Elementary Education Major
As an Elementary Education major at Drake University, you’ll learn how to create impactful and accessible learning environments for students just beginning their education journeys.
School of Education | On-Campus
Program Options
Whether launching your career as a classroom teacher, adding an endorsement, or expanding your understanding of education, you’ll gain the tools to lead positive change in one or more of the following programs.
BSE in Elementary Education
Thorough teaching preparation at the elementary level satisfies all requirements for initial certification in Iowa. Building on a robust education core, you’ll study instructional methods specific to Kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms and acquire additional expertise through one or more endorsements.
Three and Teach
Complete your degree sooner, saving time and money. This accelerated track lets you finish coursework in three years and your student teaching assignment in the first semester of your fourth year.
Endorsements
Pursue your passion by adding one or more endorsements to your major. Endorsements, also known as specializations in other states, give you a deeper understanding of subjects you are interested in teaching. In-demand areas including SPED, literacy, and ESL are available for majors and as standalone programs for teachers already in the classroom.
Educational Studies Minor
Understand the role of education in a civil society. Designed for those who don’t aspire to classroom teaching, this minor delves into the history of the U.S. education system and contemporary issues.
International Teaching Minor
If you’re considering teaching abroad, this program helps you build cross-cultural fluency and develop effective learning experiences for your future students.
International Education Minor
Drake faculty designed this minor for any student who does not plan to be a teacher but is interested in education in international contexts.
Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Minor
Learn skills sought by top employers with the LEAD minor. Open to all Drake undergraduates, the LEAD program combines theory with hands-on experiences to cultivate ethical leadership skills and expand on your vision to support social change.
Social Justice in Urban Education Concentration
Learn to work effectively with diverse learners in urban settings. Through the School of Education’s emphases on social justice, reflective practice, and collaboration, you’ll develop your capacity to discern and overcome barriers to promote optimal outcomes for all students.
Meet the Faculty
Your professors pair classroom experience with active research interests to give you the latest insights shaped by practical, real-world knowledge.
Kevin Lam, Ph.D.
Professor, Urban & Diversity Education; Director of Social Justice in Urban Education Concentration
Tonia Land, Ph.D.
Department Chair, Teaching and Learning ; Professor, Mathematics and Technology Education
Outside the Classroom
Teaching isn’t something solely taught through lectures and assignments. Instead, you have to experience it. Drake builds this approach into the Elementary Education program: you’ll study established educators and interact with students from the start before leading a classroom during your final semester.
Classroom Observations and Practicum
Benefitting from our partnerships with multiple school districts, you’ll observe multiple instructional settings and complete a 40-hour practicum in your first year, gaining in-depth exposure in several local classrooms.
Student Teaching
Your final year brings everything you’ve learned together. You’ll hone your skills under the mentorship of a seasoned teacher while serving in an elementary classroom for 15 weeks.
University and Community Organizations
Enrich your preparation with service. Each year, the School of Education hosts a community partners’ fair, connecting you with paid and volunteer opportunities to work with more than a dozen organizations like Head Start, Save the Children Action Network, and the Boys and Girls Club of Central Iowa.
Undergraduate Research Assistantships
Collaborate with a faculty member on a research project through a paid assistantship. You’ll develop analytical skills and explore impactful topics like science pedagogy, socioscientific learning, and at-risk students to help advance the field.
Student Organizations
Build community and strengthen your professional preparation through groups like the Drake Education Association (DEA) and Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society that recognizes and promotes scholarship and excellence in education.
Scholarships
100 percent of full-time Drake undergraduate students receive financial support. In addition to university-wide aid, the School of Education has multiple scholarships funded by community members that support education majors and help fund their training.
Careers & Skills
Your Drake education equips you to embark on a rewarding career where you’ll engage elementary-grade students in the joys of learning and exploration. Plus, with multiple endorsements available, you can strategically tailor your degree to maximize your opportunities and take on additional roles in your school or district.
Examples of Employers
- Cedar Rapids Community School District
- Des Moines Public Schools
- Denver Public Schools
- Kofu, Japan
- Eden Prairie, Minnesota
- IDEAL School of Manhattan, New York
- Austin, Texas
Skills
- Student assessment
- Curriculum development
- Instructional planning
- Classroom management
- Communication
- Learning theory and student development
Salary & Growth Outlook
The median salary for kindergarten and elementary school teachers in 2024, with a $50,000 minimum starting salary in Iowa. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Additional Information
Prior to taking any methods courses, students must fulfill requirements to be accepted into Teacher Education. Talk to your advisor about a timeline and requirements.
Teacher Education admission requirements include:
- A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above
- All InTASC Standards met at the BEGINNING level
- A completed application
- Two checklist forms or recommendations, at least one from a School of Education faculty member
- Successful background check
To qualify for the Three and Teach Accelerated Track, students need:
- 15 or more AP or college credits
- A 3.5 or above GPA
To complete a program via the Three and Teach Accelerated Track students must fulfill:
- Drake general curriculum requirements
- School of Education (SOE) curriculum requirements
- One or more full endorsement requirements
Next Steps
Find out if you qualify by taking this short survey or if you have questions, reach out to Lindsay Woodward, lindsay.woodward@drake.edu.
Take the Next Step
Shape the next generation of students through expert instruction and mentored practice in Drake’s bachelor’s in Elementary Education program.
