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Elementary and Middle Grades Education (BSE)

Transform Lives Through Education

Through the Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE) in Elementary and Middle Grade Education program in the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Dayton, you'll learn the knowledge and skills necessary to inspire young learners. This dual-track program helps you develop strong pedagogical foundations and content knowledge for teaching at elementary and middle grade levels. It also prepares you for a state of Ohio license to teach in the eligible grade band.

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Fast Facts

A+ Ranking from NCTQ

in Elementary Mathematics and Reading

96% first-time pass

rate for Ohio Resident Educator license

About the Elementary and Middle Grades Education (BSE) Program

Why study elementary and middle grades education at UD?

Nationally Recognized Programs

The University of Dayton is the only institution in Ohio that has an A+ rating from National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) in both reading and math, one of just 10 across the entire country. Our program is also rated as "Accredited Plus" by the International Dyslexia Association.

Educating the Whole Person

The elementary and middle grades education program at UD prepares future teachers through a blend of common academic programming and pedagogical coursework rooted in the Marianist educational philosophy. Marianist institutions emphasize educating the whole person, learning in community, service to others, adaptation and change and a commitment to social justice.

Two Tracks

Whether you are already planning your future classroom or just beginning to explore a career in education, our program supports your teaching goals. Currently, our program offers two distinct licensure tracks:

  • Elementary Education: Prepares you to earn your license to teach Pre-K through fifth grade.
  • Middle Grade Education: Prepares you to earn your license to teach fourth through ninth grade.

You can enroll in our current elementary or middle grade tracks today with confidence, knowing we will smoothly guide you through any transition as the new K–8 license becomes available.

If you have questions about which track fits your career goals best, please reach out to your counselor or stop by our office.

Teaching Experience

By the time you graduate, you'll have 800+ hours of experience in local schools — double the State of Ohio's minimum requirement.

Classroom observation and field experience begin during year one and continue during years two and three. During year four, you'll participate in student teaching. This full-time teaching experience includes supervision and evaluation to assist you in your continued growth and development as an educator.

Certificates

You will have the option to add a variety of certificates to enhance your professional credentials. Examples might include dyslexia, TESOL, STEM, Urban Teacher Academy and more.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about elementary and middle grade education at UD.

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How do I apply to the elementary and middle grades education program?

At the University of Dayton, applying is free and test scores are optional. When you apply, you'll automatically be considered for a merit scholarship.

Learn about our admission process, then apply using UD's application or the Common App.

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What is the tuition cost and is financial aid available?

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation rates and post-placement success rates, UD is an excellent value.

To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time student work are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.

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Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Elementary and Middle Grades Education (BSE) Degree Information and Tracks
About the Degree

The elementary and middle grades education program at the University of Dayton prepares future teachers to serve and lead in diverse learning environments. Through a dual-track design, candidates develop strong pedagogical foundations and content knowledge for teaching at elementary and middle grade levels.

Coursework emphasizes a Marianist teacher education foundation, the Common Academic Program curriculum, which supports individual interests and goals while developing foundational habits of inquiry and reflection and teacher education classes in pedagogy and classroom practices.

Students engage in early and sustained field experiences that connect theory to practice and culminate in a semester of student teaching. Completion of the program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Education and meets curriculum requirements for a state of Ohio license to teach in the eligible grade band.

Elementary and middle grades majors can choose a track in elementary or middle grades. Both of these traditional pathways remain fully available to you right now. However, the state of Ohio is preparing to transition to a unified K–8 Teaching License.

As this state-wide update approaches, our team is prepared and ready to integrate this new option. You will have even more flexibility and broader career opportunities upon graduation, all while continuing to receive the same dedicated preparation you expect from our program today.

Elementary

The elementary track prepares future teachers to serve and lead in diverse learning environments at the elementary level. Coursework emphasizes classes in pedagogy and classroom practices that integrate theory with practical application for elementary grades. Students engage in early and sustained field experiences that connect coursework to real classroom contexts and culminate in a semester of student teaching.

View the elementary sample plan of study.

Middle Grades

The middle grades track prepares future teachers to serve and lead in diverse learning environments at the middle grades level. Coursework emphasizes classes in pedagogy and classroom practices that integrate theory with practical application for middle grades. Middle grades educators select two of four available content-area concentrations — science, mathematics, language arts or social studies — to develop interdisciplinary expertise and depth in their chosen fields. Students engage in early and sustained field experiences that connect coursework to real classroom contexts and culminate in a semester of student teaching.

View the middle grades plan of study.

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Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study: Elementary

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2026-27 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations and your personal goals and interests. Please contact the recruitment and admission team (prospective students) or your holistic advisor (current students) with questions.

