1 | ||
| History of the Hispanic Southwest | ||
| Environmental History of the Borderlands | ||
| Politics of Social Movements | ||
| Human Rights | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Social Movements | ||
| Social Class, Status, and Power | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis in Global Citizenship | ||
| Select six of the following: | 18 | |
| Introduction to General Anthropology | ||
| Cultural Anthropology (with laboratory) | ||
| Dramatic Literature and Script Analysis | ||
| Public Relations Communication | ||
| Advanced Cinema Studies | ||
| International Economics and Globalization | ||
| Global Literatures: Studies in: The Underworld | ||
| Introduction to Environment and Sustainability (GT-SS2) | ||
| U.S. and Western Environmental Politics | ||
| Watersheds of the World | ||
| World Regional Geography (GT-SS2) | ||
| Introduction to Human Geography (GT-SS2) | ||
| Geography of Latin America and the Caribbean | ||
| History of Africa (GT-HI1) | ||
| African History: Topics | ||
| Introduction to World Politics (GT-SS1) | ||
| Politics of Social Movements | ||
| The Global South | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) | ||
| Social Problems | ||
| Social Movements | ||
| Social Class, Status, and Power | ||
| Elementary Spanish I | ||
| Elementary Spanish II | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) | ||
| Select six of the following: | 18 | |
| Foundation Drawing I | ||
| Foundation Design: Two-Dimensional | ||
| Foundation Design: Three-Dimensional | ||
| Environmental Biology (GT-SC2) | ||
| Introduction to Film | ||
| Introduction to Theatre (GT-AH1) | ||
| Introduction to Acting | ||
| Introduction to Media Production I | ||
| Multimedia Communication | ||
| Media Production: Documentary | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Introduction to Engineering Design | ||
| Applied Linear Algebra | ||
A 300-level MATH course | ||
| Introductory Astronomy (GT-SC2) | ||
| Meteorology (GT-SC2) | ||
| Energy and the Environment (GT-SC2) | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Required Education Coursework
The Elementary Licensure Program requires 42 credits of Education coursework and the Gateway course (including 6 credits of EDUC 619).
Pre-Residency Coursework:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 000 | Education Gateway Course | 0 |
| EDUC 102 | Learning & Teaching (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| EDUC 202 | Past, Present, and Future of Schooling in the US (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| EDUC 210 | Science Teaching Methods | 3 |
| EDUC 326 | Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 340 | Application of Pedagogy and Practice | 3 |
4th year Residency Coursework:
Elementary Licensure Coursework to be taken year 4 of 3+2 Elementary Education MAED Program.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 405 | Data-driven Instructional Practices | 3 |
| EDUC 408 | Teaching Writing with the Brain in Mind | 3 |
| EDUC 600 | Foundations of Literacy Development | 3 |
| EDUC 601 | Methods and Strategies of Effective Reading Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 604 | Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 613 | Methods and Strategies of Effective Mathematics Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 628 | Pedagogies for English Learners | 3 |
| Six credits of the following: | 6 | |
| Elementary Student Teaching | ||
| Total Credits | 27 | |
The residency for Elementary Licensure must be completed in a K-6 classroom, where students are expected to work cooperatively 24 hours per week with qualified mentor teachers. During this year-long clinical residency, students are applying and extending the pedagogical knowledge that they are learning in their Education courses. The Elementary Licensure coursework and the post-licensure coursework are taught online.
Once accepted to the 3+2 Elementary Education MAED Program, students must declare their MA emphasis and the School of Graduate Studies will designate the student as an "MAED degree seeking student." Students in the Elementary Education 3+2 Program may choose an MA emphasis in K-12 Online Leadership, Teacher Leadership, Reading Leadership or endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education.
All Elementary Education 3+2 students will be required to take 3-6 credits of 600 level education electives. The only exception is Master of Arts in Education with Endorsement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education which has a pre-determined 22 credit course series.
Elective Education Coursework to be taken in year 5 of the 3+2 Secondary and K-12 Education MAED Program. Please see the Graduate Catalog for program overviews and requirements for completing Master’s degrees and additional Colorado Teacher Endorsement areas.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| BIOL 130 | Environmental Biology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| BIOL 135 | Environmental Biology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| EDUC 000 | Education Gateway Course | 0 |
| EDUC 102 | Learning & Teaching (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 140 or MATH 113 |
College Algebra (GT-MA1) or Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) |
3 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| PHYS 140 | Introductory Physics (with laboratory) (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 202 | Past, Present, and Future of Schooling in the US (GT-SS3) | 3 |
| MATH 221 | Foundations of Mathematics for Teaching I | 3 |
| Elective | Specialization Elective | 3 |
| Elective | ENG Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 210 | Science Teaching Methods | 3 |
| GEOL 101 | Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| GEOL 105 | Physical Geology Laboratory (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| MATH 222 | Foundations of Mathematics for Teaching II | 3 |
| Elective | Specialization Elective | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MATH 323 | Foundations of Mathematics for Teaching III | 3 |
| Gen Ed | Arts & Humanities | 6 |
| Elective | Specialization Elective | 6 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 326 | Equity, Diversity, and Social Justice in Education | 3 |
| EDUC 340 | Application of Pedagogy and Practice | 3 |
| Elective | ENG Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Specialization Elective | 3 |
| Elective | Specialization Elective (upper divisional) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 405 | Data-driven Instructional Practices | 3 |
| EDUC 600 | Foundations of Literacy Development | 3 |
| EDUC 604 | Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 613 | Methods and Strategies of Effective Mathematics Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 619 | Elementary Student Teaching | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 408 | Teaching Writing with the Brain in Mind | 3 |
| EDUC 601 | Methods and Strategies of Effective Reading Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 619 | Elementary Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 628 | Pedagogies for English Learners | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 121 | |