Elementary school teachers shape how children understand the world — and themselves. GCU's Elementary Education (K–6) program prepares you to teach English Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies across kindergarten through Grade 6, in general, inclusive, and special education settings, with an optional Middle School Endorsement in Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. Combined with a content area major, you'll graduate NJ-certified and classroom-ready.
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The Elementary Education (K–6) program offers optional middle school endorsements in four subject areas — Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies — that extend your certification beyond the elementary level. Each endorsement requires 15 credits in the subject area and a passing score on the relevant Praxis II Middle Level test. For teachers who want maximum career flexibility, each endorsement allows you to teach in both elementary and middle school settings with a single preparation program.
Every GCU Elementary Education graduate earns the Teacher of Students with Disabilities (TOSD) Endorsement automatically — not as an add-on but as an integrated component of the program. This means you're prepared and certified to serve students with and without disabilities in general, inclusive, and special education settings. New Jersey schools specifically value TOSD endorsed elementary teachers because virtually every K–6 classroom includes students with diverse learning needs.
GCU's elementary education candidates accumulate over 225 hours of clinical experience BEFORE their 14-week full-time student teaching placement. Clinical hours begin with Foundations of Special Education (25 hours) and build through three additional clinical practice courses — ensuring that when you enter your own classroom for student teaching, you've already logged hundreds of hours of real teaching experience.
The M.A.T. in Elementary Education (K–6) is available through Advanced Admission for eligible seniors. By enrolling in up to 12 graduate credits during your senior year, you begin your graduate program before you even earn your bachelor's degree — accelerating your path to the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) and a graduate teaching credential.
Georgian Court University Teacher Education (Initial-Licensure) and Advanced Level Programs are nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Elementary teachers are generalists by design — responsible for building foundations in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies across the most formative years of a child’s education. GCU’s Elementary Education (K–6) program prepares teachers who are both strong in a specific content area AND comprehensively equipped to teach across the elementary curriculum.
The professional education sequence for elementary certification runs parallel to your content major throughout the four-year program. After completing the prerequisite core in Child and Adolescent Development, Foundations of Special Education, and Ethics & Foundations of American Education, candidates move into a carefully sequenced set of methods courses covering literacy instruction, mathematics instruction, science and technology integration, social studies integration, foundational literacy, educational assessment, and special education curriculum planning — alongside a series of clinical practice experiences in real K–6 classrooms.
The program’s optional Middle School Endorsements are a distinctive feature that adds significant career flexibility without requiring a separate program. A teacher certified K–6 with a middle school endorsement in Mathematics, for example, can teach math anywhere from kindergarten through Grade 8 — a credential that opens twice as many positions as K–6 alone.
The 14-week full-time clinical practice capstone places candidates in general and inclusive elementary settings under the supervision of an experienced cooperating teacher and a GCU clinical supervisor — the culminating professional experience of the program.
GCU’s Elementary Education (K–6) program is a great fit if you:
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten & Elementary Teachers | $52,000–$62,000 | $76,200 | $90,000–$105,000+ |
| Special Education Teachers (TOSD) | $54,000–$65,000 | $73,800 | $92,000+ |
| Preschool Teachers | $32,000–$45,000 | $43,200 | $58,000+ |
Job Outlook
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
Requirements include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Education Courses in Elementary Education 1 | ||
| ED3110 | Ethics & Foundations of American Ed | 3.0 |
| SPE3030 | Foundations of Special Education | 3.0 |
| ED3130 | Essentials of Instruct. for Elem & Secon | 3.0 |
| ED3242 | Foundational Literacy Instruction | 3.0 |
| SPE3032 | Assessment in Special Education | 3.0 |
| ED3209 | Math Instruct. in EC & ELEM Ed | 3.0 |
| ED3222 | Lit Integ in EC & Elem Social St | 3.0 |
| ED3306 | Assess & Remediate Math Diffic | 3.0 |
| SPE3031 | Literacy & Curriculum Planning | 3.0 |
| ED4309 | Educ. Ref. and Eff. Prac. Ele. & Sec. | 3.0 |
| ED4304 | ELEM Ed Clinical Practice | 9.0 |
| Total Credits | 39.0 | |
Praxis Tests Elementary Teacher candidates are required to pass at least 2 of the 4 applicable Praxis II Elementary Education Multiple Subjects exams prior to part-time clinical practice consisting of 100 field hours. The outstanding Praxis II exams must be passed prior to full-time clinical practice. For Fall semester clinical practice, passing scores must be submitted by July 15; for Spring clinical practice, they must be submitted by December 15.
