As a UD Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 major, you'll learn the knowledge and skills necessary to inspire young learners. The program integrates coursework in child development, content, preparation for teaching and working with children with special learning needs, along with hands-on experience and support from your UD community. 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. A STEM lab and Curriculum Materials Center are among the numerous resources available to students.

Undergraduate Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 students are also able to add an intervention specialist licensure option to their degree. UD also offers an undergraduate certificate in prekindergarten special needs, and graduate-level certificates and endorsements for pre-kindergarten special needs.

Classroom observation & field experience begins during year one and continues through your whole college experience. You will receive 800 field hours in local schools, which is double the State of Ohio's requirement. During year four, you will participate in student teaching. This full-time teaching experience includes formative supervision to assist you in your continued growth and development as an educator.

800
field hours in local school districts
100%
of undergraduate students are employed, in grad school or in a full-time service program within six months of graduation
96%
first-time pass rate for Ohio Resident Educator license

A High-Quality Education

Observation & Field Experience

Student Organizations

Teach in U.S. or Abroad

800 Hours in the Field

From year one, undergraduate students are in one of our partnering local schools, logging observation hours as part of their coursework and exposure to the profession of teaching. Field-based experience continues during years two and three. The field experiences in the first 3 years gives students well over 100 hours of learning in the field. Student teaching (internship) takes place during year four, which is over 600 hours in a gradual release model. The Bombeck Family Learning Center serves as a demonstration school for Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 majors. Second-year students actively participate in the classrooms at this 5-star rated facility during their year-long field practicum, learning best practices as they prepare to become teachers.

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Service Opportunities With Fellow Teacher Education Students

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 & local) and participating in professional development programs.

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Where Will Our Programs Take You?

Graduates work in a variety of public and private educational settings. Many go on to earn advanced degrees or pursue careers as principals and superintendents. We have alumni teaching all across the country and around the world.

Explore Flyer First Destination Survey Results

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Visit Campus

Interested in learning more about the Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 5 program? We'd love to meet with you. Schedule an academic appointment by contacting sehsadvisingoffice@udayton.edu. You can also choose to schedule a general campus tour and admission presentation.

Campus Tour and Admission Presentation

Featured Programs and Initiatives

Urban Teacher Academy

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.

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Undergraduate Research

Students participate in the University of Dayton's annual Stander Symposium, a campus-wide event that allows students from all disciplines to showcase their intellectual accomplishments.

Explore the Stander Symposium

Study Abroad

Summer programs in Ireland, England and Italy offer opportunities to explore museums, churches and schools through the lens of an educator. The Malawi Practicum allows opportunities to gain graduate-level research and fieldwork experience in Africa.

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Lalanne

Specialized program for teacher education graduates pursuing a master's degree at UD. Lalanne teachers benefit from two years of mentored teaching experience and live in community with other Lalanne teachers.

Explore Lalanne

Experiential Learning

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.