Education, B.A.

The B.A. in education at Saint Louis University aims to develop reflective individuals educated in the liberal tradition and committed to service, inquiry and value-centered learning. It also seeks to prepare students who want an education background and have leadership qualities including risk-taking, civic responsibility and ethical character. An education degree is a valuable asset for a number of careers related to education and schooling . The main objective of all programs is to prepare dedicated, reflective scholar practitioners who exhibit the knowledge, skills, and dispositions embedded in the conceptual framework of the School. As reflective scholar practitioners, the shared values that guide our School include social justice, cura personalis, excellence, integrity and trust, and respect. Students are prepared to be reflective educators who are able to implement educational programs consistent with their areas of expertise.

Curriculum Overview

The B.A. in Education degree consists of a 121-137 credits (depending on certification area)  including education core, content and required coursework. 

Students in the School of Education are also required to complete the core curriculum required by the University, providing a well-rounded liberal arts background to enhance their educational experience and professional value.

• Students enter into a tight-knit community of faculty and peers committed to innovative learning, diversity and the intellectual ideas of the Jesuit tradition.
• Students will be prepared to practice "Cura Personalis" — care for the whole person — and work for social justice in their communities.
• Students will graduate prepared to collaborate with families, build classroom communities, have high expectations for all students and advocate for social change.

Students choose from three different concentrations in the education major:

Early Childhood Education

Our early childhood education is for students who are interested in helping young children expand their minds. You will learn about the intellectual and emotional development of children 8 years old and younger and explore ways to create an environment that allows all children to thrive.

SLU's early childhood education program emphasizes practical experience. You'll spend the majority of your coursework time teaching in local public or private schools.

Early Childhood with Early Childhood Special Education 

Early Childhood Education with a concentration and focus on communication skills and techniques specific to teaching students who have disabilities. 

Coursework examines speech and language development, language instruction in mainstreamed classrooms, as well as medical implications in special education. 

Elementary Education

This concentration prepares you to develop and instruct young people. You’ll learn communication skills and teaching techniques specific to first through sixth grade students.

If you pursue the concentration in elementary education from SLU’s School of Education, you’ll take courses not only in teaching methods but in children's literature and media, creative arts and movement, and elementary methods of teaching mathematics, science and social studies.

Elementary Education with Special Education for Mild/Moderate Disabilities

This concentration focuses on communication skills and special techniques specific to teaching students who have disabilities. Graduates of SLU’s program are prepared to teach in both the fields of elementary education (grades one through six) and special education K through 12. 

Coursework examines speech and language development, instruction methods for remedial math, and language instruction in mainstreamed classrooms, as well as counseling and medical implications in special education. You’ll also have an opportunity to student teach in an inclusive classroom.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Practical experience, classroom observations and student teaching are integrated in the education curriculum experience at Saint Louis University. Throughout the program, students spend a significant amount of time in local public or private schools.

Careers

Benefits of this program also include fieldwork and career opportunities. Most graduates elect to pursue a career in teaching, but many choose to continue their studies in an additional graduate programs before entering the work force.

Career options in early childhood education include:

• Child care specialist
• Educational outreach professional
• Preschool teacher
• Teacher, kindergarten through third grade
• Private tutor

Career options in elementary education include:

• Arts and education program coordinator
• Educational outreach professional
• Teacher, first through sixth grade
• Private tutor
• Nonprofit specialist

Careers in elementary with special education include:

• Day care specialist
• Educational outreach professional
• Preschool teacher
• Teacher, first through sixth grade
• Teacher, kindergarten through twelfth grade (special education classroom)
• Private tutor
• Special educator
• Nonprofit specialist

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate students may apply to the School of Education either at the time of their admission to the University or upon completion of at least 15 credits with a cumulative grade point average appropriate to their major area. Students may obtain the major-change application from the Dean's Office of the School of Education.

Once accepted into the School of Education, students are assigned an academic advisor. After declaring their certification area, students are also assigned a faculty mentor.

Non-native English speakers must score a minimum of 6 on the IELTS or 80 on the iBT or 550 on the paper-based TOEFL exam AND score a 6 on the Speaking Section of the IELTS or 6 on the Speaking Section of the iBT, or pass an interview with personnel from Saint Louis University’s ESOL office.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly and carefully reviewed. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary criterion in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the University’s academic requirements and to qualify the student for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be approaching graduation from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 credits at a regionally accredited higher education institution. Those having completed 24 credits at a regionally accredited higher education institution need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation 

The School of Education at Saint Louis University is accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). To contact CAEP:

1140 19th St NW #400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-0077

1. Graduates will be able to formulate arguments for ethical decision making that are informed by morals, values, and theological principles.
2. Graduates will be able to  use reflection to articulate their role serving others in educational contexts.
3. Graduates will be able to  analyze educational problems and present solutions for solving those problems.
4. Graduates will be able to  explain the role culture plays in educational settings and in the learning process.
5. Graduates will be able to  utilize technology to exchange information and share experiences in the context of teaching and learning.

Early Childhood Education: Birth to Grade 3

In addition to the Education Program Core Requirements, the following courses must be successfully completed.

Early Childhood Special Education: Birth to Grade 3

In addition to the Education Program Core Requirements, the following courses must be successfully completed.

Elementary Education: Grades 1 - 6

In addition to the Education Program Core Requirements, the following courses must be successfully completed.

Certification: Elementary (1-6) with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K-12)

In addition to the Education Program Core Requirements, the following courses must be successfully completed.

Non-Course Requirements

All students in the teacher certification program are required by the State of Missouri to take and pass the following:

• Missouri General Education Assessment (MoGEA);
• the appropriate Missouri Content Exam (MOCA); and
• the Missouri Educator Evaluation System (MEES) performance evaluation. 

Continuation Standards

Minimum 2.75 Cumulative GPA for acceptance and retention. Earn a C or better in all prerequisites for upper division courses in Education. A grade of “C-” does not satisfy the requirement. All University requirements in Education and the core areas for the degree in the School of Education must be met.

Minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required in all Professional Education course, with no grade less than C. A grade of “C-” does not satisfy the requirement. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 is required for certification. Students must complete all the blocks in the program sequence. Blocks should be taken in total.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3)

Program Notes

• Minimum Cumulative GPA for state certification is a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum Education GPA for state certification is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Grades of C or higher will be accepted. A C- will not count toward degree requirements and the course will need to be repeated before progressing in the program.

Early Childhood Special Education (Birth to Grade 3)

Program Notes

• Minimum Cumulative GPA for state certification is a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum Education GPA for state certification is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Grades of C or higher will be accepted. A C- will not count toward degree requirements and the course will need to be repeated before progressing in the program.

Elementary Education (Grades 1-6)

Program Notes

• Minimum Cumulative GPA for state certification is a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum Education GPA for state certification is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Grades of C or higher will be accepted. A C- will not count toward degree requirements and the course will need to be repeated before progressing in the program.

Dual Certification: Elementary (1-6) with Mild/Moderate Disabilities (K-12)

Program Notes

• Minimum Cumulative GPA for state certification is a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Minimum Education GPA for state certification is a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Grades of C or higher will be accepted. A C- will not count toward degree requirements and the course will need to be repeated before progressing in the program.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions please contact,
SLU School of Education
(314) 977-3292
slued@slu.edu