Semester 1
  • EDT 101 – Introduction to the University
    1
  • EDT 109 – Personal Aspects of Teaching
    3
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • MTH 204 – Mathematical Concepts I
    3
  • CAP Arts
    3
  • Science Lecture
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 2
  • EDT 110 – The Profession of Teaching
    3
  • EDT 110L – The Profession of Teaching Laboratory
    0
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • MTH 205 – Mathematical Concepts II
    3
  • CAP Adv Hist
    3
  • CAP Faith Traditions/Adv Rel
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 3
  • EDT 341 – Language Development, English Language Learners and Emergent Literacy
    3
  • EDT 305 – Philosophy and History of American Education
    3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • Additional Science Lecture
    3
  • Science Lab
    1
  • CAP Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 4
  • EDT 207 – Child and Adolescent in Education
    3
  • EDT 207L – Child and Adolescent in Education Laboratory
    0
  • EDT 450 – Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Fluency
    3
  • EDT 350 – Foundations of Literacy through Literature
    3
  • POL/ECO/HST Elective
    3
  • Advisor-Approved Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 5
  • EDT 340 – Educating Diverse Student Populations in Inclusive Settings
    3
  • EDT 340L – Educating Diverse Student Populations in Inclusive Settings Laboratory
    0
  • EDT 415 – Working with Young Learners with Mild to Moderate Disabilities
    3
  • Advisor-Approved Electives
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 12
Semester 6
  • EDT 313 – Developmentally & Individually Appropriate Practice
    3
  • EDT 313L – Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Lab
    0
  • EDT 453 – Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Writing across the Content Areas
    3
  • Electives
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 12
Semester 7
  • EDT 454 – Methods of Literacy Assessment, Instruction, and Intervention
    3
  • EDT 412 – Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Mathematics for Early Childhood
    3
  • EDT 403 – Pedagogy and Practices in Social Studies
    3
  • EDT 414 – Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Science for Early Childhood
    3
  • EDT 405 – Primary Field Internship K-5
    1
  • Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 8
  • EDT 478 – Student Teaching In Grades PK-5
    12
  • EDT 483 – Grades PK-5 Education Capstone Seminar
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Academic Admission FAQ
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Sample Plan of Study: Middle Grades

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2026-27 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations and your personal goals and interests. Please contact the recruitment and admission team (prospective students) or your holistic advisor (current students) with questions.

Semester 1
  • EDT 101 – Introduction to the University
    1
  • EDT 109 – Personal Aspects of Teaching
    3
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • CAP Math
    3
  • CAP Natural Science
    3
  • CAP Arts
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 2
  • EDT 110 – The Profession of Teaching
    3
  • EDT 110L – The Profession of Teaching Laboratory
    0
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • Concentration Option
    3
  • CAP Social Science
    3
  • Concentration
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 3
  • EDT 207 – Child and Adolescent in Education
    3
  • EDT 207L – Child and Adolescent in Education Laboratory
    0
  • EDT 305 – Philosophy and History of American Education
    3
  • EDT 341 – Language Development, English Language Learners and Emergent Literacy
    3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • EDT 350 – Foundations of Literacy through Literature
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 4
  • EDT 340 – Educating Diverse Student Populations in Inclusive Settings
    3
  • EDT 340L – Educating Diverse Student Populations in Inclusive Settings Laboratory
    0
  • EDT 341 – Language Development, English Language Learners and Emergent Literacy
    3
  • EDT 450 – Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Fluency
    3
  • EDT 415 – Working with Young Learners with Mild to Moderate Disabilities
    3
  • Concentration
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 5
  • EDT 338 – Teaching, Learning and Management
    3
  • EDT 338L – Teaching, Learning and Management Laboratory
    0
  • Concentrations
    6
  • CAP Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 12
Semester 6
  • CAP Electives
    6
  • Concentrations
    9
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 7
  • EDT 454 – Methods of Literacy for Early Childhood
    3
  • EDT 405 – Primary Field Internship K-5
    1
  • Concentration 1 Methods
    3
  • Concentration 2 Methods
    3
  • Concentrations
    6
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 8
  • EDT 478 – Student Teaching In Grades PK-5
    12
  • EDT 483 – Grades PK-5 Education Capstone Seminar
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Academic Admission FAQ
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Transfer and Exam Credits

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Transfer and Exam Credits

Success After Graduation

Get more than your foot in the door — get ready for success. At our School of Education and Health Sciences, you will have the opportunity to combine classroom and practical learning opportunities like observation and student teaching in a way that allows you to further sharpen your skills. It's a key reason why employers love hiring our students — they can hit the ground running.

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Fast Facts

100% success rate

after graduation for School of Education and Health Sciences Majors

Beyond the Classroom: The UD Elementary and Middle Grades Education Experience

Urban Teacher Academy

Undergraduate certificate program that prepares students who are interested in urban teaching to be culturally competent educators that can understand and respond to the needs and challenges of urban students, families and schools.

Explore the Urban Teacher Academy Certificate

Education Abroad

Summer programs in Ireland, England and Italy offer opportunities to explore museums, churches and schools through the lens of an educator. 

Explore Education Abroad

Student Opportunities

Be a part of UD student organizations created especially for teacher education majors. Opportunities include tutoring at local elementary schools, attending teaching conferences (national, state and local) and participating in professional development programs.

Explore Student Opportunities

Observation and Field Experience

Through practical learning opportunities like classroom observation and student teaching (internship), you can build your resume, gain practical experience and prepare for a successful career.

Explore Student Teaching
Walk. Run. Fly. Soar.

Success is a Journey

At the University of Dayton, you'll have a supportive community dedicated to fueling your success. Through guaranteed, real-world experience, you'll build the skills and confidence needed to be workforce ready.

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