Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Programs

Elementary Education (BS)

About

Every child deserves a teacher who cares and can help make education engaging, motivating and authentic. Appalachian State University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education prepares you to become a teacher for kindergarten through grade six and earn a North Carolina teaching license – but it also does more than that. This degree empowers you to widen a child’s view, spur his or her curiosity and learning potential, and build community.

To make sure you’re ready for the classroom, the Reich College of Education is dedicated to giving you a wealth of practice – including multiple field experiences, internships and service-learning opportunities – before you even start your student teaching.

After Graduation

Employment: Students are typically hired throughout North Carolina as well as in surrounding states. Appalachian has teacher licensure reciprocity with 37 states.

Professional Licensure

This is a program that can lead to licensure or certification in North Carolina. Appalachian State University cannot confirm whether this program will meet the requirements for professional licensure in other states or territories.

If this applies to you, check the Professional Licensure webpage for information on licensure requirements and licensing agencies in other states. Or, you may address questions to State Authorization at App State at stateauthorization@appstate.edu or 828-262-7559.

People

  • Alumni Profile: App State leads nation in board certified teachers
    Alumni Profile: App State leads nation in board certified teachers

    For the sixth consecutive year, App State tops the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards’ list of “Top 50 Alma Maters by Total Number of NBCTs,” leading the nation for the number of National Board Certified Teachers — 2,211.

  • Alumna Profile: Sarah Peatross ’18
    Alumna Profile: Sarah Peatross ’18

    Peatross works as a first-grade teacher for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools at the Whitaker Elementary School, the same elementary school she attended.

  • Alumna Profile: Stephanie Gelbert ’12
    Alumna Profile: Stephanie Gelbert ’12

    Stephanie Gelbert teaches fourth grade at Rama Road Elementary in Charlotte and recently received her National Board Certification.

  • Alumna Profile: Kelly Johnson ’02
    Alumna Profile: Kelly Johnson ’02

    Johnson holds National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification and is a STEAM teacher and facilitator for Mount Airy City Schools in Mount Airy.

Courses

  • Program of Study
    Program of Study
  • Four Year Guide
    Four Year Guide

    Click on the pdf for your major

  • NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide
    NCCC Transfer Four Year Guide

Related Programs

  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Language Arts and Mathematics
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Language Arts and Science
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Mathematics and Science
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Mathematics and Social Studies
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Science and Social Studies
  • Middle Grades Education (BS) - Language Arts and Social Studies
  • Child Development (BS) - Family and Child Studies (non-licensure)
  • Child Development (BS) - Birth through Kindergarten (licensure)

Minors

A minor is not required, but students are required to have a Second Academic Concentration. See options and their requirements.

View all minors

Engagement Outside the Classroom

Appalachian Educators – Open to all education majors. It sponsors service events and provides professional development and leadership opportunities.

College Middle Level Association (CMLA) – Its purpose is to better the advancement and recognition of middle grade educators.

Association for Middle Level Education — An international organization for middle school educators.

Kappa Delta Pi – The national honorary education fraternity.

Prospective Teachers of Mathematics – Promotes awareness for the mathematics teaching profession.

North Carolina Association of Educators – The student chapter of the organization that provides one voice for educators and public school employees.

View all student organization contacts

Global Learning

Appalachian is committed to introducing students to different cultures and teaching them how to live and interact in a global society.  Opportunities for education majors include international student teaching.

Admission Requirements

ON CAMPUS

Admission to Appalachian’s Teacher Education Program is required.

HICKORY CAMPUS

Admission to Appalachian’s Teacher Education Program is required.

  • Start term: Fall
  • Application deadline: Aug. 1
  • Full-time or part time: Full-time

To be admissible to our Hickory Campus Elementary Education program, you must have:

  • 30 hours of transferable coursework
  • R C 1000
  • MAT 1010 or higher

Want to know if you are ready to apply to our Hickory Campus program? Use the tool below to self-evaluate whether you meet program entry requirements.

Program Entry Requirements Evaluation
apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Want to learn more?

Register for Info Session
Costs and Aid

Why Appalachian?

  • Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
  • The Elementary Education program is committed to rigorous preparation, from the planning and implementing of instruction, to evaluating and reflecting.
  • The program emphasizes preparing future elementary teachers to meet the needs of all students, including students of diverse backgrounds and with special learning needs.
  • The National Council of Teacher Quality has recognized Appalachian’s undergraduate elementary program as a leader in North Carolina teacher preparation.

Location

Boone and Hickory*

*The Hickory Campus location is pending accreditation from SACSCOC for this program. Accreditation is expected in summer 2023.

Careers

  • Elementary School Teacher
  • Non-formal Teaching Positions
  • Environment Education Center Director
  • Museum Docent
  • Non-profit Advocate
  • Charter School Teacher
  • Summer Camp Instructor

View more career possibilities

Department of Public Instruction Licensure information

Steps to a NC Professional Educator’s License

North Carolina Public Schools Jobs

Contacts

Reich College of Education
Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Dr. Leslie Bradbury
Elementary Education Program Director
upsonlk@appstate.edu
828-262-2014

  • Department of Curriculum and Instruction

    The Department of Curriculum and Instruction offers a broad range of comprehensive degree programs at the baccalaureate and master’s level. The department seeks to provide quality programs that emphasize an integration of academics and field experiences.

  • Reich College of Education

    Approximately 2,400 students

    • The Reich College of Education enrolls approximately 2,400 students in its bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist and doctoral degree programs. It houses five departments: Curriculum and Instruction, Family and Child Studies, Human Development and Psychological Counseling, Leadership and Educational Studies, and Reading Education and Special Education.

    Teacher preparation

    • Appalachian has been training quality educators for more than 100 years and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
    • Appalachian offers the largest undergraduate teacher preparation program in North Carolina, graduating about 500 teachers a year.  There is at least one RCOE graduate working in every county in North Carolina.
    • The Reich College of Education is recognized consistently in the annual Institution of Higher Education Performance Report by the State Board of Education.

    Close ties to public schools

    • The Appalachian State University Public School Partnership – which includes 125 schools in nine surrounding districts – provides sites for student teachers and interns as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.
    • The Appalachian State University Academy at Middle Fork, located in Walkertown, North Carolina, serves over 300 K-5 students. The Academy provides a balanced education through the implementation of research-based practices, state-of-the-art literacy instruction, and exemplary classroom instruction and administration.

    Graduate programs

    • The School of Graduate Studies’ Accelerated Admission program, in which select undergraduate students can fulfill both undergraduate and graduate course requirements in their senior year toward the completion of a graduate degree program, is offered in: higher education, reading education and special education.
    • Other education-related master’s degrees, graduate certificates and specialist degrees are listed on Appalachian’s School of Graduate Studies website.

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • App State at Hickory
  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units..

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2023 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback