The Elementary Education program seeks to prepare professionals to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences to meet the needs, capabilities, and interests of children in grades kindergarten through six. This program seeks to graduate individuals who value and demonstrate reflective practice through reasoned and purposeful decision making while respecting and honoring diversity within the ever-expanding global community. Courses and field experiences within the program are devoted to developing individuals' understanding of knowledge construction, learning, pedagogy, and reflective and responsible practice. The goals of the Elementary Education program include the following:

• Prepare state-certified teachers for classroom teaching positions in public schools, grades K-6.
• Promote the development of reflective practice and professionalism in teacher candidates' interactions with children, parents, and colleagues.
• Promote teacher candidates' continued development of cutting-edge research-based understandings, educational philosophy, and practice.
• Foster principles that incorporate appreciation and support of human dignity, diversity, and equal opportunities for all.
• Ground course-content in current research, national standards' based practices, and the Alabama Course of Study.