College of Education

Bachelor of Science (BS), Elementary Education with add-on certification in Special Education Learning Disabilities (K-12)

Program Overview

The Elementary Education – Special Education: Learning Disabilities program offers you a hands-on approach to teaching students in second through sixth grades, while also equipping you to teach and assess students with learning disabilities in kindergarten through 12th grade. The added certificate in learning disabilities gives you the flexibility to teach in any grade. This program is strong in clinical experiences, offering you three additional field experiences specific to learning disabilities. Upon graduation, you’ll be a highly marketable candidate. You can go on to be a special education teacher, elementary teacher, or principal.

Admission Resources

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Program at a
Glance

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS

130

DETAILS

Total Credit Hours: 130
Program Type: Bachelor’s
Format: Seated (Main Campus)
Time to Complete: 4 Years (8 Semesters)
Start Date: Fall: August | Spring: January
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Why AU?

Anderson University’s College of Education has strong partnerships with local school districts, both public and private. These partnerships allow students to learn through embedded clinical experiences and spend time with students in classrooms throughout their time at AU. Dozens of school districts visit AU’s campus for our annual networking event to interview our teacher candidates. Many students end the day with job offers or opportunities to pursue from multiple districts. Our students are strongly positioned to enter the workforce because both their skills and character are in high demand.
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The Knowledge You Will Gain

Elementary Education students complete coursework in educational pedagogy, literacy, content methods, and embedded clinicals in addition to core classes. If you are seeking the LD add-on, you will take several courses specifically designed to support your development as an aspiring special educator. Your curriculum will be a balance of building your content area knowledge and learning the foundational educational theories to build your teaching expertise.

Career Outlook

One of the most versatile education degrees, this program offers a range of career opportunities for teacher candidates. Graduates of this program are highly marketable. Equipped with the confidence to help a student with any learning disability, these teacher candidates lead in a general education classroom. The benefits of this degree begin while you are in school. Students who pursue a degree in this field are eligible for federal grant money that is applied to your annual tuition. Generally, at least part of the grant, if not all of it, will be forgiven after several years of service or if you work in a certain geographic location. The median salary for an elementary school teacher is $61,350, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many educators chose to obtain master’s degrees to increase earning potential.

Starting Salaries

Principal: $98,400 Special Education Teacher, Secondary School: $63,650 Elementary Teacher: $61,350 Recent national median salaries sources: Bureau of Labor

 

knowledge 2

Knowledge You’ll Gain

Elementary Education students complete coursework in educational pedagogy, literacy, content methods, and embedded clinicals in addition to core classes. If you are seeking the LD add-on, you will take several courses specifically designed to support your development as an aspiring special educator. Your curriculum will be a balance of building your content area knowledge and learning the foundational educational theories to build your teaching expertise.

Career Outlook

One of the most versatile education degrees, this program offers a range of career opportunities for teacher candidates. Graduates of this program are highly marketable. Equipped with the confidence to help a student with any learning disability, these teacher candidates lead in a general education classroom. The benefits of this degree begin while you are in school. Students who pursue a degree in this field are eligible for federal grant money that is applied to your annual tuition. Generally, at least part of the grant, if not all of it, will be forgiven after several years of service or if you work in a certain geographic location. The median salary for an elementary school teacher is $61,350, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many educators chose to obtain master’s degrees to increase earning potential.

Starting Salaries

Principal: $98,400 Special Education Teacher, Secondary School: $63,650 Elementary Teacher: $61,350 Recent national median salaries sources: Bureau of Labor

 

Admission Requirements

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Previous Degree Required

No previous degree is required to enroll in this program.

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Transcript Requirements

Official high school or GED transcripts will need to be submitted as part of the application process for this program. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from their previous school.

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Additional Admission Requirements

Two essays (prompts) or official SAT, ACT, or CLT scores are required during the application process.

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Application Deadline

Anderson University has a rolling admission process (students are notified when the are accepted whenever that is during the year) but students are encouraged to apply by the following dates: December 1st for the best scholarship consideration and no later than July 1st to begin in the fall semester.

More Information

I-20 Approved: Yes
I-17 Approved: No
Non Degree Option Available (Minor): No
Program Director:
Dr. Kim Tisi
Breakdown of Credit Hours:
41 Credit Hours – University Core Requirements | 67 Credit Hours – Elementary Education Major Core Requirements | 15 Credit Hours – Special Education Learning Disabilities Concentration Requirements | 7 Credit Hours – Cognate Course Requirements
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Anderson University is a national leader in higher education in its use of technology to support and enhance all aspects of its core function—teaching and learning, which has led to the institution being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School since 2014. Through Anderson’s Digital Learning Initiative, Anderson has provided all of its residential undergraduate students and select graduate program students with an iPad Air and Apple Pencil. The mission of transforming learning experiences and preparing students to serve their communities and careers in the twenty-first century is enhanced through mobile devices developed by Apple.

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