The foundation of the Elementary Education Program comprises essential knowledge, established in current research findings, and sound professional practice necessary to prepare teachers for the 21^st century. This is evident in the program's goals and in the content of individual courses. The program emphasizes ethical values as an integral and essential part of education in a democratic society. The program's goals are to prepare teachers who:

• Are self-directed, independent lifelong learners
• Are ethical individuals who utilize critical inquiry and make perceptive, reflective and thoughtful decisions
• Accept responsibility for teaching all learners
• Possess a knowledge and application of the constructivist philosophy of teaching
• Promote the development of reflective practice
• Possess knowledge and skills of cutting-edge research based practices
• Foster appreciation of human dignity, diversity, and equal opportunities for all
• Ground course content in current research and state and national standards
• Obtain state-certification for grades K - 6 classroom
• Obtain state-certification for grades K - 6 classroom

Incoming freshmen should meet with their assigned advisor beginning their first semester for information about your general studies. The  Program Checklist  provides  a list of the required courses in the general studies usually taken the freshman and sophomore years. For recommended guide for the sequence of general studies courses, click on Recommended Course Sequence for Freshmen and Sophomores  

Upon application and subsequent admission into the program, students typically enter their junior year.  The process usually begins during the sophomore year.  Information provided in the CTEE 1010 Orientation to Elementary Education course can provide current and vital information about this process.  CTEE 1010 should be taken no later than your sophomore year. Information about the application process may be found at  Admission to Teacher Education 

Undergraduate students in the Elementary Education program at Auburn University are organized into cohort groups and usually take 12 - 18 hours per semester. Cohort groups are admitted each fall and spring semester. Each cohort group has a required set of blocked courses. Each block of courses has a particular focus and is designed to build on previous coursework.  Click on Required Course Sequence for Juniors and Seniors (cohort guide)   .  Each semester teacher candidates will complete a variety of field based experiences. Emphasis is placed on providing each teacher candidate with a variety of grade level experiences with diverse groups of children.

Presently, we have several options for the internship experiences. Internship placements are made for the fall and spring semester. Each teacher candidate completes a full semester assign to one teacher in an elementary classroom. Applications for internship should be submitted one year prior to placement. See Admission to Internship for more information.  We are presently requesting internship placements with the Auburn City School System, the Lee County School System, Opelika City System, Tallapoosa County School System, the Birmingham City area, and overseas through the COST program.