Elementary Education and Literacy

The time is now to change the lives of kindergarten through sixth grade (K-6) children forever.

From your first experiential learning in a supervised field setting to your culminating clinical experience, you will be supported to foster identity-safe, asset-based spaces for diverse children and their families.  A focus on Trauma-Informed Practices, differentiated learning, and instructional technology is infused throughout your studies.

Our faculty bring a range of specializations to support your impactful teaching across all K-6 content areas: literacy, math, social studies, and science. You’ll learn to foster children’s inquiry-based thinking and critical thinking skills—whether in mathematics, science, or social studies. You’ll develop professional knowledge for expanding the languages and literacies of children through an asset-based lens in both reading and writing. Throughout your program, you’ll be supported through intentionally-paired methods courses and supervised clinical field experiences.

Our programs offer differentiated pathways for students with varying interests. Connect with an advisor to learn more!

Join us in investing in your professional growth toward impacting today’s generation of diverse K-6 children and the future of their communities.

Whether you are ready to start your first semester in college or you have already completed a bachelor’s degree, we have a program in Elementary Education and Literacy for you! Browse our options below.

If you are seeking a bachelor’s degree and your goal is to become an elementary (K-6) teacher, you should declare your major in Elementary Education. Additionally, you will select one of five concentration areas. Completion of this major will result in a bachelor of arts degree as well as qualification to apply for a teaching license in Elementary Education (K-6) in Colorado.

Beginning in Fall 2022, the Elementary Education Major will offer a new pathway for those who are interested in Elementary Education but do not intend to earn teacher licensure.

We also offer a minor in Elementary Education. This minor does not lead to teacher licensure, but it might be an option for you if you’re looking to learn more about the field without completing an entire licensure program.

Concentrations in the Elementary Education major

Develop your professional expertise by selecting from one of five concentrations. Each concentration consists of coursework that focuses on an area of professional interest.

Visit the Elementary Education Major, B.A. program page below to learn more about your concentration options.

If you have already completed bachelor’s degree (or expect to soon), and your goal is to become an elementary (K-6) teacher, you have two traditional pathways available; a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and a post-baccalaureate Elementary Teacher Licensure program.  The MAT earns you a master’s degree, and both programs earn you qualification to apply for a teaching license in Elementary Education (K-6) in Colorado.