Gain the foundation for certification and endorsements necessary to meet the hiring demand for qualified educators.
Our Elementary Education specialization within the existing IDLS BA gives undergraduates the education needed to be certified to be an Elementary School Teacher in the state of Washington.
Top 10% Liberal Arts Studies
When you specialize in Elementary Education, you complete the IDLS major requirements, profession-oriented courses offered by the College of Education (EDLS courses) and prerequisite courses. The combination addresses all the competencies demanded by the Professional Educator Standards Board for teacher certification in Washington state.
The specialization is distinguished by its persistent, developing and accumulated field experience culminating in clinical internship, and by proficiencies in science and math. Through field experiences, the specialization includes emphasis and experience on understanding how to serve special education students.
I chose to pursue an IDLS major with an EDLS specialization because I want to be able to walk away with a degree that I know teaches me how to solve problems creatively, lean into different disciplines effectively, and push me as a future educator to collaborate with specialists and students in whatever they are passionate about.
Not only am I getting my teaching certification, but I also have the opportunity to explore other interests in my IDLS classes….As a future teacher, I know my students will benefit from instruction that emphasizes the interconnectedness of people, ideas, and the world.
I chose to pursue an IDLS/EDLS degree because I didn't feel like I would fit into a tunnel-visioned disciplinary education program. IDLS with an Elementary Ed specialization teaches a versatile set of skills that can be applied to any situation while also preparing future teachers with the knowledge required to work in education….The interdisciplinary skills learned can be directly applied to the education portion of this degree which creates a future teacher who is well-rounded and able to find unique approaches to teaching elementary students.
I chose to pursue the IDLS program with a specialization in education because I value the unique skill of being able to view issues through the lens of multiple disciplines. This will help me to become a well-rounded and confident educator…. Even though I'm only a freshman, I see the potential this program has to prepare me for my career.
With an Elementary Ed degree, I will be well equipped to help my students in a variety of situations with my knowledge of multiple disciplines…. There is a full team of educators, advisors, and professors who want you to succeed. Each one of us are important to them and you can tell!
The most valuable aspect for me has been the field experience at a nearby elementary school, which gave me the opportunity to apply my learning from lectures and projects in a real classroom setting.
With a broad-based and values-focused education from the IDLS Elementary Education specialization program, there’s no end to the difference our graduates make. Our alumni teach in public schools such as Seattle Public Schools and Highline School District, private schools in the Northwest, Europe and Asia. Others have chosen to put their skills to work for the State of Washington, AmeriCorps, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America, YMCA, and other organizations.
The combination of IDLS, EDLS, and pre-requisites addresses all the competencies demanded by the Professional Educator Standards Board to be a certified Elementary Teacher in Washington state.
Credits: minimum of 180 credits
Credits in major: 105
GPA cumulative minimum: 2.0
GPA major minimum: 2.0
COURSES INCLUDE
IDLS Courses:
Education Courses: All EDLS courses are field-based.
5 credits of Humanities electives at the 3000-4000 level.
5 credits of Social Science electives at the 3000-4000 level.
A UCOR course cannot count for both Core and the major.
No more than 15 credits from this major will be counted towards any minor.
40 credits in the major must be taken at the 3000-4000 level; 25 of these must be taken at Seattle University.
For complete information on courses, pre-requisites, etc., use this information in conjunction with the online Catalog for the current year.
Our IDLS program is the first and only program on the West Coast to qualify for a chapter of the national honor society for interdisciplinary studies. Induction into Alpha Iota Sigma is a prestigious distinction awarded only to the most outstanding students.
Learn more about life on campus and in Seattle