Educating the future.
As elementary education majors, students have the opportunity to earn their elementary education degree and make a difference in the lives of children every day. The elementary education program in the College of Adult and Professional Studies prepares adult students to teach grades K-6.
Start your future in elementary education.
Program Highlights
An education program designed for the busy adult
Friends University’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree program is designed to meet the needs of adults interested in pursuing a career in education.
Positive Relationships
Friends University enjoys an extremely positive relationship with the public schools in Wichita and the surrounding areas. These connections can be very helpful to post-graduate employment.
Instructive courses
The program includes instruction in reading, science, social studies, diversity, math, kinesthetic learning, technology, classroom management and professionalism, special education and the fine arts.
Passionate Faculty
Our elementary education program has maintained a high level of visibility and excellence throughout the years. Professors in the education department emphasize the latest techniques for providing quality instruction for children.
Licensed to Teach
This program is approved by the Kansas State Department of Education and accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Flexible Program
Classes start in January and May and are offered in the evening or in real-time virtual classes to allow adults to maintain their work, family and other commitments.
Career Services
Helpful career guidance
Licensing, Exams & Accreditation
Graduates are licensed to teach by the state of Kansas after successfully completing the degree and passing the Principles of Learning & Teaching (PLT) and the Praxis content exam. To be admitted into the program, students must have already earned their bachelor’s degree or have completed 90 credit hours from a two- or four-year regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA minimum.
Program Outcomes
KSDE Standards 1 through 7.
- Standard #1 – The kindergarten through sixth grade teacher demonstrates a high level of competence in use of the English language arts and knows, understands and uses concepts from emerging literacy, reading, language and child development to teach reading, writing, speaking, viewing, listening, and thinking skills and to help all students successfully apply their developing literacy skills to many different situations, materials and ideas.
- Standard #2 – The kindergarten through sixth grade teacher knows, understands, and uses the major concepts, procedures, and reasoning processes of mathematics that define numbers and operations, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability, and algebra so that all students understand relationships that can represent phenomena, solve problems and manage data.
- Standard #3 – The kindergarten through sixth grade teacher knows, understands, and uses fundamental concepts in the subject matter of science – including physical, life, and earth and space sciences – as well as concepts in science and technology, science in personal and social perspectives, the history and nature of science, the unifying concepts of science, and the inquiry processes scientists use in discovery of new knowledge to build a base for scientific and technological literacy for all students.
- Standard #4 – The kindergarten through sixth grade teacher knows, understands, and uses the major concepts and modes of inquiry from the social studies – the integrated study of history, geography, the social sciences, and other related areas – to promote all students’ abilities to make informed decisions as citizens of a culturally diverse democratic society and interdependent world.
- Standard #5 – The kindergarten through sixth grade teacher can design, implement, and evaluate arts experiences that are developmentally appropriate, meaningful and challenging for all students, that lead to positive learning outcomes, and that develop positive dispositions toward artistic explorations and expression.
- Standard #6 – The kindergarten through sixth grade teacher knows, understands, and uses the major concepts of health education and human movement and physical activity as central elements to foster active, healthy lifestyles and enhanced quality of life for all students.
- Standard #7 – The kindergarten through sixth grade teacher uses his/her understanding of children’s characteristics and needs and of multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging for all students.
Additional Funding Opportunities
USD 259 Special Education Forgivable Loan
Those wishing to become Special Education teachers in Wichita’s USD259 school district can get help funding their education. Wichita Public Schools will reimburse up to $9,500 to earn your endorsement. This includes tuition, fees, and required text books paying for up to 6 credit hours per semester. Learn more by clicking the button below:
Grow Your Teacher Program
Another USD259 program called Grow Your Teacher will help with up to $3,600 annually for college tuition and books and a teaching position with the district after program completion. Learn more by clicking the button below:
Special Education Endorsement Opportunity for Seniors
By careful planning with your academic success coach you may begin to complete graduate coursework leading to Pre-K-12 High Incidence special education licensure. As a senior who has completed at least 90 credit hours, you may begin taking course work toward the Special Education license endorsement by:
- Having a minimum overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Prior to actually enrolling in a 500/600 level course for graduate credit, you must complete a Request for Graduate Credit form. The form must include signatures from your academic success coach, the special education faculty member or department chair, the graduate dean and the registrar. This form must be submitted to the graduate office prior to enrollment. Once this form has been received and approved, the 500/600 level classes will be flagged for graduate credit. Please refer to Graduate School Policy in the current catalog for additional information regarding this process.