Step 1 — Apply to GCU:
Step 2 — Apply to the Teacher Education Program (complete before junior-year education sequence):
Step 3 — Praxis II Requirements:
Step 4 — Clinical Clearances (before first clinical placement):
Optional Middle School Endorsement Requirements: To earn a Middle School Endorsement (Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies), candidates must:
Transfer Students: GCU has articulation agreements with NJ community colleges. Students who complete the approved transfer curriculum and meet the teacher education program admission requirements may transfer into the Elementary Education program. Contact the Department of Education for transfer articulation details.
Upon completing the Elementary Education (K–6) with TOSD Endorsement program, candidates will demonstrate:
Q: Do I earn a degree in Elementary Education? A: No — at GCU, you earn a bachelor’s degree in your content major (for example, B.A. in English, B.A. in Mathematics, or B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies) plus New Jersey teacher certification in Elementary Education (K–6) with TOSD Endorsement. The certification is earned through the professional education coursework sequence alongside your content major.
Q: What content majors are available for the Elementary Education (K–6) certification? A: Biology, Chemistry, English, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Mathematics, Psychology, and Visual Art. The new NJ State policy also allows candidates to qualify with a minimum of 30 semester-hour credits in core content subject areas (English, mathematics, social studies/history, and/or science) rather than a traditional single liberal arts major — speak with your advisor about how this may apply to your situation.
Q: What does the TOSD Endorsement add to my certification? A: TOSD stands for Teacher of Students with Disabilities. All GCU Elementary Education graduates earn this endorsement as an integrated part of the program — not as an add-on. It prepares you to work with students who have identified disabilities in both inclusive (co-taught) and special education settings. New Jersey’s schools are increasingly inclusive, meaning nearly every K–6 classroom includes students with IEPs and 504 plans. The TOSD endorsement makes you significantly more employable and more effective.
Q: What are the optional Middle School Endorsements, and should I pursue one? A: Elementary Education (K–6) candidates have the option to earn one or more Middle School Endorsements in Language Arts/Literacy, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies. Each endorsement extends your certification eligibility into Grades 7 and 8 in that subject area. To earn an endorsement, you need 15 credits in the subject area, a passing Praxis II Middle Level score in that subject, and a B or above in PS221. Pursuing a middle school endorsement significantly expands your job market — instead of being eligible only for K–6 positions, you’re eligible for K–8. Talk with your advisor about whether adding one makes sense for your goals and timeline.
Q: How many hours of clinical experience will I have before student teaching? A: You’ll accumulate more than 225 hours of clinical experience before your 14-week full-time student teaching placement:
Q: What is the GPA requirement to remain in the Elementary Education program? A: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required throughout the program. Students with GPAs between 2.75 and 2.99 may qualify for the Limited CEAS Pilot Program — speak with your advisor. Students below 2.75 must be dismissed from the program.
Q: Can I apply for Advanced Admission to the M.A.T. while still an undergraduate? A: Yes. Eligible Elementary Education students can apply for Advanced Admission to GCU’s M.A.T. in Elementary Education (K–6) before their senior year. Requirements: completion of 108 undergraduate credits with a 3.0+ GPA, a B or better in PS221 Child and Adolescent Development, and passing Praxis II scores. Accepted students may enroll in up to 12 graduate education credits (4 courses) during their senior year, which count toward both the bachelor’s degree and the M.A.T. The M.A.T. is then completed over three additional semesters — culminating in the Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS).
Q: When should I apply? A: Rolling admissions — apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Meet with an education advisor as early as possible — ideally in your first semester — to map your four-year sequence, since prerequisite education courses must be completed before the junior-year methods sequence begins and Praxis II timing requirements affect your clinical placement schedule.
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