Elementary Education

The Belhaven University School of Education is committed to sending highly-qualified teachers with character and competence into public and private schools. Students that major in elementary education will be prepared to transform children’s lives and their communities as they explore the relationship between education careers and biblical principles. Belhaven Elementary Education majors are given real-world experience through internships, practicum and student teaching opportunities in local elementary schools. The School of Education's goal is the development of Teachers as Servant Leaders, supported by its program that emphasizes academic excellence, professional knowledge, character development, and leadership opportunities.

What will I study?

You will study and learn how to become a qualified professional educator prepared for public or private education.  The following is a listing of just some of the courses in your plan of study.

• Child Development & the Characteristics of Children as Learners
• How Children Learn & How All Children Can Learn
• Curriculum Planning & Assessing Student Learning
• Developing Effective Learning Environments
• Classroom Management
• Clinical Classroom and School Observations
• Clinical Practice Student Teacher Internships

What can I do with a degree in Elementary Education?

• You will be able to become a state certified teacher in Elementary Education.
• You will be able to add endorsements to your teaching certificate as a minor in another subject content area which will qualify you to teach at additional subject and grade levels and make you more marketable for teacher placement.
• You will be in demand as a qualified teacher as in many locations throughout the United States there is an increasing demand for teachers due to the on-going retirement of many educators.

Why choose Education at Belhaven University?

• Courses are taught by professional educators who have been in the public and private schools and have a current understanding of teaching and learning and the knowledge base of contemporary curriculum issues in education today.
• Courses are taught by educators who are Christians who model the professional dispositions and characteristics of exemplary educators and who have a desire to know and assist our teacher candidates as individuals.
• You will experience personalized instruction and one-on-one interactions with the School of Education professors.

What kind of opportunities will I have in my major that will contribute toward my career?

• Membership in professional school, teacher and specialty subject associations
• Structured observation of a variety schools and classrooms in diverse learning environments as well as diverse student populations.
• National Education Honor Society
• Clinical internships in local school districts
• Community involvement, field trips, fundraisers and service projects, tutoring and international travel for education or missions.

What are Belhaven Education graduates doing now?

• Our teacher candidates are teaching in public and private schools in the local greater Jackson area school districts, throughout the State of Mississippi, and in other states throughout the United States.  Others are teaching internationally.
• Some of our graduates are teaching at the high school and higher education levels.
• We have many of our Education candidates that come back to continue their education at Graduate School level.
• Graduates form the M.Ed. or Ed.S. Education Leadership program are currently in private or public school leadership roles serving as administrators and/or superintendents.
• There are Belhaven Education graduates involved with various educational research associations.
• We have Education graduates teaching on the mission field.

Read additional important about the Undergraduate School of Education pertaining to secondary teacher education, Teacher License for Those Majoring in the Performance or Visual Arts and more.