Elementary Education (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (ED)
Departments: Elementary, Middle & Secondary Teacher Education (EMSTEd) and Special Education, Early Childhood & Prevention Science (SECP)     
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab

Program Information

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education has been designed to fulfill the requirements for the Kentucky teacher certification, grades P-5, which includes kindergarten.  This degree offers candidates several options from which to choose including single certification in elementary (K-5), interdisciplinary early childhood (birth -age 5), and moderate and severe disabilities (P-12), as well as dual certifications in elementary and interdisciplinary early childhood, and elementary and special education (Learning Behavior Disorders [LBD] and Moderate and Severe Disabilities [MSD]). Teacher education candidates pursuing Elementary Education must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of Language Arts/Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences along with the Arts and Humanities (e.g., music, art, movement/motion). If candidates choose a dual degree, then they must also demonstrate proficiency in that area as well. 

All of the certifications offer extensive field experiences in local schools under the supervision and support from accomplished teachers and University of Louisville field placement supervisors. 

Degree Summary

¹

Some courses required in this degree program may satisfy multiple requirements. To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements will require additional hours to complete the degree requirements. See the Degree Requirements and Track tabs for specific coursework.

²

Tracks that requires dual certification require additional coursework and may exceed 120 total hours to graduate.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education program requires the following:

• Minimum of 35 credit hours (can include hours in-progress during the semester applying)
• Minimum 2.75 or higher overall expanded GPA (all transfer and UofL credits combined), or a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours
• B-minus or better in all EDTP and EDSP courses
• Minimum test scores as required by the Education Professional Standards Board
• C or better in ENGL 102 (or equivalent) and in Oral Communication course
• Completion of Early Professional Courses
• Any other requirements as outlined in Application.

General Education Requirements

¹

MATH 150 is the QR course required for the Individualized track, as well as Dual Certification tracks in Moderate and Severe Disabilities, Learning and Behavior Disorders, and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education.

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

The following are not degree requirements, but are required for teacher certification purposes. They are recommended by the program to fulfill General Education Requirements: 

• Biology course and lab (S, SL)
• Physical Science course (S)

HIST 104 or HIST 105 are recommended by the program to fulfill the Social & Behavioral Historical Perspective General Education requirement.

College/School Requirements

Mid-Point Assessment Prior to Elementary and Special Education Student Teaching

Completion of all EDTP and EDSP courses with no grade lower than "B-"; "Pass" in all clinical field work; Electronic documentation of 200 hours of diverse and approved field experiences; satisfactory dispositions assessment; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics.

Program/Major Requirements

Degree Assessment

B-minus or better in student teaching and capstone courses; 2.75 cumulative university GPA; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance or better on all rubrics.

Certification Assessment

Satisfactory dispositions assessment; passing scores on PRAXIS content and PLT exams; completion of degree requirement.

¹

Not required for transfer students with 24 credit hours or more.  Students who successfully complete a first year experience course through another college may waive this requirement.

²

To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements will require additional hours to complete the degree requirements (or decrease the listed electives).

³

Restricted to students admitted to the professional teacher education program.

⁴

Students following the course sequence in the 2024/2025, 2025/2026, and 2026/2027 catalogs will take EDTP 477 for 1 credit hour.  Students following the course sequence in the 2023/2024 catalog and prior will take EDTP 477 for 3 credit hours.

Elementary Tracks

Single-Area Certification Tracks

Track in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood (Birth - Age 5)

Academic Plan Code(s): EREDBSRIEC

Track in Elementary P-5 (Individualized Studies)

Academic Plan Code(s): EREDBSRINS

¹

A minimum grade of C or better is required in MATH 150, MATH 151, and MATH 152.

¹

EDSP 240, EDSP 218, EDSP 260, EDSP 395, EDSP 422 should be completed prior to beginning professional program special education (EDSP) courses.

Dual Certification Tracks

Track in Elementary (P-5) and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood (Birth-Age 5)

Academic Plan Code(s): EREDBSRECE

¹

A minimum grade of C or better is required in MATH 150, MATH 151, and MATH 152.

Track in Elementary (P-5) and Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12)

Academic Plan Code(s): EREDBSRELB

Track in Elementary (P-5) and Moderate and Severe Disabilities (P-12)

Academic Plan Code(s): EREDBSRMSD

¹

A minimum grade of C or better is required in MATH 150, MATH 151, and MATH 152.

²

EDSP 240, EDSP 218, EDSP 260, and EDSP 422 should be completed prior to beginning professional program special education (EDSP) courses.

Flight Plan

Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (Birth - Age 5)

Elementary P-5 (Individualized Studies)

Moderate and Severe Disabilities (P-12)

Elementary (P-5) and Interdisciplinary Early Childhood (Birth - Age 5)

Elementary (P-5) and Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12)

Elementary (P-5) and Moderate and Severe Disabilities (P-12)

¹

Students following the course sequence in the 2024/2025, 2025/2026, and 2026/2027  catalogs will take EDTP 477 for 1 credit hour.  Students following the course sequence in the 2023/2024 catalog and prior will take EDTP 477 for 3 credit hours.

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report or create a What-if report.

The Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education with the available tracks prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/about/departments/academic-planning-accountability/disclosures/professional-licensure.

For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: 
https://online.louisville.edu/resources/compliance/license.