Elementary Education

Elementary Concentration Map

Saint Michael’s College Graduate Programs in Education have a state-approved program that leads to licensure as an elementary teacher in grades K-6.

Prerequisites for Admission to the Elementary Licensure Program include:

• A bachelor’s degree with successful completion of a liberal arts or science major or equivalent as defined in the Vermont Licensing Rules
• Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the major
• Successful completion of the entrance interview
• Evidence of successful work experience with children

All initial licensure applicants will apply to the MAT. Candidates may be eligible for an additional endorsement (different content area or level, for example, early childhood education) if requirements have been met.  Interested candidates should consult with their advisor.

Required Courses:
(3 credits unless otherwise noted)

• GED 516 – Educational Foundations: Understanding the Past and Creating the Future Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 520 – Child and Adolescent Development Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 522 – Teaching Literacy in the Pre-K-6 Classroom Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 613 – Mathematics in the Pre-K-6 Classroom Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 678 – Heroes, Art, and Social Justice: Aesthetic Perspectives Credits: 3 cr.
  or GED 693 – Integrating Arts, Social Studies and Language Arts: Pre-K-6
• GED 695 – Teaching Pre-K-6 Science and Engineering Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 528 – Pre-K-6 Curriculum, Assessment and Management Credits: 4 cr.
• GED 641 – Teaching in the Inclusive Classroom Pre-K-12 Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 643 – Multisensory Language-Based Literacy Instruction for Students with Disabilities Credits: 3 cr. (Prerequisite: GED 522)
• GED 550 – Student Teaching Internship Credits: 6 cr.
• GED 555 – Student Teaching Seminar Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 691 – Personalized Inquiry: Finding your Why Credits: 2 cr.

One-Year Course Sequence (see chart below) or Two-Year Course Sequence (linked here)

For more information on elementary licensure, contact:

Amy Saks Pavese
asakspavese@smcvt.edu
802.654.2826

License reciprocity

Vermont is part of the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, a collection of over 50 individual agreements by states and Canadian provinces. Each individual “agreement” outlines which other states’ educator certificates will be accepted by the state. This means that in earning a recommendation for Vermont licensure candidates will fulfill most, if not all, requirements for licensure in many other states. Candidates are encouraged to check the Department/Agency of Education website for any other states in which they are planning to teach to determine if any additional requirements will need to be met. For updated information on the State of Vermont Board of Education Licensing Information, visit their website.

Early Childhood Education Endorsement

The Early Childhood Education Endorsement for Pre-Kindergarten through grade 3 is available for all elementary education licensure students. It requires two supplementary early childhood courses– GED 521 Early Childhood Education: Foundations, and GED 524 Early Childhood Education: Methods and Practice.

In order to be recommended for the early childhood education endorsement, students must take these courses in conjunction with all the required elementary education courses.

This endorsement is designed to prepare early education graduates who are committed to the provision of quality early childhood education for each and every child and their family. Using evidence-based practice, it emphasizes the values of equity and inclusion in supporting students to develop skills that will prepare them to work in diverse early education learning environments. Both courses require a practicum in an early childhood setting, and elementary licensure candidates pursuing this additional endorsement are strongly encouraged to student teach in a kindergarten classroom.

• GED 521 – Early Childhood Education: Foundations Credits: 3 cr.
• GED 524 – Early Childhood Education: Methods and Practice Credits: 3 cr.