Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Science (BS)
- Undergraduate Major
Modes of study:
At the University of Southern Maine (USM), you gain in-depth experience in local schools and learn from dedicated faculty who engage you in a progressive, equity-centered curriculum. Your well-rounded education includes courses across the University. You graduate prepared to teach all subject areas from kindergarten to sixth grade.
Unparalleled student teaching experience
We offer you more direct classroom experience than any other program in the state
Award-winning alumni
Our graduates are routinely named local, county, and state Teachers of the Year
145+ years of excellence in teacher training
Establish your roots within our proud legacy stretching back to the founding of the Gorham Normal School in 1878
Academic catalog
Our engaging curriculum offers an integrative and rigorous liberal education.
Program duration
Typical completion time: 4 years. Flexible options may save time.
Department & School
Admissions
SAT & ACT scores optional. Early action & year-round admissions.
Embrace the challenges & rewards of teaching
USM’s Elementary Education program is an authentic and immersive experience. From day one, you connect the theory and practice of educating the whole child, with coursework in child development, special education, arts, and culturally responsive practices. You learn from deeply dedicated educators whose scholarly interests include equity and inclusion, critical race theory, citizen science, and place-based history. A built-in support network is with you every step of the way.
Connect with young learners & their communities
Teacher preparation at USM centers on our long-standing partnerships with 30+ school districts across southern Maine. You learn from experienced mentor teachers in urban, suburban, and rural settings, preparing you to work in some of the most culturally and linguistically diverse schools on the East Coast. After earning your teaching certification, you can join the profound legacy of USM grads who return to and become embedded in the communities where they completed their student teaching.
Find your teaching philosophy & style
At USM, fieldwork begins your first year and culminates with an intensive year-long internship. During your first three years of study, you observe and participate in K-6 classrooms. Your senior year focuses on student teaching in two different grade levels with experienced teacher mentors, leveling up to 30 hours of direct instruction each week. You graduate knowing what grade level you’d most like to teach and how to reach those students with confidence.
Where can you go with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education?
Embark on a meaningful career
USM-trained K-6 teachers are highly sought-after by school districts across Maine, with a nearly 100% placement rate after certification. Many alumni become Nationally Board Certified Teachers, serve as teacher leaders, or as administrators.
We’re here to help answer questions about costs
What to expect when you major in Elementary Education
Diverse, expert faculty
Study with faculty from both the Teacher Education department and the subject(s) you will teach. This unique approach ensures a superior background in educator preparation and mastery of liberal arts, math, and science.
National accreditation
As a program within the School of Education and Human Development, we are nationally accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and state-approved by the Maine Department of Education.
More teacher certification options
Interested in another grade level or content area? We also offer Teacher Education programs for Secondary Education (6-12), visual and performing arts (PreK-12), and world languages (PreK-12).
Next steps
Our undergraduate admissions counselors are here to answer your questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.